Let's Talk About the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

[@JvmCassandra]

He gave like 2 minutes disclaimer about him not being an expert. I like this style.

[@AvgustGeorgi]

Expectation the largest country in Europe to be conquered for 1 day (max 4) - obviously not an expert..

[@JvmCassandra]

@@AvgustGeorgi I am no Russians but your statement underpins why Russians were always belligerent. They see themselves as Europeans but Europeans see them as Mongols.

[@AeneasGemini]

@@JvmCassandra A little elitist it has to be said, ironic also considering that Russians have (historically) shaped much of their foreign policy about resisting invasions by powers like the Mongols

[@ketelin4285]

He is right , he didn't analysed the key point that started all this and the geostrategic situation . I hate this kind of "benign" slippings . The Ucrainians first turn unfriendly (Maidan + NATO talk ) then go rearming , started buying those advanced drones and became quite successful combatting the separatist republics (this happened about 2 years ago , tipping point ) . It was a real danger that Russians would have lost the D/L and Crimeea is undefensible that means no Black sea fleet . Also as you can see a NATO armed Ucraine is deadly in the case of a conventional conflict , the Russians have seen the danger but acted too late . Tbh they even didn't realy wanted to invade just to negociate with the army at the border ,they negociated ONE YEAR , but when their demands were rejected 100% they didn't have anything else to do . Even autocrats cannot withstand such public shaming or the giant strategic loss that is the Black sea , something they wanted and fought for since Imperial Russia . It was a mess waiting to happen since the breakup of the USSR .

[@AvgustGeorgi]

@@JvmCassandra and you see a Bulgarian as a Russian, Mr Zhubo Tang

[@LukeVilent]

"And don't forget, it doesn't take long for a cold war to become hot."

[@midsue]

True

[@kyrgyzsanjar]

Turned out to be prophetic words!

[@kalomboC]

The irony is he (David) forgot his own mantra

[@typ6896]

@@kalomboC he didn't forget. He just don't want it to come to this

[@kalomboC]

@@typ6896 denial?

[@niichuuko1095]

The scary realisation that this is no longer a history channel

[@whm_w8833]

Now, you are witnessing history in real time.

[@JonatasAdoM]

The trouble with the Cold War, is that it doesn't take long before it becomes relevant.

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

You mean before it becomes 'hot'.

[@georgegalileo]

August 98, I was having a drink in a pub in Moscow, decided to order a second one after a while. Price was doubled in the meanwhile. Yeltsin had announced defaulting and the rouble had collaped, and as the landlord had to pay his suppliers in hard currency, price doubled.....

[@westrim]

That was the first economic crisis I was really aware of, it's crazy how much it seems to have receded from memory. I suppose its because the larger nations like the US were able to weather the storm better, but it really gave most of the middle income countries a smackdown.

[@vanivanov9571]

The 90s were hell... that's why everyone is so grateful for Putin. Thank God it's nothing so bad this time, where Rossiya's cost of living remains many times better than the US and West. Honestly, those countries need help, and it's no wonder they have massive convoys moving onto their capitals.

[@090giver090]

@@vanivanov9571 "Hellishness" of the 90s is greatly exaggerated by Putin's own PR (Things were normalizing as early as 1994 and even default of 98 stirred up things for couple of months max).

[@thefutureisnowoldman7653]

@@vanivanov9571 Speak for yourself the US was doing just fine during the 90s

[@vanivanov9571]

...I'm amazed I talked about the hellish 90s before Putin, and someone was self-centred enough to be offended I wasn't talking about America..... And no, 090 is an itiot to suggest things were fine in the 90s. The international cancer institute reckoned an extra 2.5 to 3 MILLION MIDDLE AGED Rossiyans dhied, in that period.... Dheaths per capita remained elevated by about 30% until about 2001 at least....

[@Aukahl]

" Russia has managed to get Switzerland to pick a side " As a Swiss, I confirm, this is historical.

[@nuclearwarhead9338]

Of course, not even neutrality could spare Switzerland from Nuclear Fallout.

[@Aukahl]

@@nuclearwarhead9338 I totally agree. Still, this is unprecedented in recent swiss history.

[@corn1971]

Sure would be a shame of some of those Russian oligarchs Swiss bank accounts info fell into the hands of the E.U. 😉

[@nietname2468]

@N Fels the fuck have you smoked?

[@mastermindd]

Well, respect to you guys, but it's easy to be brave from far away. You somehow weren't so brave to shut down the trade with Nazi Germany, because they were right at your doorstep.

[@WanderSeth]

I remember thinking, “Good lord, Ukraine won’t last a day against such a huge military”. I love being proven wrong, no sarcasm

[@frankieseward8667]

The logistics if the invasion was fatally flawed. Remember, Nazi Germany had 1.5 million troops invading Poland and it needed the Soviets help to take it. That was in 1939. And look at Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000s or Somalia in the 90s. Just because you can invade a country, doesn't mean you should.

[@WxWaterFire]

Nailed it on the MAD/MAMA theory. It only works if everyone is sane and the players know the only way to win is not to play. But, what happens when a player thinks they can win by playing?

[@Harv72b]

That's when you hope there are enough sane individuals involved in the actual _use_ of the weapons that they wouldn't fire. Guys like Vasily Arkhipov and Stanislav Petrov. Admittedly, neither of those heroes were faced with an actual confirmed national-level command to fire, but the hope remains the same.

[@demilembias2527]

I think it is highly likely that Putin is sane despite not being entirely rational. As in, he took a crazy gamble trying to take Ukraine thinking it would be like Crimea and Georgia which fell with little effort. Now that he knows that he was wrong, who knows what he is going to do. But he isn't *completely* mental, and wouldn't destroy Ukraine, Russia, and the rest of the world in a temper tantrum.

[@Harv72b]

@@demilembias2527 It's actually worse for him than that. In failing to quickly achieve his goals in Ukraine, he's losing the grip of fear he held over other former Soviet republics such as (what's left of) Georgia and Moldova. He's also given Western Europe and her allies time to come to the necessary agreements to seriously hurt the Russian economy for the foreseeable future. And in the process he's losing the two biggest factors that have built his domestic approval ratings: a stronger economy and a stronger national defense. I've never met the man and I'm no trained psychologist, but from what I've seen I honestly do believe that he'd push the button rather than suffer what he'd see as a personal defeat. Like I said, my hope lies squarely in the people currently under him, along with the perhaps far-fetched notion that some of those people might solve the issue before it actually comes to that.

[@demilembias2527]

@@Harv72b I mean, if that's so, why hasn't he done it already? And he hasn't done anything like make more nuclear threats in the meantime.

[@Harv72b]

@@demilembias2527 I'm not sure he's convinced he can't still win. Plus he's already made the threat...if you keep making the same threat without actually following through, eventually the threat loses its impact. Don't get me wrong--I don't think he _wants_ to launch nuclear armageddon. I just think if it came to a point where he was still in power and he felt he had no moves left to make other than launch or admit defeat, he'd order the launch. I may very well be wrong, and I hope I am.

