The West? Not so much, coz we've off-shored it in joy of asset-strip profit. This means, roughly, that Russia can produce tanks, guns, shells and planes at approximately war-time scale and we can't. Our miserable proxy is suffering accordingly. See Kupiansk and everywhere else. Also, some reported 20,000 volunteers are joining up to fight in the SMO a month. Ukraine? Not so much. Now ask yourselves this.
How much money did our beloved rulers get out of this bloodbath? How many people became even richer than they already were because we broke the Minsk Accords? Many. And all for what? In an insane grifting gamble against Russia. Like wow, come back Napoleon, all is forgiven. Anyway, let's see how this worm turns.
LL offers some basic analysis. Bear in mind that he's a total patriot and no friend of Russian expansionism, also a realist, which is apparently a rare thing in the West. Click link for graphics and all of that:
Ukraine
There are many reasons why Vladimir Vladimrovich wanted to seize Ukraine for Russia. Among those were the population of ethnic Slavs who could be integrated into Great Russia, which has a severely declining population. It is a large European country with a population of 44.13 million (2020. )
As the picture (right) illustrates, it is strategically positioned on the planet. If you’re a Russian, the concern that it would join NATO makes sense.
Beyond that:
The first uranium reserves in Europe.
Second place in Europe, 10th place in the world in titanium reserves;
Second place in terms of manganese ore reserves discovered in the world (2.3 billion tonnes, i.e. 12% of the world’s reserves);
Second largest reserves of iron ore (30 billion tons);
Second place in Europe with regard to mercury ore reserves;
Third in Europe place (13. place in the world) in natural gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters)
Seventh place in coal reserves in the world (33.9 billion tons)
The first in Europe in terms of land under cultivation;
Third place in the world (25% of the world) with regard to black barren soil (cherjoznom);
Ranked first in the world in the export of sunflower and sunflower oil;
Second place on Earth for barley production fourth place in barley for export;
Third biggest producer and 4th largest maize exporter;
Fourth largest producer of potatoes;
Fifth largest producer of rye;
Fifth largest production of honey (75,000 tons);
The eighth largest wheat exporter;
Ninth largest exporter of chicken eggs;
Sixteenth largest cheese exporter;
First in Europe in ammonia production;
Eighth largest in terms of the installed capacity of nuclear power plants;
Third largest exporter of iron
Fourth largest exporter of turbines for nuclear powerplants.
Fourth of the world largest manufacturer of rocket launchers;
Fourth larges exporter of clay;
Fourth world titanium exports;
Tenth largest producer of steel.
And the Big Guy only wanted 10% for himself…
Ukraine is losing the war. The weight of numbers is telling against them. Congress is trying to hold back the red hoard with taxpayer dollars, but the tide is turning. Russia is gaining leverage for a negotiated peace. The US Congress needs a reality check before they write another $200 billion check.
I 100% agree.
L+
