[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)

[Eric the meek]

Just more examples of Russian state propaganda that’s deliberately aimed at the majority of the population who don’t understand basic economics and / or can’t believe (don’t want to believe) their government would lie to them. But some of this stuff must surely be getting beyond credible for even the thickest of them. Will there be a point where people realise that their every day life is being blighted by high interest rates and inflation that are the consequences of the policies of their government? Probably, but will they be prepared to go out on to the streets to protest about it?

It's really difficult to predict. You're asking people on here to predict what will happen in Russia as it descends further into chaos. There could be a thousand, or many thousands of, scenarios that unfold. But be aware that, at any point in the process, it is likely to be worse than we think, due to the political leaders covering it up.

What I think I'm noticing is a divergence in the official story, or reasons for the economic problems. There isn't a consistency of message from the top. This suggests that there isn't agreement across the leadership, a message is not forthcoming, there are factions in play, or a power vacuum developing.

Worth keeping an eye on. Sorry if this isn't the answer you were looking for....

 

[peterward]

Rather interesting and well laid out snapshot of Syria and potential geo political outcomes if/when Assad falls.

 

[raymondo]

Rather interesting and well laid out snapshot of Syria and potential geo political outcomes if/when Assad falls.

Wow, what a detailed analysis. Extremely complex, and I'll need to read that again to get my head round it!

 

[Triggaaar]

This is long (no need to watch unless really keen), but his basic message is that Russia have deliberately devalued their currency for a couple of reasons. They can pay soldiers in cheap rubles, and the oligarchs can also pay for production using cheap rubles, while selling abroad for dollars, and thus being better off.

This will be paid for by Russian citizens, who are being made poorer due to high inflation. It's not a sustainable solution, but it helps them keep going for a while longer.

 

[Eric the meek]

This is long (no need to watch unless really keen), but his basic message is that Russia have deliberately devalued their currency for a couple of reasons. They can pay soldiers in cheap rubles, and the oligarchs can also pay for production using cheap rubles, while selling abroad for dollars, and thus being better off.

This will be paid for by Russian citizens, who are being made poorer due to high inflation. It's not a sustainable solution, but it helps them keep going for a while longer.

Blimey. I need to digest that. I see Konstantin's next video is 'Putin is set to disappear'.

Edit: just to correct the timeline, the video from Konstantin 'Putin is set to disappear' was from 2 days ago, prior to the video 'Saving Private Ruble'.

 

[peterward]

This is long (no need to watch unless really keen), but his basic message is that Russia have deliberately devalued their currency for a couple of reasons. They can pay soldiers in cheap rubles, and the oligarchs can also pay for production using cheap rubles, while selling abroad for dollars, and thus being better off.

This will be paid for by Russian citizens, who are being made poorer due to high inflation. It's not a sustainable solution, but it helps them keep going for a while longer.

I haven't watched it, and it's always good to hear different opinions and perspectives, and while I may be wrong, I'm not convinced it's been devalued deliberately.

The Russian Central Bank was forced to intervene and stop all currency transactions till January and block accounts from withdrawing money.

TV propagandists also sounded panicked by it?

 

[Eric the meek]

I haven't watched it, and it's always good to hear different opinions and perspectives, and while I may be wrong, I'm not convinced it's been devalued deliberately.

The Russian Central Bank was forced to intervene and stop all currency transactions till January and block accounts from withdrawing money.

TV propagandists also sounded panicked by it?

I watched the video, as well as the video 'Putin is set to disappear'. The removal of metadata from photos and videos featuring Putin is significant. It could be a bluff but my guess is that it isn't. Putin is about to disappear, or already has. Who else will disappear? Who else will we begin to see more of?

As for the question, did they deliberately devalue the ruble, I'm not yet convinced but remain open to the possibility.

The intrigue is beginning. Have all your senses turned up to 10. And invest in a popcorn maker. You're going to need it.

 

[Triggaaar]

I haven't watched it, and it's always good to hear different opinions and perspectives, and while I may be wrong, I'm not convinced it's been devalued deliberately.

Certainly Putin et al would prefer they had a strong economy and this wasn't necessary. This is putting off the problem for another few months. Given the situation they're in, maybe they need it devalued?

They are absolutely lying to the public though, pretending it won't effect them, when the public are the very people who will pay.

 

[Triggaaar]

I watched the video, as well as the video 'Putin is set to disappear'. The removal of metadata from photos and videos featuring Putin is significant. It could be a bluff but my guess is that it isn't. Putin is about to disappear, or already has.

It's a bold claim. Disappear by choice, or be removed?

 

[essbee1]

Ruble not having a good day. Aaagh, diddums.

 

[Eric the meek]

It's a bold claim. Disappear by choice, or be removed?

Here's the video from Konstantin. The relevant part is from 1:02:55.

The Kremlin press service is wiping the metadata (including the date created, location, owner etc) from all photos and videos featuring Putin. Why are they doing this? Is it so that they can continue to publish them, pretend they are current, and not have anyone shout 'that's an old video'?

 

[Eric the meek]

Remember the tumultuous events of last week?

Jake Broe made the correct observation that the steep fall in the ruble was a sign that something had happened in Russia. He suggested that the fall was because insiders knew about it, and were telling other insiders to get their ruble denominated deposits out.

Now we hear that the Kremlin is wiping the metadata of photos and videos of Putin, so that nobody can any longer find when they were created....

Coincidence?

 

[sparkie]

Remember the tumultuous events of last week?

Jake Broe made the correct observation that the steep fall in the ruble was a sign that something had happened in Russia. He suggested that the fall was because insiders knew about it, and were telling other insiders to get their ruble denominated deposits out.

Now we hear that the Kremlin is wiping the metadata of photos and videos of Putin, so that nobody can any longer find when they were created....

Coincidence?

Might this mean Putin is already dead ?

 

[Eric the meek]

Might this mean Putin is already dead ?

It might. Just over a week ago, one twitter account 'Tendar', observed that Putin had not been seen in public for 13 days. I don't think it was discussed on here.

But several other things could have happened.

1. The video says he has 'disappeared' in the past, sometimes for weeks and months, only to reappear again with no information about his absence.
2. He might be ill, or having surgery, or recuperating from something.
3. He might be taking a vacation. I probably would in the circumstances.
4. It might all be maskirovka; an elaborate stunt to mislead the enemy, a subtle attempt to get them to change the narrative from the ruble to his own disappearance.

I did think the video of his speech, was clumsy. Keeping his arms and hands completely still, while the rest of him moved around a fair bit.
Was it deliberately clumsy?

 

[raymondo]

 

[fly high]

Might this mean Putin is already dead ?

Please don't raise our hopes but please, please let it be so.

 

[Triggaaar]

Might this mean Putin is already dead ?

It's very unlikely

 

[Binney on acid]

You're all invited over to my flat to watch Putin's funeral on TV. It's going to be one of the happiest days of my life. Unfortunately I can't date the invitations, 'cos I don't know when this momentous event will take place. I might need to hire several thousand chairs at short notice...........

 

[raymondo]

You're all invited over to my flat to watch Putin's funeral on TV. It's going to be one of the happiest days of my life. Unfortunately I can't date the invitations, 'cos I don't know when this momentous event will take place. I might need to hire several thousand chairs at short notice...........

I'm happy to stand , and I'll bring my own sandwiches and beer so you don't get stressed with the catering!

 

[GT49er]

Ukraine has returned six children? I didn't know Ukraine had been going round kidnapping children..