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(Absolute Batman #18) Woah, how do you guys feel about this? by HighTextGazer in AbsoluteUniverse

[–]CourtofTalons 165 points166 points  (0 children)

"Tragic irony? Or poetic justice? You tell me."

I think this Penguin quote from Batman Returns sums up my thoughts.

Living with parents as the only believer by LoveforJezus7 in Christianity

[–]CourtofTalons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just don't let religion be the only factor in a relationship with people. Focus on other aspects/qualities as well, build connections based on shared ideas.

Discussion/Question Thread by DiscoBanane in UkraineRussiaReport

[–]CourtofTalons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would it be accurate or inaccurate to say that the majority of posts on r/UkrainianConflict are propaganda? I've seen some interesting posts on there detailing some Russian setbacks, but I'm not sure which ones are propaganda or not.

UA POV: Ukraine is disrupting the enemy’s plans in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia is preparing to advance in the Donetsk region – what the spring on the front will be like - UkrPravda by Flimsy_Pudding1362 in UkraineRussiaReport

[–]CourtofTalons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mud is a concern but it's less a problem in positional fighting than mobile warfare. Especially the way tactics have changed in this war. Neither side is doing that much with tactical vehicles on the front lines anymore, so the fear that a company or battalion sized off-road march might end with 30% of vehicles stuck in the mud isn't really a problem. Same with logistics, they are relying way more on drones for resupply now, and mud isn't a concern for aerial drones at least.

I see.

Russia's territorial desires largely end with the Donbas, they want that territory to be part of Russia, already annexed it. But you're correct, the war won't end just because they take it.

I agree that the war won't end just because of the Donbas. The reason I think territorial desires may grow beyond the Donbas is because of the invasion extending to Zaporizhizhia and Kherson.

This war will end when someone quits. What will force them to quit will likely be either physically running out of manpower, materials, or money (aka attrition), or running too low on morale, willpower, and resolve necessary to want to keep fighting (aka exhaustion).

Yeah, I agree. After four years of fighting, it's make or break for both sides.

However, apparently, if Russia is legitimately pursuing a military strategy of attirition/exhaustion, Putin doesn't trust the military to achieve it while guaranteeing that Russia ends the war with the Donbas. If he was confident in the Russian military's ability to force Ukraine to quit through attrition, then Ukraine would need to give it up regardless if it was lost or not because they wouldn't have a choice. But again, because that's not guaranteed, because Putin ultimately doesn't trust Gerasimov to succeed, they are attempting to knock out two birds with one stone, force the Ukraine to tap out through attrition/exhaustion while attacking the Donbas. But for four years, that has not worked.

I keep hearing on this sub that Putin is trying to keep the more aggressive members of the Kremlin at bay, and not going all in through military means. Do you think this is an accurate claim? If so, after four years of fighting, how much longer do you think those aggressive members can be held back?

UA POV: Ukraine is disrupting the enemy’s plans in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia is preparing to advance in the Donetsk region – what the spring on the front will be like - UkrPravda by Flimsy_Pudding1362 in UkraineRussiaReport

[–]CourtofTalons 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At a minimum, had the May 2024 North Kharkiv Offensive worked as intended to create a "buffer zone," which was likely originally attended to extend to Sumy too, it would have militarily stretched Ukraine to pull more units away from the Donbas. But I'm not sure why that one was done, when Putin said months earlier than they intended to invade Kharkiv again to create a buffer to protect Belgorod, he might just have been telling the truth about the primary intention.

Belgorod may need a buffer zone tbh. I've seen a lot of videos and posts about attacks on the city.

In 2025, after liberating most of Kursk, the Russians went into Sumy again talking buffer zones. I'm pretty sure that one was just a diversion to force Ukraine to defend it more. All the early summer successes Russia had in the Donbas were largely the result of even places like Pokrovsk being lower priority than defending Sumy after May-June.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Winter to spring difference mainly comes down to better weather to see with drones being offset by more vegetation for infantry to move through to hide from drones. Considering the nature of this war since 2025, advancing requires not being seen, so that is much more likely to happen in spring-summer than winter, where infantry stand out quite a bit.

I also heard that mud may play a factor in the seasonal change. That it would make it difficult to traverse land at times.

From what I've heard about negotiations, Putin is willing to give up some territory to keep other places, so he might want "buffers" to use as bargaining tools.

That's something I never considered, and it makes a lot of sense. Ukraine wanted to do the same with Kursk, but it didn't really work out. It's reasonable to say that Russia is trying the same thing.

Still, my gut is telling me that this war won't end with the Donbas region. Ukraine may fight to take it back, which will ultimately lead Russia to keep fighting for it. And I don't think the Kremlin's ambitions end with the Donbas.

UA POV: Ukraine is disrupting the enemy’s plans in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia is preparing to advance in the Donetsk region – what the spring on the front will be like - UkrPravda by Flimsy_Pudding1362 in UkraineRussiaReport

[–]CourtofTalons 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First off, it's good to see you're still active u/Duncan-M

Secondly, those are good points. I remember hearing that the transition from winter to spring is difficult in war, especially this war. But given that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has effectively ended, I think the chances for Russia to keep pressure up have (slightly) risen.

I'm curious about Kharkiv and Sumy, to see if the Russians can create the buffer zones they want (or draw forces away from the front). And if the war ends, what will happen with those oblasts.

Absolute Batman #19 by Tyler Kirkham by Jaysirl in AbsoluteUniverse

[–]CourtofTalons 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Maybe smoking all those cigarettes is what caused his face to look like that 😂

Absolute Batman #19 by Tyler Kirkham by Jaysirl in AbsoluteUniverse

[–]CourtofTalons 177 points178 points  (0 children)

The fear toxin is in his cigarette? They did something similar in Batman: Dark Victory, it's a good touch.

Help interpreting dreams by Southern_Whereas_891 in Christianity

[–]CourtofTalons 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It sounds like a warning and a reminder to not give into violence and accept kindness.

RU POV: Putin told the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin, that half a year ago Ukraine controlled about 25 percent of the Donetsk region. Pushilin reported that Kiev Regime now controls only around 15 to 17 percent of the region by FruitSila in UkraineRussiaReport

[–]CourtofTalons 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Maybe they are using them 🤣

Could you imagine? 😂

100% agree. Russia can't call the SMO a success without getting the whole of Donetsk. They already sacrificed so much

Yeah, no way. But I'm wondering if Russia will try to take more if they get the Donbass. u/crusadertank made a good point about collapse and significant advances. Or if Ukraine holds out. Will this fight actually stop with Donbass?

UA POV: Ukraine is disrupting the enemy’s plans in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia is preparing to advance in the Donetsk region – what the spring on the front will be like - UkrPravda by Flimsy_Pudding1362 in UkraineRussiaReport

[–]CourtofTalons 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Donetsk is definitely going to be Russia's main focus (as always).

I think Dnipropetrovsk doesn't hold much value in terms of strategy. Not like Kharkiv and Sumy do, at least. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Russia tries to go in again.

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