Putin is desperate, but not stupid | Lord McDonald

"The war has gone as bad as possible for Putin. He now finds himself having to explain himself to his hardliners, to his army, to his people - all of them are unhappy."
Putin is ‘desperate, not stupid’, former head of the foreign office Lord McDonald tells #TimesRadio.
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[@risc1971]

We have only lost 6000 soldiers but we need 300,000 to replace them.

[@Blacksheeps4929]

Yes lol

[@erniebuchinski3614]

It's the use of "special math" for a "special military operation." 😆

[@thatdognotthepuppy5809]

The thing people constantly forget is that Russia has a really strong history of refusing nuclear attack orders, and it isn't just down to Putin. After Putin there are around 16 (some say 20) people that have to agree to a launch, suffice to say someone is going to say no.

[@khiem1939]

True, there MUST be at least ONE thinking person in Russia who KNOWS that a Nuclear launch will be the END of Russia!

[@thatdognotthepuppy5809]

@@jochenarweiler9909 If I remember correctly, it's in the same ball park. No more than 25, I'd imagine.

[@tenminutetravelbreak]

My wife is Russian, and my brother in law, RIP, served in the Russian rocket forces. Their forces distill and drink (seriously) their own rocket fuel. It is quite possible that they are simply unable to reliably deploy and fire these tactical rocket delivery systems.

[@kc4cvh]

@@jochenarweiler9909 Every American. Who never finished high school and drinks a lot.

[@niclasjohansson4333]

Dont take it for granted.....

Imagine not even being able to stand during your insane war ramblings. FDR stood during his speeches and he was literally a paraplegic. Putin is legitimately the saddest dictator ever. Pre recorded too.

[@alainlefebvre9860]

For all we know, he's "gone". 🤞🤞

[@republica843]

Did you see during Russia's WWII celebration a few months ago, Sputin sitting in a chair, with a blanket over his legs. That is an image of FDR. I cringed watching what Sputin was trying to project. Pathetic and an insult to the memory of FDR. Someone should have told Sputin, you're no FDR, you pathetic little man.

[@andersonanderson1525]

150k allied forces - sanction vs 600k ukraine troops+whole nato support yet russia still secured almost 20% of ukraine territory, how about +300k mobilization? The whole east of ukraine will be captured

[@STHFGDBY]

He surely is the saddest cowardly lame Russian leader ever.

[@andersonanderson1525]

Not to mention strategic collapse of EU energy crises and dedolarization, russia win bigs this time

[@Waltham1892]

Somewhere in Russia a group of senior officials are having an informal conversation about the future of Russia and Putin's name doesn't factor into the conversation. Somewhere in the Russia, someone is doing math on the back of an envelope, calculating how many would be on his side and how many won't. He will throw that envelope into the fire, but the numbers will stay in his head. Somewhere in Russia, a General is wondering if the road to the Kremlin is shorter than the road to the Donbas.

[@baldyslapnut.]

Good vignette. This has been the playbook fir every autocrats demise.

[@Vicious1ify]

Yeah right :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpmcnKmhoNSpf80

[@baldyslapnut.]

@@jochenarweiler9909 what about him, he isn't an autocrat, a fascist, a narcissist or a career dictator so there is no parallel to be drawn with Putin. If you think there is, that is your opinion but we all know they're like cracks in derrieres.

[@dank1518]

Nobody’s saying it but 300,000 troops will have to be transported & like last time a mass Russian force approached it was spotted & arrangements were made.

[@TremereTT]

they will travel by train. And then they will send them walk towards the Front.... And Maybe a day of rest then, treating soar feet &c. And then storming into prepared fields of fire of artillery and mortars.... until some push through.... so Ukraine retreats to a deaper defence and continues killing the Russians that made it so far... grinding Russian numbers down in deep defence. A few months later Ukraine does a counter offensive against demoralized and under equiped and badly supplied soldiers. And we are b back where we are today, but with more Russians in a low moral with weapons, they might at sind point turn at moscow.

[@aenorist2431]

They are not actually gonna raise 300k ... most of this is just to trickle in a few thousand here or there, and to prevent the existing contract soldiers from breaking their contracts (which they started to do in quite large numbers recently).