[@yakota18]

We are living in the second Cold War that’s a continuation of the Cold War, so it makes sense that you guys uploaded this video. Good upload!

[@mattmccaughen8082]

Russia is collapsing shortest war ever

[@baronessvondengler]

Plot twist: we’re actually in the beginnings of World War 3.

[@gerald1495]

@@mattmccaughen8082 Hitler said the same thing in 1941

[@GiuseppeNelva]

@@gerald1495 Only, in 1941 a lot of the world was *supporting* russia with aid, loans, and land leases. Now Russia is completely isolated, with even its closest friends keeping them at arm's length and starting to step back, the Ruble turned into scrap paper, and its economy in shambles. It's a completely different situation, and comparing the two means being unable to read history. It may not be "the shortest war ever," but Putin put himself in Hitler's shoes, not Stalin's.

[@ADaysinton]

@@GiuseppeNelva Both in different ways

[@filippellifrank1669]

Thanks!

[@kennethbowers2897]

This was a pretty touching video. Maybe a video on the potential issue with China and Taiwan with all of this going on between Russia and Ukraine would be interesting

[@christiandauz3742]

Wish in 2018 both Ukraine and Taiwan went back in time to pre-Greek history They wouldn't have to worry about Russia and China

[@armandotalampas4800]

It's interesting to note that Taiwan is cozy with America and the West for more than 70 years while China hasn't thought of invading it since the end of the Civil War. Beijing is exercising restraint for the past 70 years. Since the annexation of Crimea, it took only eight years for Putin to invade Ukraine proper!

[@christiandauz3742]

@@armandotalampas4800 China maintains dominance of the South China Sea, Taiwan is no threat to China and China profits from trading with Taiwan

[@armandotalampas4800]

@@christiandauz3742 Ukraine is also not a threat to Russia. Kiev would be dependent on Western military assistance. Russia also benefits from Ukraine's wheat. It should be noted that Ukraine is the breadbasket of Czarist Russia and the former Soviet Union

[@christiandauz3742]

@@armandotalampas4800 I wish a person went back in time to Industrialize Ancient Sumeria. Then we wouldn't be dealing with this shit.

[@jessetorres9502]

Very well said, great video as always guys. I was born in 1998, I'm tired of living through chapters of future history textbooks, I just want to live. Hopefully soon we can see peace in Ukraine and the wider world

[@johnpoole3871]

Anybody starting a war: it will be quick, it will be easy, it will be cheap, we will all be home by *insert holiday here*

[@TheCimbrianBull]

It will only last six weeks - hurry up and join the fun! 😎

[@frankieseward8667]

@@TheCimbrianBull we'll conquer the Caucasus by Summer.

[@jimjackson665]

Well spoken David. Appreciate your insight on the matter

[@seanmccann8368]

Thank you, an excellent appraisal as ever from your channel. As a person born around the Cuban Missile Crisis and living through the fall of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact I thought i was one of the few who still felt the silent force of the nuclear arsenals that still exist. "This cannot happen today", doesn't look like a viable position since the invasion of Ukraine, I feel sorry for the young people who thought that was all old fears for old folks.

[@TYDescartes]

Strange that you still felt that it wasn't a viable position when George W. said "All options (including nuclear) are on the table"

[@seanmccann8368]

@@TYDescartes Sorry, I didn't express myself very clearly. I meant tnat "This can't happen in this day and age" is the position of many of the young generation today and it isn't a viable position now; it hasn't ever been viable, but they didn't know that nor did they want to know it. Sadly for them social media doesn't really affect megalomaniacs of any nationality.

[@stephennelson4954]

I was born in 1990. Before my first birthday the Cold War ended. I have always been a student of history and was fascinated by the bomb shelter hysteria and prepper hysteria in the US during. I’ve always been aware that Nukes exist and that they can end our planet many times over, that fact was drilled into my head as a child by my study of history. I never understood what the weight of that knowledge felt like til now.

[@martinstent5339]

The Russian central bank having a big reserve is not like 100 years ago when they had a few tons of gold in the vault. All this reserve is made out of prommisary notes and so on. It's only digital entries that the bank owns so much gold and dollars and so on. It's no good if the central bank assets are frozen by foreign exchanges and banks. Having money you can't spend is useless.

[@MartijnMcFly]

Almost 70% of the Russian reserves were in foreign currency, much of which are now under sanctions so they can't access them.

[@JonatasAdoM]

But then the banks would be defaulting on them. Also, the moment it happens, people could realize their insurance that they have gold or money within an institution could be vaporized.

[@martinstent5339]

@@JonatasAdoM I don't know where you live, but in most countries, a Judge can freeze your assets when there is a legal action against you. Nobody is stealing anything. They are just stopping the Russian banks from accessing theior money until the dispute is ended.

[@politicalridicule]

@@martinstent5339 "Look at the capitalists: they are trying to incite national enmity in the "common people", and they themselves are doing their business perfectly: in the same joint-stock company - both Russians, Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, and Germans. Capitalists of all nations and religions are united against the workers, and they are trying to divide and weaken the workers with national enmity!" V.I. Lenin

[@topiasr628]

I've heard this too but cannot get over what an oversight that would be.. I suppose a central bank sanction is unprecedented but still

[@AeneasGemini]

So many of us were wrong about this, I share his shock and dismay at how this invasion went. I myself was adamant it wouldn't happen, it's difficult to admit you were wrong, even more difficult to pick things up and carry on. Full credit to you

[@kcgeil]

This is a very very weird and upsetting time for those of us who remember the first cold war... But that's nothing compared to the horrors Ukrainian people are going through.

[@Pretermit_Sound]

I have Finnish and Polish ancestry, and I have distant relatives still in those countries. If Putin isn’t stopped at Ukraine, one can only wonder how much further he’ll go 😐

[@petrsovicka]

@@Pretermit_Sound Not far I think. Putin attacked because he is weak and believed he would be much worse in the future. Russia is a declining power. The most coherent explanation is the realist one by Prof. John Mearsheimer in my opinion. He is neither crazy nor surprised due to the alledged miscalculation. He has been in power more than 20 yrs. This man - a former intelligence officer posted abroad has always many plans in store. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGnkJWejLR3esU

[@Pretermit_Sound]

@@petrsovicka yeah, the rational side of me has to agree with you. Putin has become an international pariah of sorts, which is something I’ve been waiting for since the GW Bush administration. It’s a shame it had to come to the point of him invading Ukraine that revealed his true colors though. I’ll check out that link later when I have the time. Thanks 🙏🏼 Slava Ukraini! Heroiam slava! 🇺🇸✌🏻🇺🇦 PS: Petr, are you Polish by chance? Or Czech?

