Senate Russia: its impact on the world, its invasion of Ukraine, and its future

"So... can we still have our guys back anyway?"

 

This - difficulty tracking them - is just one of the many dangers associated with tactical nukes.

 

So Russia is now accusing Urkaine of "election interference" when there is only one candidate on the ballot. Interesting concept. I wonder if there is any US politicians who love to try that. *rolls eyes*

 

There were four candidates for President on the Russian ballot, actually. It’s just that there were people with guns making sure that those three got as few votes as possible.

 

It's a time honor tradition in Russia:

 

And you're a teacher?
God save America

 

There’s validity to that; I didn’t disagree.

I just think it’s also fearmongering and borderline propaganda to publicize that while simultaneously admitting that no intelligence reports indicated that the Russians were mobilizing at all.

 

The three candidates all ran campaigns that basically amounted to "Putin is the best, vote for him".
Also, Putin wanted some people to vote for the fake candidates, because getting 100% of the vote just looks bad

 

I know.

 

Damn. why didn't I put a bet on?

 

Reports of an attack in Moscow:
Shooting and blast reported at concert hall near Moscow
RIA agency says at least three people in camouflage gear opened fire, while Tass reports a blast and a fire

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/22/moscow-concert-hall-shooting-blast

 

Weeks ago, US and European embassies issued some pretty explicit warnings of an event like this being imminent, on top of most of their travel advisories already being "Do not travel" due to the political environment.

Russia probably dropped the ball on this one. It sounds like there was intelligence that either we had, or more likely that they shared with us about this going to happen in the very near future and they weren't able to thwart it.

Security Alert: Avoid Large Gatherings over the Next 48 Hours

 

It's at least 40 dead, over a hundred wounded. But it was a concert hall with lots of people to prepare for the number to rise. Seemingly from what little I've seen on posts, Russia was already stopping one planned attack on a place, and now this happened.

I've seen things blaming things in multiple directions of who is behind it, but it's too early for that right now. Besides seemingly 1 of them being captured, they need to stop the rest and rescue the people inside as they set fire to the halls and the roof is collapsing...that takes precedence

 

You saying that reminds me of the time that terrorist group tried to take hostages and Putin just released gas on everyone in the area, perpetrators and victims alike? Hopefully there's more thought about civilians this time.

 

Freaking ISIS claiming responsibility, those tollbags

 

I had to look it up. Sure enough, several reports are saying that. Now whether it was ACTUALLY ISIS or they're just trying to claim in is another thing.

If it is really them, it's definitely cause of Syria...great. it's been awhile since we've heard from them..

 

This isn't really all that surprising.
Putin has always been cracking down on his enemies, but specifically focused on less fascist internal foes. And why not? The ultranationalist megaconservatives were always supporters of Putin in the past.
However, they have been using his 'hands-off' approach to criticize the Ukraine war effort... in that they feel he isn't doing enough to decimate Ukraine completely. That they were allowed to say such things was supposedly a sign that Putin wasn't all dictatorial; but that changed when Wagner Group turned on him. Afterwards, Putin turned his attention on the ultranationalists that weren't backing him 100% and threatening them with fines and imprisonment if they spoke out against him.
I mean, it could be something else here as little to no information about the attackers is being released right now (which to me is telling), but a picture-book definition of terrorist attack - one that has no military value, designed to cause panic, fear and anger in the populace - right after Putin's sham electoral win is, to me, a blatant message.
At least we know who wasn't responsible, as the Chechen leadership quickly disavowed any connection (as has been mentioned in the thread, they were busy with terrorist acts in Russia a couple decades ago).
Whomever is responsible, I have a bad feeling that more of these attacks might be happening in the future.

 

The US said that a splinter group ISIS-K was planning an attack, it seems like thier MO

 

Has there ever been a terror attack where the group that claimed responsibility wasn't the actual culprit?

 

Interesting. Looks like confirmation that ISIS-K was responsible - they've been waging a campaign against Russia (and Iran) for the past couple of years. It was, indeed, a message to Putin - and, likely a consequence of the ongoing Middle East instability (i.e. the ISIS attack on Iran, that then led Iran to, you know, murder 'non-person' kids with missiles in Pakistan).

 

Moscow terror attack: 4 gunmen arrested, death toll rises to 133

sounds like Russia is working on an angle to still blame Ukraine despite ISIS' claim of responsibility.

 

Putin’s going to say the ISIS terrorists were harbored by Ukraine, or had safe haven there, and use that as a justification for some serious brutality in the war there.

 

Ukraine harboring both Nazis and ISIS-K? Yeah that seems plausible! Who needs consistent ideology in the terrorist homeland of Ukraine!

 

Hey, at least Russia is finally calling it a "war", so that's something at least.

Wait, why the **** did that matter in the first place?

 

Whatever helps his propaganda, I guess.