[@craffte]

The tea towel was spread out. And tea was served. Slava Ukraine.

[@MikeOxlong-]

AND - one of the many very serious issues with putler’s war-fighting machine is logistics!! In addition to that, is the fact that they’ve already used (and mostly lost) all of their wheeled transport means (kamaz trucks), and only really have rail to move anything substantial around (people included) - and trains and railroad infrastructure are incredibly easy targets...

[@stuartbeard966]

They'll be slaughtered like pig's in an abattoir and sound pretty much the same.

[@therallybeard]

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” SUN TZU.

[@relax_and_smile2527]

Like the cowardly US army, went to war in Afghanistan and was humiliated by a bunch of tribesmen in slippers who didn't even own a single jet.

[@k.k356]

This truly is putins last stand. If this does not work out(which it wont.) the only options he has left is full mobilization, or nuclear. But by that point, russia will most likely start revolting in different parts of the county. Putin has a few months left at most, and what russia will do next is gonna decide their fate.

[@edthoreum7625]

Sabotage by Russia is key

[@julianbrelsford]

I don't know what happens if Russia drops a nuke but I think Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping may have already told Putin what kind of consequences THEY can impose upon a country trying to get ahead in an offensive war by using nukes. As for full mobilization in Russia, I think that might be just the thing that would see Putin overthrown.

[@happyhappynuts]

The climate in Indian is still pro-Russian. With the cheaper oil coupled with historical sentiments, i can see India still not condemning Putin even after a tactical nuke is used

[@khiem1939]

@@happyhappynuts True, so India has Nukes, Pakistan does TOO, but BOTH know that use of them would completely DESTROY both of their countries!

[@happyhappynuts]

@@jochenarweiler9909 umm ok. Basket case Russia that can't even make airbags and reliable turbo engines will beat down NATO. Cool story bro

[@KirbyDog]

While the tipping point in Russia is not yet forecastable, the partial mobilization - and likely failure thereof -- is evidence of Russia’s weakness and brings the collapse of the regime closer. Dictators who fail in war have a short life expectancy: Putin should worry about the fate of Mussolini, Saddam, and Ghaddafi.

[@oneshothunter9877]

His situation is more like Adolf Hitlers - hiding in a bunker. Maybe he will end up swallowing poison and shooting a bullet through his own head.

[@poulthomas469]

If you live by the sword you better not show any weakness.

[@righthandstep5]

This^^^^^

[@edthoreum7625]

There are multi doubles and clones of him,,,,

[@martinfedor5659]

Hopefully tommorow

[@hare1729]

What I find bizarre is no one or country is threatening Russia

[@khiem1939]

Other than Communist China, I know of NO country who would WANT Russia!

[@keyboardcommando7000]

No one has to just look at what supplying arms to Ukraine has done to them 😭

[@lairddougal3833]

I have nothing but contempt for Putin’s Russia and its barbaric military, but my heart goes out to those Russians who have just tried to get on with their lives in the awful world of Putin’s authoritarian kleptocracy. One way or another every generation for centuries they have had their teeth kicked in by autocrats. It is a massive pity.

[@drevil4454]

But they can stand up to the russian regime, yes? Think about it. If every abled body in russia turn against putin wether by force or otherwise they will outnumber his troops and police. Yes some people will loose their lives but the why should the Ukranians suffer while they are in contempt? Nah, me believe it's time for the russian people to grow a backbone and push Putin out no matter what it takes.

[@brianrichards6368]

I agree, they need a proper revolution, ordinary Russians are victims of Putin, good point

[@percyfaith11]

The ruzzian serfs always loved to be ruled by Tsars.

[@davidbowyer6897]

Well said.

[@johnwilsdon5456]

You cannot just get on when you have a "leader" who is definitely deranged. His legacy is to have attacked and warred against helpless people in helpless countries. AT some point, the populace needs to stand up. Yes, it is a scary proposition but it must be done. Better now than later - the West will guarantee that Pooptin must get out of Ukraine. Does anything go into his ears, or does it just blow through the grey matter and out the other ear? If so, Russia is really in big time trouble.