[@petrsovicka]

@@Pretermit_Sound Well yeah, can't imagine anyone who would benefit this madness except for the PRC. Actually, Mearsheimers explanation is also backed up by the Dynamic power theory, which tells that the probability of conflict rises with power fluctuations and the declining party is likely to attack more often because the ascending party has time on its side naturally. Plus the Behavioralists would add the risk is increased in case of non democratic states. Ukrainians have definitely given Russians a lesson like the Finns did but ultimately there must be an agreement based on mutual restraint. For Putin this is Cuban Crisis upside down even though we don't see any nukes at the first sight. (NATO has the Nuclear sharing policy. Ukraine wants to be a member. NATO welcomed this decision. NATO was arming Ukraine with modern weaponry.) Good guess by the way, My ancestors were both Czech and Polish from Silesian and Carpathian regions.

[@simonh6371]

@@Pretermit_Sound If he'd wanted Finland i.e. to gobble up all non-NATO countries he could have done it years ago. Maybe he didn't because the Finns didn't slaughter 3,000 ethnic Russians in eastern Finland since 2014?

[@saturnv2419]

The biggest problem with strongman politics, which most people ignored, is that people would be afraid to actually tell the leader what is going on, and become simply telling the leader what he or she wish to hear, which often times is not the truth. The result is many miscalculation from the leader.

[@theoutlook55]

One of the unlearned lessons of January 6th too. You are correct.

[@havocgr1976]

Putin:How is our army? Generals:PERFECT.

[@MrAlexkyra]

‘Fascist governments are condemned to lose wars because they are constitutionally incapable of objectively evaluating the force of the enemy.’ - Umberto Eco

[@TheArmourersBench]

Good work with this chaps.

[@maximusironthumper]

I suspect the nuclear escalation if it comes, rather than an ICBM, will be some sort of 'deniable' operation like the shelling of a nuclear power station which one could easily see having a massive effect over a huge area and population. Thankyou for your thoughts of this terrible and pointless war, it is appreciated.

[@badluck5647]

I assume the strike on the nuclear power station was unintentional or the dumb decision of a local Russian commander. Considering that radiation traveled from Japan to California, the wind could easily carry radiation from Ukraine to Belarus or Russia. This is just too dumb to be planned.

[@Old_Man_Fire]

you mean like what has happened four times so far and counting?

[@vanivanov9571]

IIRC, the power plant attack was another complete lie from Zelenskyy. Anyone who believes him at this point is an idiot. And if NATO attacks Russia, Putin will use Nukes... that's how MAD has always works for every nuclear power.

[@badluck5647]

@@vanivanov9571 Complete lie? You can see the damage from space. However, the claim that Russian did it intentionally is just speculation.

[@decem_sagittae]

That's the most idiotic thing I've read since the war started.

[@marrs1013]

Excellent episode! This non-scripted, free talking, thinking on the go style episodes should be regular feature.

[@Scout-Fanfiction]

Thank you both for covering this topic. The questions and answers were professional, thoughtful, and concise.

[@frederickstabell3796]

I'm glad to see history KZbinrs speaking directly to this topic, it feels like these days so many people neglect historical analysis in handling modern issues. It's so important that historians with a more holistic view of things help contextualize the present. Thank you for speaking up.

[@CountryAfficianado]

Absolutely. Historians are among the most important professions in times of crisis because the general population and too many leaders have the intellectual depth of desert streams.

[@Shadowguy456234]

Well said, both of you.

[@Ed_in_Md]

Excellent interview David. I’m no Russian expert. I’m an old Cold War cryptologic veteran so I have some knowledge of the USSR. Great points. I don’t believe the Ukrainian people will ever give up. Putin will be mired in a guerrilla war for years. Thanks for sharing your insight.

[@kenrankin5814]

Army 05K here :)

[@meowcula]

Well said. Thank you for your insight. I can't believe were actually witnessing all of this.

[@Drunken_Master]

Let's not call it "special military operation" when we all know it is war.

[@tardvandecluntproductions1278]

and a full blown invasion

[@xxcoopcoopxx]

War is a Fog. War is the Father of all.

[@sophiewanlin8612]

Agree with you, but don't forget that my own country, France, NEVER called the 1945-1954 in Indochine region a "war" nor the 1954-1962 in Algeria a "war" but a "special operation to maintain peace". We, Westerners, and especially colonist countries such as mine can be very hyprocrital too...

[@teethgrinder83]

Yeah I thought the same but then I thought about it some more and it made me wonder if him saying that specific wording which Russia has been using is just an attempt for the vid to not get automatically flagged by the Russian state, or something similar. But that's just a guess

[@kunalphadte2674]

He's Canadian.

[@Kriegter]

The cold war never ended. It slowly cooled down, but heated up again

[@politicalridicule]

"Look at the capitalists: they are trying to incite national enmity in the "common people", and they themselves are doing their business perfectly: in the same joint-stock company - both Russians, Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, and Germans. Capitalists of all nations and religions are united against the workers, and they are trying to divide and weaken the workers with national enmity!" V.I. Lenin

[@texmj123]

No Communism/Socialism this time though

[@trizvanov]

The world had transitioned from bi-polar to uni-polar and now moving into multi-polar.

[@aravindvenk]

In these difficult times, your commitment to objectivity is truly commendable. Please keep up the great work!

[@gate7clamp]

Honestly I never thought he was going to do it until they were right at the border of Belarus right above Ukraine and I said to myself oh my God he is surrounding them

[@abedmarachli7345]

He did not ask him the most important question, which is what is the long-term impact of this war on the countries around Russia, such as Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus, but even within Russia itself from economic suffocation, especially as there were problems in Kazakhstan shortly before the war

[@thefutureisnowoldman7653]

Too early to tell

[@sokratesz]

Thank you for this David, excellent video. Humble and knowledgeable as always.

[@CoreyIsTheName]

Yeah we're going to need this to become a series. I really enjoyed this style of episode from someone so knowledgeable about the history of the region. I think you should really consider doing more of these videos. Definitely made me feel a certain way that is hard to define, but has been harder to find a way to feel in recent days.

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@petersparacino6445]

I dunno about the timeframe being 5 days. The US led coalition took 3 weeks to take Baghdad in the iraq war. And iraq is a third the size of Ukraine. Not to mention that supposedly captured russian intel claimed their plan was to take Kyiv in 14 days, which they're on track to do. And if Putin's motive really is to expand into former Russian territory, I'd hate to be Kazakhstan after this.

[@RCorvinus]

Pffffffffff. The Stan’s are already vassal states. Also, the fact that the had troops right on Kyiv’s doorstep that had been going through military exercises, plus the fact they used the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, tells me that thrust was to be a lightning decapitation strike.

[@adr8]

Didn't you hear they are bog downed in the mud? While the Ghost of Kyiv destroys everything in it's path.

[@kx4998]

From what it seems, the main Russian convoy reaching Kyiv were expecting to just roll over to Kyiv with minimum resistance and forgotten that people who have been fighting for 8 years against you will not just invite you in and send you to your destination. 1-4 days is likely the optimistic projections and 14 days was likely worst feasible case for the current operation. Of course, this is my personal interpretation of this operation.

[@adr8]

@@kx4998 You are assuming a lot there.

[@UtilityCurve]

Reading this as dawn breaks in Ukraine on Day 21. Still 15km at closest from Maidan.

