Current Events > Russia sets referendum dates hours after Putin tells Erdogan he wants to end war

(+) Yeah! (+)

Looks like the war is entering the next phase. Russia will have their sham referendums, immediately annex all the currently occupied territory, and then tell the world that if anyone attacks "russia" they'll get nuked. Where things go from there will be uncharted territory, but it's clear the war is going to get a big shake-up in September.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62965993

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he believes Russia's leader is seeking an end to the war he began in Ukraine, and that a "significant step" will be made.'

He said his impression from recent talks with Vladimir Putin was that he wanted to "end this as soon as possible".

*hours later*

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62965998

Almost seven months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, areas under Moscow's control have announced plans for urgent so-called referendums on joining Russia.

The deputy head of Russia's security council, Dmitry Medvedev, said early on Tuesday that holding votes in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk - also known as Donbas - would correct "historical justice" and be irreversible: "After the amendments to the constitution of our state, no future leader of Russia, no official will be able to reverse these decisions."

Soon afterwards the two breakaway Russian-backed authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk said they would stage votes on 23-27 September. They were both recognised as independent by President Vladimir Putin three days before Russian troops invaded Ukraine from north, east and south.

Russian-installed officials in the southern region of Kherson said they would also hold a vote, and a similar declaration came from Russian-occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia.

A truly historic vote where 123% of the population somehow vote for Putin.

FunkyCat posted...

A truly historic vote where 123% of the population somehow vote for Putin.

140%*
it did happen in 2011.

Nah, sorry. That's not how this works, Russia.

For those that are wondering "what's the big deal", Russia hasn't actually declared war yet, which technically limits the resources they can dedicate to the fight. With them starting to lose ground, analysts are starting to wonder when, not if, Russia will formally declare war. Once they annex these territories in a sham referendum, any attack on those locations will be "attacks on Russian soil" which would be enough justification for Putin to get full war powers. That could lead to a Russian military draft, increased justification for using long range missiles to hit infrastructure targets elsewhere in the country, and push them one step closer to using other heavy weapons not yet deployed.

Not to say all that will definitely happen, but what we're seeing here is the groundwork being laid for a "second offensive" by Russia going into winter.

s0nicfan posted...

For those that are wondering "what's the big deal", Russia hasn't actually declared war yet, which technically limits the resources they can dedicate to the fight. With them starting to lose ground, analysts are starting to wonder when, not if, Russia will formally declare war. Once they annex these territories in a sham referendum, any attack on those locations will be "attacks on Russian soil" which would be enough justification for Putin to get full war powers. That could lead to a Russian military draft, increased justification for using long range missiles to hit infrastructure targets elsewhere in the country, and push them one step closer to using other heavy weapons not yet deployed.

Not to say all that will definitely happen, but what we're seeing here is the groundwork being laid for a "second offensive" by Russia going into winter.

What good are soldiers when theyve lost a significant amount of armament. Like others have said, get fucked Putin. You dont get to shake up the world, commit crimes against humanity and end it whenever you like.

JuanCarlos1 posted...

What good are soldiers when theyve lost a significant amount of armament. Like others have said, get fucked Putin. You dont get to shake up the world, commit crimes against humanity and end it whenever you like.

Do you think Lizzo is hot?

Bump. Russia activated their reserves this morning and warned any attack on "Russian territory" would be met with nukes, so more or less exactly what people have been predicting.

s0nicfan posted...

Bump. Russia activated their reserves this morning and warned any attack on "Russian territory" would be met with nukes, so more or less exactly what people have been predicting.

Lol, played by Putin again

s0nicfan posted...

Bump. Russia activated their reserves this morning and warned any attack on "Russian territory" would be met with nukes, so more or less exactly what people have been predicting.

No he won't nuke anyone. He's trying to fear monger out of a disaster situation.

s0nicfan posted...

Bump. Russia activated their reserves this morning and warned any attack on "Russian territory" would be met with nukes, so more or less exactly what people have been predicting.

can't Ukraine do a "special operation" on those area? it's not an attack.

Ricemills posted...

can't Ukraine do a "special operation" on those area? it's not an attack.

I was thinking this

Takuya_Lee posted...

No he won't nuke anyone. He's trying to fear monger out of a disaster situation.

There's a reason Ukraine hasn't made a single attempt to invade Russia Proper

Takuya_Lee posted...

No he won't nuke anyone. He's trying to fear monger out of a disaster situation.

Generally I agree. Putin uses nuclear threats the way a little kid might threaten to go get his dad, but I'm starting to see real analysts highlighting that as things get more desperate for russia, the likelihood of them actually using tactical nukes starts to get real:
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-62970683

Dr Robert Seely, MP for Isle of Wight and a specialist on Russian warfare, warns that the West should assume Putins threat to use nuclear weapons in his war in Ukraine is real. Senior UK ministers and officials have previously dismissed such a threat as bluster.

"At some point", says Seely, "probably as Russian troops face major collapse in south-east Ukraine over the next six to nine months, Putin will either use or come close to using tactical nuclear weapons".

Seely, who holds a PhD in Russian warfare, says Putins actions are those of a leader facing conventional defeat on the battlefield.

"Mobilisation of Russias reserves, the threat of nuclear weapons, and the annexation of territory are all actions designed to shore up a collapsing war effort."

He believes Putins aim right now is to frighten the West into stopping supplying Ukraine with the weapons it needs to defend itself.

"If Putin can break that link, he can still win," says Seely. "Hence in part, the nuclear threat."

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-717706

Putin announces partial mobilization, NATO deems it 'reckless'

Stoltenberg said Putin's moves demonstrated "that the war is not going according to his plans" and it was clear that the Russian president had made "a big miscalculation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilization in Russia during a pre-recorded speech on Wednesday. The mobilization will begin immediately.
Only reservists will be called up, with a focus on those with experience, said Putin. The president added that militants in the Luhansk and Donbass Peoples Republics will be considered as soldiers of the Russian Federation going forward.

last part is important

WingsOfGood posted...

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-717706

last part is important

Those militants chances of surviving just went way down.

Russia's economy is weak and more soldiers aren't going to help much if they can't properly equip, train, and supply them. Plus, mobilizing reserves is likely to not play very well. Morale and leadership are already poor.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has essentially infinite amounts of certain kinds of hardware as well as the ability to rotate its forces in and out of active combat, and Russia escalating could help its suppliers get over their reluctance to furnish Ukraine with certain kinds of hardware.

Mia_K97 posted...

There's a reason Ukraine hasn't made a single attempt to invade Russia Proper

theyve been rather busy defending their own territory