[@Stanley-px3bt]

Step1: Give the Ukrainians about 50 more HIMARS systems and train the crews. Step 2: Wait for the new unit convoys to arrive. Step 3: Hit them with HIMARS rockets as they cross into Ukraine.

[@stephengrimmer35]

They don't need training. They are doing fine by themselves. They will just split the existing crews up and train themselves. Just give them the launchers and a constant missile supply.

[@chesslover8829]

Why not give Ukraine 300 more HIMARS and NASAMS, respectively?

[@stuartbeard966]

Yep.

[@mickm5097]

One of the main issues with HIMARS is that while we have the systems, we don't have a significant stockpile of the rockets, and they take a significant period of time to manufacture. Ukraine has used many. The US and other countries have a certain reserve they require themselves to keep for their own potential military use. I'm sure the manufacturer of HIMARS rockets is producing them, but I understand their complexity makes the process fairly slow. So sending more HIMARS launching systems is only part of the equation.

[@Dionysus784]

oh wow, such a strategy, you played red alert i see

[@davidreid8075]

Excellent interview..

[@larsrons7937]

Russian soldier: _"Farewell, dear mother. Putin has mobilized and sends me to Ukraine to die, I'm off to the meat grinder."_ Russian mother: _"No, Ivan, not meat grinder, I have that in kitchen. Steal microwave or coffee maker - and toilet!"_

[@khiem1939]

Yes, she can put that toilet in the outhouse behind her hovel!

[@cousinmerl]

😂

[@whizzer2944]

Not even mildly amusing , my jokes are better.

[@amatuer2]

This war has proven to all the world that Mad Vlad has proven to the world :" the emperor has no clothes"!!!

[@patbaptiste9510]

If he was smart, he never would have started this war.

[@namiboosterhuizen6610]

It doesn't matter how bad the winter gets; it is nothing compared to what the Ukrainians are going through.

[@deang5622]

So a war kicks off in one country, anywhere in the world, does that mean every other country should be expected to suffer too? That seems to be what you are suggesting.

[@WiseOne93]

@@deang5622 I agree, these simps think we should suffer the same fate.

[@cassiemolly7263]

They’re not going through anything. They’re carrying on as normal or fleeing to other parts of Europe and milking it. And since when should every other country suffer because of some beef between two other neighbouring countries? So if Russia for example nuked Ukraine do,you think it’s fair or right that NATO should attack back thus putting Europe and America in grave danger. If Ukraine get nuked then so be it. Why should the rest of us have to die….doesn’t make sense. Sorry but I don’t want to die a horrific death during a nuclear attack for the sake of the Ukraine who incidentally started all this years ago.

[@timonsolus]

@@deang5622 : If we want to end war as a tool of foreign policy, then yes, everyone needs to suffer so that everyone does something to stop it.

[@callumhaines6874]

The thing is though pal I don’t actually care about the Ukrainians. Shocking I know.

[@sharithabodhakhedun2305]

We all stand with United States so that Ukrianians gets their territorial integrity and freedom in Ukraine 👍👍🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 Bravo Ukraine victory to Ukraine God bless Zelensky and his brave Ukrainian soldiers

[@PedroFerreira-ze5yp]

The world must come together to STOP this mad man!

[@thebros2866]

At this point we should say we are letting Ukraine join NATO and the EU. If Russia wants to annex Ukrainian territory then Ukraine is no longer neutral and the deal of Ukraine not joining the EU is off.

[@michaeldunham3385]

What deal?

[@hmmcinerney]

They have earned it with their courage and persistence, they would make a strong ally.

[@Dizle81]

Ukraine cannot join if its in a war

[@karmpuscookie]

Idiotic. Ukraine doesn't qualify for NATO. Do your homework.

[@ianlouden7939]

I doubt that could be rushed through as one or 2 NATO countries are pro Russian, but it would cause a stalemate in Putin's game if it could happen.

[@SCBlueDevil]

His nuclear threats seemed much more scary in February…now it just feels like a boy crying wolf…does anyone actually think that paper tiger is actually going to sign off on his own death? I highly doubt it. Also who announces they are not bluffing unless they are literally doing that

[@timonsolus]

My thoughts exactly. The more often the nuclear threat is used, the less impact it has. Eventually the only way that Putin will be able to get attention with a nuclear weapon is to detonate one. Hopefully he will start by conducting a nuclear test in the Arctic rather than attack Ukraine with one.