[@gregspencer9842]

Maybe the BEST analysis so far. I love your channel and was excited to watch this video today. My friends and family are on both sides of this conflict. My prayer is that it does not escalate.

[@samb1123]

The Russians showed in the Winter War with Finland that they will pour unlimited resources to convert initial failure into getting what they want.

[@Litany_of_Fury]

I mean they wanted all of Finland or at least to set up a puppet state. They compromised.

[@mojewjewjew4420]

@@Litany_of_Fury They did but they realized they cant *stalin* the conflict or they would be found even more unprepared against Germany.

[@vandeheyeric]

The "Russians" didn't have unlimited resources in the Winter War and they absolutely do not have them now, especially since they lost a lot of the "fraternal nations" they could tap for support in the Winter War.

[@abcdedfg8340]

They also don't have the same control stalin did. It's up to the russians if they want to pay the financial and human cost of putins vanity project.

[@broccolinyu911]

2:01 off topic, but am I the only who noticed that awkward greenscreen cutoff?

[@jordanlester9276]

Economic sanctions in response to military action is what the Americans did to Japan in the lead up to and during world war 2 (WW2)

[@badluck5647]

The Americans cut off oil from Japan. Now the Americans are just refusing to buy it from Russia.

[@msquaretheoriginal]

@@badluck5647 they weren’t buying that much to begin with. Which is why all this bidding up is unwarranted.

[@badluck5647]

@@msquaretheoriginal It's the fear the Europeans are going to buy less is what the market fears.

[@afghanistandaily9175]

@@badluck5647 the Germans are too reliant on imported gas, especially now they shut down their nuclear power plants, to do anything meaningful to Russia.

[@badluck5647]

@@afghanistandaily9175 You say that, but Russia has been discounting their oil just to get anyone to buy it. Germany also has the infrastructure to buy petro from anywhere. However, they don't have the infrastructure to import LNG, so they are very dependent on Russia for national gas.

[@rodrigofonseca6241]

It is about time to start a new serie: Cold War 2.0 - NATO vs China and Russia.

[@rx7carl]

I see the same thing happening like the soviet occupation of Afghanistan, another Vietnam. Thing is I don't see an offramp for putin to withdraw with face saving so this will probably grind on unfortunately

[@RCorvinus]

Everything he is saying is this only stops when all his demands are met. Unless he settles for the breakaway republics and disbandment of the Azov Battalion, which I’m starting to doubt.

[@khoivo7947]

@@PutXi_Whipped Vietnam didn’t fend off invaders for 1000s of years. Speaking as a Vietnamese we were conquered by China for nearly 1,000 years. We were occupied the French for nearly 100 years. We kept fighting though that’s the thing. Afghanistan isn’t the graveyard of Empire under Timur Lane, Britain or Alexander. They only truly defeated the Soviet and maybe the American.

[@ggtt2547]

Let's all wish Putin a nice cup of really *strong* tea this afternoon! Bet that would calm him down a lot and solve most of Ukraine's problems.

[@RCorvinus]

@@khoivo7947 and the Brits. Several times.

[@webcelt]

Unfortunately, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the US war in Vietnam could be ended only after Brezhnev and Johnson had been replaced. Johnson realized he couldn't win reelection and let his term end, and Brezhnev died. I'm guessing Putin has to lose power before Russia will end the war.

[@lucasjames7524]

I would love to see more episodes like this. I think that David has excellent insights and commentary, and I'd love to see more interview-style episodes about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[@tofigmammadov7185]

Enjoy these discussions. Hope to see more content with updates from this war. Слава Украине🇺🇦

[@rodrigoquintero9397]

Thank you for this, guys. I was very much looking forward to this analysis of yours, which is great.

[@dmytrodelen]

Thanks for the support, however, I must correct you in one thing. Many of these captured soldiers who say they didn't know they were going to Ukraine are lying. They were told to say so once captured to make them pitiful. They knew EXACTLY where they were going to. It's just some of them knew it days and some just hours before. We've found many maps, codes and documents with these russian soldires proving that they knew their main target which is - invasion of Ukraine, not a simple military exersise.

[@hiraeth4408]

Being told hours before is effectively the same as not knowing. These soldiers have no choice

[@dmytrodelen]

@@hiraeth4408 lol what. They had a choice. They could either sabotage or they could surrender. But once you fired a shot or dropped a bomb you deserve no pity.

[@rick7424]

Structure vs agency. The Browning vs Goldhagen debate

[@m2heavyindustries378]

And them saying that allowed Ukrainian media to humiliate the absolute living hell out of Putin. And it makes the Russians look bad.

[@mikhailv67tv]

Love this channel so much 20th Century history is covered by you content. Keep up the great work and I’ll keep watching

[@alanxu1238]

The cold war leads us to this and it is not actually ended yet, just going on in a slower and more gentle way. As long as China, Russia and the US are still having that cold war thought about each other, or one of these countries fall apart. This will never end. Such insecurity those countries feel about each other will naturally cause wars. None of the big countries is really starting a war against each other but they are all taking precautions. If there is no trust between them, the big one will happen eventually.

[@billyhamlen9610]

As long as dictatorship with nuclear option exist in this world, there will be and should be cold war.......

[@billyhamlen9610]

@Петровский Кислозаводский That is not correct, the west did not involve in the overthown of Gaddafi.......they got involved when Gaddafi use his airforce to bomb the civilian

[@MuffinManUSN]

Good job. Caught more genuine emotions, professional opinions seasoned with personal logic than from anywhere else this far. Thank you for this dose from our socials. Wish you the best, Ukranians across the spectrum all the glory and support they need to win and I wish the Russian people a better political future and a fast return home for their military and safety only once they are back within their borders currently recognized. But if they stop in Crimea, Don or Luhan on they way then may they feel fire in their crotch, water in their boots and may all the warheads prepped for foreheads fall right upon their roof. Russia has enough for its people. Their politicians are the failure. There is 0 reason for the world to look at the largest land mass on earth try to convince anyone they just need a little more

[@888HUSKERS]

I love that you had the courage to do this and you did it without ignoring the plight of the Ukrainians and the fact that many Russian soldiers were misled in what they were doing.

[@ragnaroni]

It is such a bizarre and horrifying realization when I woke up to Putin invading Ukraine, I wish Ukraine and its people the best!

[@LighthouseCape]

I was watching this channel out of curiosity and for educational purposes, to know about the past times. Never would of thought that the "cold war" issue would rise up again and even becoming "hot"... Surely people would remember about the 2020's with the widespread of Corona pandemic and humanity once again advancing towards another possible nuclear armageddon long after the Cuban crisis (as long as Putin "plays by the book" and doesn't decide to go for the red button that is...)

[@ollietizzard5180]

It's still early days (and the fog of war still very much covers the physical and informational battlefields). It took the Coalition a month to fight to Baghdad and conquer Iraq, and that was against a far less determined enemy. That said, Russia does seem to be losing an incredible amount of kit. We've never really seen a conventional war with this great a use of MANPADS and ATGMs, despite them being around for decades. This isn't the same war that they thought would happen in the Fulda gap that's for sure.

