US intelligence finds Russia planning Ukraine offensive

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By AAMER MADHANI, ELLEN KNICKMEYER, NOMAAN MERCHANT and ALEXANDRA JAFFE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has pledged to make it “very, very difficult” for Russia’s Vladimir Putin to take military action in Ukraine as U.S. intelligence officials determined that Russian planning is underway for a possible military offensive that could begin as soon as early 2022.

The new intelligence finding estimates that the Russians are planning to deploy an estimated 175,000 troops and almost half of them are already deployed along various points near Ukraine’s border, according to a Biden administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the finding.

It comes as Russia has picked up its demands on Biden to guarantee that Ukraine will not be allowed to join the NATO alliance.

The official added that the plans call for the movement of 100 Russian battalion tactical groups along with armor, artillery and equipment.



President Joe Biden talks with reporters at the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, as he prepares to leave for Camp David. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-ff5ac633e928a01b7d6d3bdbe2330fe2

[IronLionZion]

1. Damn it Putin

They have been massing troops along the border claiming it's to block Ukraine's admission into NATO. If they don't get an excuse to invade they'll just make one up. As if anyone believes Putin's BS.



https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/russia-ukraine-invasion/2021/12/03/98a3760e-546b-11ec-8769-2f4ecdf7a2ad_story.html

[oldsoftie]

2. I'm not a strategist but we need to give Ukraine the help they need

There has to be some equipment that can bring massive casualties to the Russians if they cross the line & attack. I dont know how it would work as I'm not up to speed on military equipment, but i'm sure some folks here would know.

There were stories from the initial invasion about the Russians back home being very unhappy with the number of russians killed. And that was when Putin denied ANY were even there.

[IronLionZion]

3. Do we though?

Biden has threatened economic sanctions on Russia. They will retaliate by cutting gas supply to Europe. But I doubt anyone really has the stomach for war with Russia. Putin is counting on the west to give up on Ukraine.

[ShazamIam]

6. I have been watching for an EU response to this and haven't found much. I have began to wonder if

both U.S. and Russia are using this for political manipulation. Our MSM news leans heavily conservative and Russian. Everyone wants to avoid war, it looks like the media is trying to portray Biden adm as pushing too aggressively on Russia because( insert /s) you know, the "Democratic are such war mongers."

[oldsoftie]

7. And then Estonia. Then the rest of Georgia. Etc. "Peace in our time"

And when the US cant be trusted to provide help, we're in big trouble. The West prodded Ukraine to give up their nukes by promising that we would keep them safe. So none of that means anything?

Obviously we woudnt put troops in. But it CAN be made a very costly invasion

[IronLionZion]

23. Estonia has been a NATO member since 2004

NATO upgraded defenses in the Baltic after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.

I hate to say it but one of the main reasons Ukraine has not been admitted into NATO is they have been invaded before and are at high risk of being invaded again.

European countries seem to expect that Putin will stop once he takes what he wants from Ukraine and Georgia and not invade any more countries. This isn't Germany in WW2.

[EX500rider]

11. No law against selling them anti-armor weapons and drones etc. nt

[Voltaire2]

9. We have zero viable options.

If Russia decides to annex parts of eastern Ukraine there is not much we can do other than utter stern objections.

[dalton99a]

4. Kick

[Bayard]

5. Not good

I think Putin is testing Biden. See if he can create even more chaos here by dragging us into another war. TFG was not as productive as he'd hoped, so he's trying a different tact to finish destroying our democracy here.

[HUAJIAO]

10. bingo

[mahina]

16. With China dancing in Taiwan and MSM

War cheerleaders, it’s a tricky biz.

I trust Joe.

[HUAJIAO]

8. I strongly suspected this was coming several months after trump got elected in 2016.

And I'm no smarter than anybody else.

Destabilize Europe and the USA ESPECIALLY the USA, destroy democracy and poof...

[SheltieLover]

12. Admit Ukraine to NATO!

[Voltaire2]

19. That would result in Russian annexation of

the entire Ukraine. Then what? Nukes?