[@jamesdunn5473]

I feel bad for ordinary russians who oppose this war, and im worried that this is a precursor to full mobilization if this dosent yeild some results.

[@SeemoreDunkan]

Imagine if Ukraine suddenly said ''We DO have 2 nukes left''.

[@martinfedor5659]

They should give it to them.

[@Ash01010]

kid Ukraine is gone

[@aA-ye1cf]

Who knows. . . . . 😉

[@joaopk6263]

@@Ash01010 exactly bro

[@garyholt8315]

they gave back to Russia 5000 back in 1992. maybe they kept 2 or more just in case?

[@johnpro2847]

countries rarely flag their military intentions in advance..unless to obfuscate or intimidate.

[@whizzer2944]

Good point , but so many spies about it's hard to keep anything secret , although the Ukrainians managed it recently.

[@abuyousufgallego7516]

So good to listen to Lord McDonald. Very intelligent and full of wisdom.

[@misterhoneybunny1915]

Pretending that democratic Russia is the Soviet Union is mentally incoherent.

[@erikhalvorseth3950]

As a Norwegian, it is refreshing to see the British leadership leading on in not only critizicm against Russia but actual military support to Ukraine. I am ashamed of my as always weak and buckling (Labour) Prime Minister lookin like a scared muppet and not following up words with actual military aid. 15 old artillery pieces wont do it. We look like that monkass Scholz in Germany. Well done Britain keep it up 👍

[@WiseOne93]

You shouldn't be thanking my country because this isn't their war and neither your country either.

[@arkadiusztrzesniewski3486]

I live in Poland. I put all my hopes on climate change, so this winter was as warm as possible and thus I won't be ruined by high taxes.

[@berechianyanwu1154]

Yes , Putin is absolutely desperate and panicky.

[@paperandmedals8316]

Plus petty. For someone that is always touting their country’s formidable strength he is prone to pettiness.

[@jeannettejordan7104]

Why do commentators keep ignoring the fact that for Russia’s people they have to do absolutely nothing to have every inch of ground that is theirs. They simply have to give up what was never theirs. The rest of this problem is Putin’s ego which needs to be taken off stage.

[@rg-cc5kg]

" I am not concerned, his nuclear threats are a sign of desparation" - I thought this was the problem.

[@gigacanno750]

As Lord MacDonald stated, if he did, it'll only get worse.

[@juliataylor2623]

The supreme irony is that Liz Truss may defeat Putin but will lose to Starmer in an echo of Churchill in 1945.

[@bujin1977]

Interesting that they can mention that we in the UK were very slow to deal with Russian oligarchs and yet completely "forget" to mention that so many of the current government and ruling party have been receiving significant donations from those same Russian oligarchs for years...

[@keithpalmer4547]

We need to be willing to confront putin in FULL FORCE!!!!!!

[@MrSimonw58]

F* yeah!

[@danschroeder1690]

So we can controlled by the NWO and US deepstate. Great, sounds fun...

[@daxw2460]

Off you Go ... First in line up there buddy!

[@norbertgeorge7700]

For what?! So we can all die? Be real my friend, you haven't seen anything yet Russia will now be sending the big boys, and the game is about to change drastically, in a way even we can't handle.... judged by our own failures in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq!!!

[@AyitiSitadel]

Just reminder every time Europeans mess with Russia, they were subsequently defeated. History always repeat itself when people don't draw any conclusion from it. Europe is by far the poorest continent in terms of natural resources. So be careful!

[@StPiter111]

You're hysterical 😁😁😁😁

[@pioneernut7487]

Russian lying bot spotted

[@davidbowyer6897]

Too many Russians have tried to ignore the war. Hopefully this makes it real for them.

[@RHP9898]

Just because he wasn't invited to the Queens funeral....

[@saymyname218]

At least we have a PM who will happily push the reciprocal armageddon button........"To help us all out!"

[@izramamna6850]

If he is smart, he should stop that called "special operation" immediately.

[@rossmurray6849]

"Yes. But I say yes boldly, meaning I hope so." Sir Humphry would have been so proud.