[@ifrobayom]

I agree, is premature to say that this invasion is failing.

[@Rendarth1]

The casualty ratio is *significantly* higher for Russia in Ukraine than it was for the Coalition in Iraq.

[@ollietizzard5180]

@@Rendarth1 I'd take all casualty reports (from both sides) with a pinch of salt at this stage, but yes, the picture emerging does seem to show the Russians are soaking up considerable punishment. That recent scene from Bucha of all that Russian armour burnt out like the Highway of Death. I'd never have believed that was possible so early on.

[@shaider1982]

I guess the perception is that Russia, operating close to a territory that it is traditionally quite familiar with, should have easily won.

[@nationalist464]

Yes obv

[@vladimir.zlokazov]

We Russians never asked for this war - would be an understatement :(

[@nickmauldin8825]

Great video. Nice to see someone talk calmly an with knowledge about what’s going on instead the bombastic 24 hour news talking heads the need you to stick around through the commercial. Love your channel. Great work and much appreciated.

[@kardy12]

Switzerland’s taking sides was more surprising than Finland’s. Finland has been courted strongly by the US for two or three decades, heck it was willing to sell Finland F-35’s that it isn’t even prepared to sell all its NATO allies. Finland’s political establishment has been trying to gradually move it towards NATO membership for years, the only thing that was missing has been popular support. Now that’s taken care of.

[@felixtheswiss]

Switzerland is purchasing F35 too

[@joelgagnon1]

You forgot to mention that Érythrea also took side

[@tng2057]

Thanks David for speaking out. These days the trolls are everywhere and even an innocent youtube video showing cute pet pigs has invited Putin supporters (not just from Russia, but also from some locations outside Europe) leaving insulting comments. Good on you David.

[@jimmyryan5880]

KZbin needs to do more.

[@jozz2248]

@@jimmyryan5880 definitely

[@quanghuyvo6112]

@@jimmyryan5880 by censor my enemy

[@eff_gee321]

I'm not a professional *Proceeds to lay an intricate analysis* I wish everybody on the internet was like u.

[@christopherrhine3167]

I want to say I appreciate your honesty, openness, and sincerity in recording this video. This channel is consistently the most professional and best ran history content on KZbin! Keep it up and I hope you are right that this will be behind us soon. SLAVA UKRAINI!!

[@tremorsfan]

I've been waiting for this episode since the news broke. Thank you.

[@ottovonbismarck1352]

Something I fear is that the world moves on and we start lifting pressure off Russia showing Putin that if he waits long enough he can get away with anything. Country’s must remain resolute, companies must remain resolute, people must remain resolute.

[@tardvandecluntproductions1278]

The current form of pressure is insane on a "modern" nation. Their stock market has to reopen at some point and will crash instantly.

[@azmc4940]

I fear this too. Russia seems determined to conquer Ukraine at any cost, even if they have to turn Kiev into Aleppo. The current sanctions will have to be maintained for years, possibly decades while Ukranians fight a guerilla war against the Russian occupiers. Tho it's also possible that Putin will keep invading former Imperial possessions, like Kazakhstan or Finland.

[@Saleh-994]

Says the guy with Bismarck as his picture.

[@Keefan1978]

Thanks for this video! I think it was a very good decision to do a special episode on this topic. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Estonia! Слава Україні!

[@theluckyegg3613]

Estonian! Russia does not want war! There would be no war if Putin hands over all the Russian Resources to creepy uncle Biden (friend of Epstein). The Russians should invite the US companies and work for free so the US companies get richer and richer. Ironie off. Russia has now the export capabilities to pump 210'000'000'000 cubic-meter of natural gas/annum to Europe. That is the equivalent of $300'000'0000'000/annum. The US wants that. The Russians are second largerst oil producer and the largest exporter of wheat. Of course they must give this all to creepy uncle Biden. The US is such a nice place. It does so much good. Irony Off.

[@jonathanmillner]

It feels like this channel's relevancy has increased with the return of the cold war... Cold War part II, The Real War!!!

[@topiasr628]

Oh Day 1 my heart sank thinking this would be like the Battle of Visby (or Gottland). But, by God, the Ukrainians seem to be at least holding their own. May they continue their good fight!

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

I'm thinking its more playing out like Serbia 1914, Austro-Hungary thought it would all be over in a few weeks, it took them 15 months! The Ukraine is putting up a very good fight, but it is taking everything they have.

[@TheFirebird123456]

Everybody home by Christmas how many times has any army entering a war said this.

[@External2737]

That was the videos mocking point. Russia lost its cold hard calculation ability.

[@nicknickbon22]

well, at this rate it is not impossible for russian forces to come back home next christmas...😅

[@williammitchem8274]

Great video. We all pray for a quick end.

[@janiandelin93]

Actually Finland didn't choose its side now. Finland is not a neutral country. We don't belong to a military alliance but we are a full member of the European Union including the Solidarity Clause 42.7 and in very close partnership with Nato. Our military is completely Nato compatible and Finland is a member of the UK Joint Expeditionary Force as well.

[@havocgr1976]

If I am not wrong you have also ordered 64 F35s, before all this even started.

[@janiandelin93]

@@havocgr1976 Yes, that is correct.

[@pascal9055]

@@havocgr1976 lol I wonder if even that is afforded by chip shortage. L&M: “we really want to make them but can’t finish the EWS!”

[@havocgr1976]

@@pascal9055 Considering they dont have a single one, and my country that ordered some 2 years ago still dont have any too, even though we even said we d accept used ones, you are probably right.

[@christopher6547]

Excellent video. From the heart. You do good work.

[@i.d.6282]

The channel RealLifeLore did a tremendous analysis of Putin’s motivation, much of it derived from monopolistic power on natural gas being threatened. Absolutely a must-watch. It explains so much.

[@MikVision]

Great video. Once again a very balanced take. Great analysis. Always happy to see that.

[@Khasidon]

Nah it was very weak.

[@MarkoKraguljac]

Its so balanced that we didnt hear anything new, beside how he is disappointed with Putin.

[@luisfernandosantosn]

My problem with all the analyzes coming from Europe and the US about the war in Ukraine is that they look very much like this was just a personal decision by Putin, going ahead to compare him with Hitler, while forgetting the geographical issue that the plain in Eastern Europe has always posed a risk to Russian security; or the Ukrainian insistence on joining NATO and giving access to this strategic channel for historic rivals. As a Latin American, I see this as the hypothetical situation in which Mexico aligns itself with China and allows 200,000 Chinese soldiers access to its territory, the USA would invade or promote a coup d'état, without blinking and would not care about issues like sovereignty or self-determination.

[@MarkoKraguljac]

@@luisfernandosantosn Yes, psychological war is in full swing. As usual, Putin woke up few days ago and decided to destroy the world for no reason whatsoever. And the mob eats it up, missing all nuance or context. Western democracy and freedom lol

[@dylonkejhu]

It's a catastrophic disaster when they attacked ukraine

[@lungeranon7645]

For Zelensky and the US State Dept that controls him.