[SheltieLover]

20. Russia needs to stop being the world bully!

Last edited Sat Dec 4, 2021, 06:20 PM - Edit history (1)

Someone needs to puf putin in his place. Feel free to use your imagination here...

[Voltaire2]

21. Uh, um, we are the world's bully.

Russia would like to also do some bullying.

[turbinetree]

13. Donbas region......

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-ukraine-trying-drag-it-into-donbass-conflict-2021-11-01/


https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kremlin-says-turkish-drones-risk-destabilising-situation-east-ukraine-2021-10-27/

[modrepub]

14. From A Country That Had to Have Its Aircraft Carrier Towed to Syria

Wars are expensive and prone to being unpredictable. This is not the fabled Russian Army of Stalin and that one threw millions of soldiers lives away to achieve its goals. If there's any organized resistance or if there are resupply issues then Russia isn't guaranteed a swift and painless victory.

If anything, Russia is just picking a fight to try and deflect attention away from its own internal problems. Not that the US is going to be able to do much but it can make life uncomfortable for Putin via economic sanctions and strategic destabilization efforts.

[EndlessWire]

17. LOL! n/t

[oldsoftie]

26. You make good points. Russia is more "paper" than most realize.

Most troops are conscripts and most have little training. their equipment breaks down often. The people back home dont stay quiet as in years past.
Make an invasion costly in troops

[mahina]

15. I find it offensive too

[Roy Rolling]

18. Kleptocracy

When there’s nothing left on Russia to steal, Putin invades Ukraine and steals what he wants there. A world marketplace that trades such stolen property is corrupt. The Russian people don’t think invading Ukraine will make their lives better, they see it as a dictator move, too.

It’s a mess, but I’d judge the long-term prospects of any war by how many Russian domestic, anti-war protests disrupt the country.

I’d be surprised if anyone is patriotic enough to volunteer for the next Putin plunder.

[blue-wave]

22. Vlad appears to be willing

to start WWIII. Frankly, I think he's a psychopath. Ukraine and it's people are not Russian. They never were.

Many Russians feel that all Slavic peoples are Russian. It's a delusional idea that foments ethnic hate and war. Knowing what I do about Russian thought on this topic, I'm extremely saddened and heartbroken for Ukraine. This is because I believe Putin will militarily invade Ukraine. Yes, a sad day for Ukraine and the world.

I'm with you Ukraine! Stay strong in the face of tyranny! Tverdi, micni, nezlamni mov granit! Slava Ukrayini heroyam slava!

[roamer65]

24. I would guess the Russians will go all the way to the Dnieper.

That is where they will stop.

That would basically occupy all of eastern Ukraine and give them a land route to Crimea.

[blue-wave]

29. Putin will not stop with Ukraine

He wants all of it back. The Baltic States, Poland, Hungary etc.

He is a psychopath and cares not for the human race, including his own people.

[roamer65]

30. ..

[sakabatou]

25. Putin wants the USSR back together

[electric_blue68]

27. Big side of family (mom) is 1st Gen Greek Americans.My dad was 1st gen Ukrainian American...

Last edited Mon Dec 6, 2021, 01:21 AM - Edit history (1)

We often went to a a Ukrainian Catholic Church. We have pysanka (the beautiful multi colored designed dyed eggs), Ukrainian (as well as Greek) Easter foods. My mom would make Ukrainian Easter bread. 💖
My dad was an only child so no cousins on that side etc .

Anyway, it angers me that frikkin' Putin is possibly going to further invade The Ukraine. (Putin is horrible for any number of reasons)

It doesn't seem that we can do that much to help.
I hope we do send anti tank missiles, other arms, other supplies etc. Make his further incursion as costly as possible so Russians protest that.

I read (by accident happenig to see it at my library) Ukrainian Night:____________ by Mari Shore a historian who went to The Ukraine to interview participants in the '13-'14 invasion.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

28. 😥