[@rburnett6266]

The thing about Pootin' is....he is not thinking clearly. His enemies surround him now....he had another assassination attempt last week. The attempts themselves are getting better. Pootin' travels a lot, and has a good double. To succeed, one will have to use remote control, and drop explosives from any aerial construction...a bridge overpass, a big highway signpost, any overpass...etc. Pootin' is being bombarded by microwaves every day.. by his enemies. So, don't expect his brain to keep working correctly.....

[@asan1050]

Thanks Much !

[@jimjonsen1591]

There is a reason why the Soviet Union, nor any nuclear power, never launched a first strike (nuclear attack) since Word War 2, despite all of the Cold War fears that the Soviets would. And its because you can't launch a first strike without being annihilated in the second strike. I remember in the 80s when The Day After aired, and everyone hoped the Soviets would see the movie and learn the lesson. Probably not realizing the Soviets can be trusted to act in the best self-interests...which mutually assured destruction is clearly against... and that the Soviets knew this since the 60s, if not the 50s. -- How is it any different today? Even if Putin had the launch codes (he doesn't), or the ability to order a first strike by himself (he doesn't), even he would know the response is not going to be 'more sanctions'. -- The only way I could fathom Russia using a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, or against any enemy country, is the FSB had a foolproof plan to blame am ISIS terror cell, or rogue Chechen element, or claim the Ukrainians did it in a false-flag conspiracy to frame the Russians. -- But that would require a convincing story on how such an element got the nuclear weapon 'elsewhere', and eliminating everyone involved in the planning and execution. Whatever the case, Russia would need absolute plausible deniability. -- Here's my two cents, if there was really a way to use a nuclear weapon against an enemy without equal repercussions, Russia and China (and the US) would have figured it out a long time ago and did it already. All NATO must do is take out Moscow and 5 -6 other city's to take out all of Russia.... But Russia must take out city's all over the planet from USA , CANADA ,FRANCE UK. ALL OF EUROPE and as far away as , AUSTRALIA and so on and so on ... United Kingdom 225 warheads (submarine delivery systems new and up to date systems ) France 300 warheads (submarine delivery systems new and up to date systems ) United States 7,315 warheads (Mixed delivery systems new and up to date systems ) Russia 8,000 warheads (Mixed delivery systems old mostly from the soviet union times NOT up to date systems ) RUSSIA IS AT DISADVANTAGE !!! and they know it Putin's regime knows its and that is why they will not use nukes they will hint and shout about nukes but that's it !!

[@pioneernut7487]

Exactly

[@garyholt8315]

thanks 4 doing all that research 👍👌❤

[@AwesomeRepix]

That mustache is godly..

[@gnomecagnome3204]

300.000 baby and old soldiers with a slingshot in hand. How armed this peoples? 😂

[@matsfrommusic]

Well he kind of is.

[@JohnnyD45]

Excellent commentary.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Maybe the English should join the EU. They don't stand a chance on their own.

[@appletree6741]

Putin is on a dead end street and accelerating

[@dean-gm1lg]

With no brakes

[@JK3___201]

But like Jordan Peterson said, half of Ukraine is disabled (more like LEVELED to ground) so how could that be a loss in anyone's eyes?

[@utubefrog09]

Weren’t all western powers in Afghanistan for 20 yrs?😂😂😂😂 and Putin is desperate after 8 months? 🤦‍♂️

[@terryb4547]

I'm not Bluffing !. Sounds like a desperate thing to say from a world leader, as though he's run out of options. He's liable to do anything after a statement like that.

[@erichert1001]

Putin may or may not be desperate enough to order nukes, the question is, are the people who have to actually carry out such an order desperate enough.

[@thomasdragosr.841]

Given the poor condition of his mechanized army and the low morale of his troops, I believe his generals might rebel at an order to nuke Ukraine. Also, given the sad state of their equipment how bad are his nukes? They might blow up on the launch pad.

[@garyholt8315]

good point !

[@robinusher5707]

Confucius says: defying Xi Jingping is really, really not a good idea.

[@baldyslapnut.]

I think it was Confused. Like you.

[@robinusher5707]

@@baldyslapnut. Whatever.

[@zeusc7140]

Putler is unhinged.