[@gerald1495]

lmao they deleted my comment about donbass, wasn't expecting something like that from this channel.

[@lungeranon7645]

@@TGBurgerGaming The antiRussian insanity in the West is self defeating and does more reputation harm than anything Russia could do the West Edit: Aside from Nuclear war of course

[@Greg_lab]

@@TGBurgerGaming Neutrality means recognize Crimea is part of Russia and Donesk and Luhansk as indipendent ( whole regions). Something that Ukraine didnt want to do and they always had that strong idea to join UE and NATO

[@Greg_lab]

@@TGBurgerGaming Emh, Crimea, donesk and luhansk were ukraine territory lol

[@ethanomcbride]

This kinda honesty and self reflection is the mark of a true academic. You are a magnificent historian!

[@vasilerogojan4520]

Just thinking that if you think that you were living history in the last 2 years, since February 24th this is really an important chapter of history in which the rhetoric of a former actor seems to win over the one of a former spy.

[@havocgr1976]

Come on that was so easy.One is being invaded by someone that has some really silly neonazi bs arguments.Also lets not forget the comedian has the whole might of the western media behind him.

[@jwoodswce]

While there are multiple reasons, there is one that tipped the balance: EU wants gas from untapped Ukrainian gas fields and Russian kleptocrats do not want a new large competitor in EU gas market. Negotiated settlement may require giving Russians majority cut of Ukraine gas profits & control of production levels.

[@rodchallis8031]

Everyone always gets hung up on personalities and ideologies, when it's always about the ground: Where it is, what's on it, and what's in it. Instead of political "science", people should pay more attention to geography and geology.

[@whm_w8833]

@@rodchallis8031 but Russia had the majority of the gas and field by annexing crimeria and eastern side of Urakine. There’s no need for Russia to invade the whole nation.

[@ggtt2547]

@@whm_w8833 Yup exactly. Not to mention that the Ukranian reserves around Crimea are not proven and if they were, they would still be like 4% of the Russian ones... Is all that bloodshed and humanitarian catastrophe worth 4% more gas? No1 reason by far for the invasion is still Putin's selfish megalomania edit: Clarification, all of Ukraine's UNPROVEN reserves may add up to 10% of Putin's.

[@whm_w8833]

@@ggtt2547 not to mention Putin wealth is in Russia’s gas and oil. Didn’t realize Putin is this petty. He really think Ukraine is Russia’s bitch.

[@theoutlook55]

Not to mention control of the whole of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, which include the recently conquered city of Mariopul on the Sea of Azov. Probably also an agreement to never cut off the freshwater to the Crimea again.

[@TheCentristChad]

It’s hard to be a dictator/billionaire surrounded by yes-men for decades and not become delusional

[@luisfernandosantosn]

My problem with all the analyzes coming from Europe and the US about the war in Ukraine is that they look very much like this was just a personal decision by Putin, going ahead to compare him with Hitler, while forgetting the geographical issue that the plain in Eastern Europe has always posed a risk to Russian security; or the Ukrainian insistence on joining NATO and giving access to this strategic channel for historic rivals. As a Latin American, I see this as the hypothetical situation in which Mexico aligns itself with China and allows 200,000 Chinese soldiers access to its territory, the USA would invade or promote a coup d'état, without blinking and would not care about issues like sovereignty or self-determination.

[@kendrox0994]

@@luisfernandosantosn everything I’m about to say is strictly opinion based, so there’s that disclaimer. Under most circumstances I would agree and I’ve actually tried to keep my 2 cents out of this. However, I feel that I can’t believe that anymore because of the justification Putin used to invade Ukraine. If he would’ve said from the beginning it was to secure the national interests for Russia because of NATO I probably would be very unlikely to condemn Russias actions because I feel it had merit. However, when using an excuse such as cleaning of nazism, to me it becomes clear this is a war of aggression which seems to have no other reasoning behind it than ego and greed. Fight on Ukraine, fight on for democracy and so every man and woman may hopefully someday be able to be to be heard and their opinions on governance be respected.

[@TheCentristChad]

​@@luisfernandosantosn NATO is a defensive alliance. Thats not at all comparable. Its basically like saying America would preemptively invade Mexico if they began a process to start to create a defensive alliance with China. Who would be on America's side if that happened? If your democratic neighbor is willing to ally with your opponent maybe you should not have a oil dictator in charge and have better trade relations?

[@luisfernandosantosn]

@@kendrox0994 The argument that the action is to denazify doesn't make any sense, for me this is Propaganda for internal use and that's all. My point is that I cannot accept that all of the western media treats this only through the lens of an individual's egocentrism, while certainly there are state reasons for this, mainly because they align with historical precedents. I don't think he's right or justified, but there is indeed a tendency to emphasize and exaggerate the subjective aspect and reduce it all to Putin's ego and vanity, especially when other states would react similarly. In the same way, I see the West treating Ukraine and Ukrainian lives as the instrument, an opportunity that has arisen to attack a player who in the last 10 years has become antagonistic, not a genuine concern. And this simple narrative is part of it, And propaganda today is no longer a poster or video produced by a state department, it is broadcast and created by media bodies, as there is an ideological and interests alignment.

[@IntrusiveThot420]

@@luisfernandosantosn this is why your your mental framework is wrong: The countries around Russia want to join NATO because Russia keeps marching into their land, murdering their citizens, destabilizing their governments, and stealing their land. If Russia didn't act like a brutal warmongering imperial state, it wouldn't have these security concerns. There's a reason why people would laugh at you for the hypothetical of mexico allying with china or russia; america doesn't murder and steal land from mexicans (not for hundreds of years anyway). America is not a nakedly imperialist land grabbing power anymore. Those days are long gone. This is why your hypotheticals fall flat; they are too divorced from reality. If Russia simply did not invade its neighbors or posture with extreme aggression towards them, they would be in an infinitely better state financially, militarily, and on the international stage.

[@Aothis]

Was waiting for this

[@Inignot12]

Thanks for this, you guys are always very measured in your history and here as well.

[@thevoxofreason8468]

I was surprised... I think I agreed with every point you made.

[@lagautmd]

Everyone home by Orthodox Easter! But, your meaning was well-taken.

[@ducasimovic]

I was asking myself are you going to make a video on this topic...Great job mate! :)

[@anarcho-boulangistllamaent2023]

Only time will tell whether this invasion is more comparable to Caesar crossing the Rubicon or Hitler invading the USSR.

[@luisfernandosantosn]

More like Finland 39

[@bretedwards2899]

After WWII, German and Japan among others were punished for their part in starting the war, but the USSR was not. The USSR was engaged in a world-wide Communist revolution before the war and this policy was continued until the end of the Soviet empire. Russia/USSR has not been held accountable for her crimes then, or her crimes in various recent wars. Commercial greed has always been a problem for the West in dealing with dictators, both with the Russia and China. Iran or China will be Act No.2 in this three act saga empowered by the age old problem of choosing money or morality. We live in interesting times indeed. What is your POV in this three ring circus?

[@可爱包-c4v]

Why do you think Russia / Soviet Union should be punished because of World War II? The Soviet Union was the main force in defeating fascism.

[@RCorvinus]

@@可爱包-c4v problem is, they also engaged in naked aggression before getting invaded by the Nazis. Poland, Romania, the Baltics and Finland all gave up territory or were outright annexed.

[@JosephKeenanisme]

@@可爱包-c4v check your history book China Bot. The Soviets invaded several countries along with the Germany

[@Verminator4]

I do have to gently object to the use of Putin's euphemism "special military operation." You correctly identified it as an act of imperialist aggression, and you called it an invasion in the video title. I think we should call a spade a spade and just call it an invasion and not use Putin's weasel words. Otherwise though, excellent video. I think it's the only morally correct stance to take in the circumstances.

[@TheMCD1989]

Agreed I was thinking the same thing

[@mojewjewjew4420]

Putin does have a point tho, unlike the conventional invasion that more or less includes the whole army, Russia is not even using all of its forces on the border with ukraine, not even close to 50% of its army.

[@orlandok9m822]

@@mojewjewjew4420 But surely you'd agree the word 'invasion' is much better to use than special military operation, which sounds like legitimate peacekeeping, which it isn't?

[@mojewjewjew4420]

@@orlandok9m822 Its not peacekeeping true but the neo nazi ukraine has to be destroyed and its oppresion of poles, romanians, slovaks, russians and others stop. Also a ukraine in nato would guarantee ww3, so this is the lesser evil.

[@kevinscanlan5288]

Wow. Thank you for your insights.

[@gregcampwriter]

At this point, the argument for giving up nuclear weapons has been dealt a major blow. Nations with nukes and nations with aspirations will look at Ukraine's giving them up in the 90s and say no. One possible way out is if the oligarchs of Russia will inform Putin that they backed him for their own wealth. If he is now going to make them poor, his usefulness has expired.

[@westrim]

Yes, Clinton and Bush really missed the window to prevent NK from acquiring nukes, and now we have to worry about what happens to them whenever the regime falls.

[@willarterberry3392]

Ukraine never had the codes to fire those nukes anyways, those were always in Moscow under Yeltsin's control, so they wouldn't really be effective as a deterrent anyways

[@slome815]

@@willarterberry3392 If you have the nuclear warheads it should be fairly trivial for engineers and scientists to mount them to the MRBM's that Ukraine posesses. Launch codes are to prohibit rogue commanders from launching missiles, they will not prohibit a nation from altering the launch systems. Those are just fairly simple electronic systems.

[@bandit6272]

We can expect to see more nuclear proliferation in the near future. In the more distant future, I hope that changes. The world is likely to become a much more dangerous place.

[@kyrgyzsanjar]

The worlds best cold war history professor! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I hope you understand that we all look up to your opinions on these matters!

[@theluckyegg3613]

Putin should hand over all the Russian Resources to creepy uncle Biden (friend of Epstein). The Russians should invite the US companies and work for free so the US companies get richer and richer. Ironie off. Russia has now the export capabilities to pump 210'000'000'000 cubicmeter of natural gas/annum to Europe. That is the equivalnt of $300'000'0000'000/annum. The US wants that. The Russians are second largerst oil producer and the largest exporter of wheat. Of course they must give this all to creepy uncle Biden. Ironie off.

[@panchoamd]

Hello David!! I don't know if you are going to read this comment. But i cannot let pass the opportunity to express some of my thoughts about this crisis in Ukraine. Have you forgotten what was the main motive behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine? It happen that you didn't mention it at all in your speech. The reason behind Russia's invassion is one of national security. Russia threaten Ukraine not to join NATO, because they can't afford to have an "enemy" at their doorstep. Everything else is smoke. This invasion is exactly the same invasion aka "blockade" USA impose on Cuba in the missiles crisis 60 years ago. However, Russia is frown upon, while USA keeps that blockade since the 60s of the last century. Don't look beyond that, Russia cannot live at easy with an Ukraine in NATO with nuclear warheads 5 minutes from Moscow. Moreover since Ukraine is the cradle of Russian nationality and culture, its unbearable to them.

[@panchoamd]

Also, you are talking of sanctions on Russia. However, why nobody touched any of the companies trading gas, oil and energy? Oil is still flowing... Untouched by sanctions.

[@nicknickbon22]

nato is some 130km from st petersburg since 2004, but when baltics join nato putin said they, as sovereign nations, had all the right to do that, so that's clearly a decoy (considering that usa carried less and less about russia and some in the republican party was becoming sympathetic with them, probably because they relaized that in the cold war they did "maintenance" of some areas of the world, which now is up to the us do). Putin seemed more worried about a big number of ethnic russians becoming part one day of the eu, becoming richer than the ones living in russia. It wouldn't take long at that point for russians in russia to confront the situation with their western counterparts and asking themselves some questions the kremlin isn't that much eager about, let's say. Apart from that, putin told in every way that he believes ukraine isn't a real country but a part of russia, so nato or non nato didin't seem to care that much.

[@gs637]

Excellent review.

[@RonSommar]

11:00 one misconception- about all Russian cash reserves were secured by the west. It would be interesting why someone in Russia made this mistake...

[@noobster4779]

not they were not, only the cash reserves in western currency were frozen. Russia still has cash reserves in other currencies, primarily the chineses Yuan. Additional to taht russias cash flow of western money us hardly cut off because both the EU and the USA still buy massive ammounts of russian gas, oil and coal...and obviously dont pay in rubel for it. Russias cash reserves have been weakened, sure, but especially long term russia has a lot of posibilities to stabilize the rubel again with foreign cash influx to russia by western countries and primarily the chinese market.

[@RonSommar]

@@noobster4779 90% are lost... we will see... moodys and Fitch see them as technical default and this is one step to Burkina Faso

[@lequack6373]

No, only the reserve held in Western Bank is frozen. They sill have reserve at home (you cannot declare that some physical dollar bills are unusable due to sanctions, unless you want your currency be worthless), plus what is stored in non participating banks, for example in China

[@RonSommar]

@@lequack6373 Bloomberg, Reuters and the economist agree that they are likely blank... beside physical gold they can’t sell in London. Some of their bonds are due in the coming days and rated close to junk Russia can not role it but must payout. I see a very very high chance Putin will either give in or will fall on the kremlin stairs in the coming days.

[@lequack6373]

@@RonSommar can you explain more what does blank mean? If they have dollars in their bank, couldnt they use that to payout?

[@-JA-]

Thank you.

[@nelsonfernandez8970]

I'm praying to St. Javelin for Russia's defeat

[@philippepanayotov9632]

Great video!

[@MrVeryfrost]

My question. Is there any possibility that Russia's frozen nation reserves would be used for Ukraine restoration?

[@baneofbanes]

It’s not enough to do so.