[@67daltonknox]

Funny watching Putin and Trump panicking and going down the tubes together... couldn't happen to a better pair.

[@72seeker72]

You're a fool if you are comparing the two.

[@livingadreamlife1428]

Only if the take Biden and his son with them.

[@ElsinoreRacer]

Not sure what you mean. Trump armed Ukraine. Biden blackmailed them to cover family graft. Facts are hard.

[@George.Andrews.]

Get them both out of our lives. Happy days.

[@gjthomas9770]

I shared a ciggy with Putin at a private dinner function. As he blew clouds of ciggy smoke in the air his eyes widened in surprise and pointed at the shape of pile of smoke and blurted out " Ukrani "

[@montanasoftware5954]

TO ALL VIEWERS: Ukraine is a cause worth supporting. Let's contact our government representatives to urge them to do two things: 1 - Increase military aid to Ukraine. 2 - Toughen sanctions on Russia. You can call your representatives, send them an email, send them a good old fashioned letter, respond to one of their Tweets ... something. Take the time to help Ukraine now ... you'll be proud of yourself when you do.

[@chrisblockley5783]

Stupidity and sanity are two different things however.

[@cassiemolly7263]

If you bothered to listen to his full speech with is an hour long you would realise he wasn’t threatening to nuke anyone. He was simply saying that should tactical nukes be used against his army or country he would retaliate immediately and rightly so. Same as any other country.

[@gigacanno750]

And threatened to use all tools at his disposal to defend Russian land, even if illegally annexed. Two areas of Russia proper and a number of blasts went off in Crimea. Unless the Russians are fully incompetent, blowing themselves up and all that, then Ukraine has already blew up Russian territory, but notably with as few civilian casualties as possible. What did Putin do? Conventional force. He can’t really force people to admit that annexed turf is now Russian. Even China never admitted Crimea is Russian, and they’ve been pretty buddy-buddy with Putin until recently.

[@jujuoliver6959]

14 comments and yet only one of them shown. Strange!

[@sultanofzanzibar2729]

Lord McDonald, what a name. Could've come out from an Xbox's MW2 lobby.

[@Blacksheeps4929]

A serial frequenter of a certain fast food chain

[@andrewmackay1350]

But desperate men do desperate things!!

[@isokabooks3758]

And who isn't desperate?

[@ChairmanMeow1]

Am I the only one that found it bad that he didnt even stand up to announce the mobilization? When you're announcing something that affects 300K people you cant even stand up and look us in the eyes?

[@markmccorrie3905]

This is what you thinks makes Putin bad?

[@ChairmanMeow1]

@@markmccorrie3905 Its one of the many, many things that do.

[@Dionysus784]

in short, the shitstorm has no ending

[@au3264]

That little sentence, that does it. He's actually bluffing. If it comes to it, hope not, but if it does, call him out.

[@zapfanzapfan]

They haven't tested any since Soviet days... I wonder how well maintained they have been since then...

[@54blewis]

If you think that a person who unilaterally without provocation and absolutely under no threat invades a neighboring country inflicts untolded death and destruction,suffers an unprecedented defeat,demands conscription, and is now facing a unrest from the population and a possible revolt along with the threat of mutiny in the army…is a rational human being and not schizophrenic,narcissistic,psychopath on top being paranoid sociopath…then you’re seriously naive…

[@michelle1268]

A desperate little man

[@johnshull2454]

Sounds legit. Putin is recreating a position of power to negotiate from and keep his local wolves from his door.

[@randallreed9048]

...Or not!

[@bikepartsbikeparts9224]

You could have fooled me.

[@omnislasherRX7]

Well yeah he is smart because he simply has nothing to lose! And he seems very desperate indeed. An incredibly dangerous situation.

[@jim2376]

Global warming to the rescue? Will global warming deliver a mild winter?

[@spirokaci]

Putin playing his last card. In the end nobody is going to press the "red button".

[@markanderson3870]

So basically a good politician he didn't answer the question about Northern Ireland.

[@Thomas-sf3qd]

Desperate man do Desperate things...

[@EBAYvillager]

Uniting Western Resolve is key: true

[@jamesharris184]

Famous last words... you cannot presuppose sanity.