[@kx4998]

it is still russia's money, just because you froze them doesn't mean you can just give it to someone else. Yes there is a chance they can seize them but it seems unrealitic and tbh going be quite a pain in the ass to sort out.

[@remaguire]

It's one thing to win the war. Another to win the peace. How Putin didn't realize that Ukrainians will fight to the death to protect their independence no matter how flawed, is beyond me. This is an unwinnable fight.

[@JosephKeenanisme]

The Afgans held out for 30+ against the Soviet and US militaries. The US war for independence the UK was supposed to win too. In Ireland the UK was also supposed to win. In Vietnam they defeated the French and US forces.

[@christopherharmon2433]

To read Putin you have to remember one thing once KGB (aka a Checkest Bastard), always KGB, you never lose the mindset of a goon / butcher.

[@julianshepherd2038]

He is rebuilding Holy Rus

[@christopherharmon2433]

@@julianshepherd2038 Seriously, what century are you living in? Using your logic, if Mongolia invaded the 'stans', they could claim that they were justified because they were rebuilding the Mongolian Empire. Or if you want to go farther back then that, Italy could claim it was justified in invading France, because its rebuilding the Roman Empire.

[@chilesauce7248]

@@julianshepherd2038 Я хочу обратиться к русскому народу: Всем русским солдатам, сложите оружие, Путин не стоит того, чтобы за него умирать! Он трус и тиран даже для русских народов, восстаньте, добрые люди России, и свергните злого диктатора, который лгал вам, диктатора, который украл 650 миллиардов долларов у вашей страны, чтобы заплатить за бомбы. Верните свою свободу, уберите Путина и вторгнитесь в Беларусь, освободите белорусский народ, затем объединитесь как люди в свободе, живите в мире и танцуйте на улицах. Сдавайтесь, не боритесь #Украина #StandWithUkraine Выступайте против #VladofPutler aka #DobbyTheWarElf и #LooneyLukashenko aka #DrDumb от завоевания мира. C

[@christopherharmon2433]

@@chilesauce7248 I don't read Cyrillic.

[@chilesauce7248]

@@christopherharmon2433 I want to address the Russian people: To all Russian soldiers, lower your weapons, Putin is not worth dying for! He is a coward and a tyrant to even the Russian peoples, rise up good people of Russia and take back your freedom, overthrow the evil dictator who has been lying to you, the dictator who has stolen 650 billion dollars from your country to pay for bombs. Soldier take back your freedom, remove Putin and invade Belarus, liberate the Belarussian people's, then unite as one under the sky in freedom, live in peace and dance in the streets. Do not fight for #PoisonerPutin aka #DobbyTheWarElf & #LoonyLukashenko aka #DrDumb

[@raiviste4187]

Thank You for this video. The time is very sad for Ukraine, for all the former Soviet nations and for all the world. 💙💛Support to Ukraine 🇺🇦 Слава Украине!

[@sujalgarewal2685]

A few questions though... (And I dont want the madman/expansionist/compromised answer) 1) Who tf expects that a military conflict would end in 4 days 2) With this massive Russian intelligence, why couldn't they figure out that Crimeans and Ukrainians are different and Ukrainians wont "Accept the Russians with open arms" 3) Why is NATO burning all bridges for reconciliation, and effectively making Putin a) more desperate and aggressive; and b) pushing him into Chinese arms. 4) What are other countries doing to actually help Ukraine defend itself, apart from the moral support. And I mean to actually help Ukraine defend it's territorial integrity. Not giving Russia a bloody nose before inevitably getting your bones broken.

[@simonh6371]

Pretty sure they knew the Ukrainians (except the ethnic Russian ones in Donbass) wouldn't welcome them with open arms.

[@sujalgarewal2685]

@@simonh6371 Exactly. My point is that we are only hearing arguments which lead to the conclusion that either Russians are stupid or Putin has gone mad.

[@simonh6371]

@@sujalgarewal2685 This isn't very smart (I mean of the mainstream media, Western politicians etc.) to think that, because I don't think either are the case. If they really believe that, they've been tricked by the Russians who have perfected the art of military deception as a strategy/tactic over centuries. However I'm sure those in the know in the West (military top brass etc.) don't think that and are just trying to deceive their own populations for whatever reason.

[@simonh6371]

@@sujalgarewal2685 As to the old ''Russian expansionism'' argument, this doesn't make sense unless they've done an abrupt about face on their withdrawal 1,000 miles/1,600km eastwards in the early 90s. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of geopolitics over the last 30 years can see it's NATO who has been expansionist. Funny today I was thinking today how in reality NATO's whole reason for existing disappeared in 1991 and they promptly went on to invade other countries, to justify their existence perhaps? Even though I thought they were in the right in the First Gulf War in 1991, it's now clear that Kuwait were fracking oil deposits in Iraq, and that our media lied to us with the whole ''babies being incinerated'' story.

[@sujalgarewal2685]

​@@simonh6371 Agreed. Though for First gulf war I would still give it to the US because Iraq did illegally invade Kuwait (except if Kuwait's fracking constitutes an act of war, which AKAIK doesn't). But post that, with it's role in Yugoslavia, Iraq '03, Libya, Syria etc, those resemble a lot to this Russian invasion.

[@Sfaxx]

To clarify about neo-nazi groups in Ukraine: I was worrying there is something like alt-right in my country but after a good look at most prominent far-right groups are just nationalistic. Main goal is to preserve Ukraine as independent state (that's why they went to fight as volunteers in 2014) and have a lot of tolerance to other cultures and races (haven't seen large scale anti-Semitism, racism, etc. in that groups). Moreover not only Ukrainians joining that groups to fight RU. So from my research currently there's no prominent groups like alt-right in my country (also I'm trying to warn people about dangers of restoring nazi ideas and to help them to recognize it)

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

White Supremacist and Neo-Nazi Groups definitely exist, but they are a fraction of a tiny percentage of the population and currently hold no political power. (The leader of the Azov Battalion held office briefly, and was voted out.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKqcYmN8fJlpeZY The Azov Battalion was incorporated into the Ukrainian National Guard as a measure to keep them in check by making them accountable to orders and to keep them away from being able to commit war crimes while keeping the possibility of having them around as a last ditch reserve.

[@Sfaxx]

@@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive no one really heard about Azov before war in Donbass started. Then news was reporting on how they're fighting, defending our land. That's the only reason why most of Ukrainians may have positive opinion of any of such groups. They're treated as defenders of homeland. Also, just a reminder: Ukraine suffered from nazis a lot in WW2 and people still remember those atrocities. It would be hard for real neo-nazis to gain a lot of support. But risks of ultranationalism are present like in any other country of course

[@simonh6371]

@@Sfaxx I think Azov only formed in 2014?

[@Sfaxx]

@@simonh6371 frankly? No idea. I only heard about them for the first time in reports about war in Donbass on national news

[@simonh6371]

@@Sfaxx Yeah I think they were only formed when it started. Loads of information about them online, even wiki.

[@bigsarge2085]

The Cold War never realy ended.

[@Vintagevanessa99]

very interesting perspective thankyou