[@victorfinberg8595]

Critical segue to Ireland at the end. The UK is no longer a world power, but it has a critical role to play in that particular situation.

[@jimmypenrose1401]

Not sure if I agree with this title: If Putin wasn't just a tad demented; he wouldn't have gotten into this mess in the first place.

[@gregorydesleskine3413]

A former Putin ally and top aviation expert has become the latest Russian official to fall to his death in mysterious circumstances. Anatoly Gerashchenko, the former rector of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), died on September 21. Gerashchenko reportedly slipped and tumbled down a flight of stairs at the institute's headquarters in Moscow.

[@Kuasarakyat2]

Putin did not make a threat... unless Russia is under attack by NATO. I thought Liz Truss says she will push the button, no?

[@jeffhawks446]

Never bring a T72 to a HIMARS fight.

[@willbygosh4887]

Pootin is full of it!!

[@jskelly7596]

Lindsey Graham was right. Right now, Russia needs a good patriotic Brutus.

[@crownhic6827]

It will be a mild winter.

[@331SVTCobra]

Someone who makes an absurd threat for a second time, then says "and I really mean it"... they need to reevaluate their life choices and decide on another approach.

[@matthewwiemken7293]

I have a button in front of me that I never get to push and I really really want to push it, but I'm not sure what will happen if I do:)

[@imagecollections6665]

If 190k soldiers deployed in early spring didn't work why would 300k reservists deploying in mid Autumn work? Even the Romans used to stop fighting in winter.

[@sevasthvostanski5588]

facts, the collective West, NATO has been approaching Russia's borders for 30 years in the premonition that Russia is too weak to stop them,until the moment when the Russians did not say enough, the bill is not paid by NATO but by Ukraine. if Russia feels pushed against the wall, someone from the west will pay the bill, I guess Britain is an island and the damage can be limited.to sacrifice one island in exchange for the whole world, I think the price is more than fair. Am I wrong?

[@pioneernut7487]

Youre wrong poor russian troll

[@sevasthvostanski5588]

@@pioneernut7487 I'm not Russian, thank God my people are much older than most of the so-called Western European nations and countries, I am from "old Europe", the source of European civilization, and I don't see trolling in the opinion that Britain is the greatest evil on the planet, because the nation that is responsible for the death of almost a billion people in the last 250 years deserves God's wrath

[@adriangrant1746]

Things will very rapidly get wrong for him and Russia mean what??

[@mikeg.5233]

Everyone has lost focus on what this nonsense is all about. Why don’t all the leaders of the world get together take a deep breath and make some sense out of this stupidity. Might be difficult because there doesn’t seem to be any common sense anymore.

[@peterlewis7228]

«Я умру за Россию, но не за Путина». "I will die for the Russian people but I will not die for Putin".

[@roberthamann7449]

Before Putin could 'push' the nuke button, one of his military men will 'pull the trigger on a pistol.'

[@pakde8002]

Let's hope elected officials take the shared burden of supporting Ukraine more seriously than they did the shared burden during the pandemic.

[@thebros2866]

Why can’t we get some Israeli iron dome missile defenses for Ukraine and Europe to prevent a possible missile/nuclear strike?

[@elizabethanderson2968]

They are not self-important enough ...

[@aenorist2431]

Because it can't do that. A scud or mortar round are completely different from an ICBM (about a thousanth as fast, for one). There is no reliable defense against nuclear attack in the world, and likely never will be.

[@zedeyejoe]

Iron dome does not protect against ballistic missiles.

[@janethompson5153]

I think it's the size of the land mass that's the problem. Isreal is small

[@start2957]

Iron dome was made for small rockets like hamas has you can't really stop nukes either

[@marinaserbia]

It's sickening to listen to speculations about whether Putin will start the nuclear war or not. Where did all the adults go..?

[@brentmarshall928]

Putin is little man with a big Ego.

[@christophercooper2208]

In the report i watched about what Russians feel about mobilisation, it seems the younger generation ate against it and the older generation are for it but they're not the ones who'll get called up.

[@gigacanno750]

And a minority that support it wholeheartedly

[@Aalliiiq]

We haven’t had a independent foreign policy for decades we just follow the Yanks.