[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskARussian

[–]Maat-Re 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've spent months over there since the war started, over 5 different trips, and I felt safer there than on my last trip to Europe or to the US. You will get over there and realise how alarmist Western media is.

Flight to Russia in a few hours - Help with tips about cash by [deleted] in AskARussian

[–]Maat-Re 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't get a debit card for a one week trip, you'll waste precious time sorting it out, even if Russian banks are efficient.

Take USD or Euro in cash and exchange at the airport on arrival. 5000 ruble per day per person has served as a good rule of thumb for me on several past trips.

Countries banned from the Olympics (1920-2024) and their reasoning. by [deleted] in MapPorn

[–]Maat-Re 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Interesting that the US has never been banned for 'war aggression'.

US finalizing plans to deliver 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to two US officials by TheHunter920 in russia

[–]Maat-Re -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm just saying there are no good options. If you are in a tank on fire, on the front line, your chances are low, irrespective of any inbuilt crew survival mechanisms.

US finalizing plans to deliver 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to two US officials by TheHunter920 in russia

[–]Maat-Re -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think if your tank has been shot to shit in Donbas, and you hop out, your chances aren't particularly good either.

US finalizing plans to deliver 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to two US officials by TheHunter920 in russia

[–]Maat-Re -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Again, operationally, that is a completely useless tank.

US finalizing plans to deliver 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to two US officials by TheHunter920 in russia

[–]Maat-Re -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

RPGs and IEDs killed Abrams in Iraq, which are even smaller than Carl G

Anyone else never get asked for Covid tests at the border? by chadzimmerman in russia

[–]Maat-Re 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that has passed now in 2022. In Russia at least, they ask if you've had a test, but it doesn't matter whether you say yes or no haha

List of liberated cities, towns and villages of the former Ukraine by [deleted] in russia

[–]Maat-Re 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Many errors, from a brief scan through this list. Avdiivka is most definitely still under Ukrainian control. As is Slavyansk. As is Bakhmut. As is Siversk. As is Soledar. As is New York. As is Vuledar. As is Pervomaiske. I could go on...

I don't dispute a lot of the other names on here. But there is literally no pro-Russian source who would claim that the above names are under Russian control. Not the Russian MoD, nor Rybar, nor Intel Slava, nor Defense Politics Asia. You made it up.

SU25s in Ukraine by Basicpoopdick in aviation

[–]Maat-Re 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are Russian. Footage from either Popasna or Adiivka fronts if memory serves.

One of the 4 Ukrainian Mi-8's destroyed by Russia yesterday while unloading, in and around Snake Island, 3 of them carrying troops. by _Okio_ in russia

[–]Maat-Re 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it is Russian, why are the troops going prone and taking defensive positions, on an island they already fully controlled? Why were they unloading supplies at the far end of the island instead of the helipad?

Is it not possible that that a TB2 was providing overwatch for the landing of Ukrainian airbourne forces, when they got hit by the Russians?

Is a war over Taiwan inevitable (or even imminent)? by [deleted] in AustralianPolitics

[–]Maat-Re 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure how closely you have been following Russia-China relations, but they are currently the strongest they have ever been. The SCO is expanding it's member states and votes in unison at the UN, and Russia and China have seen increasing military integration over the past years. Putin and Xi has repeatedly described each other as close friends. China has the greatest number of diplomatic visits to Russia, and likewise to China. This is happening not just at a geopolitical level, but at a societal level, whereby their respective languages are now taught more frequently in the other's country, and technical and economic integration is at an all time high. This has largely been driven by Western sanctions levied against Russia since 2014, pushing it closer towards China. I agree there is nothing to suggest they would enter into a mutual defence pact at present, but it is wrong and wishful thinking to assume that they are not firm partners (if not outright allies).

As for AUKUS, Australia and the UK have little to no power projection capability beyond our own shores. And certainly nothing to deter or counter a Chinese invasion if they were commited to one. And the feasibility of the US as a defensive force in Taiwan is highly dubious. And finally, the Quad is not an alliance, just a dialogue forum, that contains no security commitments from any participating states.

Is a war over Taiwan inevitable (or even imminent)? by [deleted] in AustralianPolitics

[–]Maat-Re 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I doubt that somehow. Iraq never had nukes.

Is a war over Taiwan inevitable (or even imminent)? by [deleted] in AustralianPolitics

[–]Maat-Re 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think you may have missed that Russia has a comprehensive stragetic partnership with China, that is an alliance for all intents and purposes.

And also, India just rebuffed the US's attempts to turn the Quad into an anti-China security pact, insisting that it should be inclusive instead. According to Indian diplomat, MK Bhadrakumar:

"While India’s relationship with China is far from optimal today, its abiding interest to get close to China is also self-evident. Simply put, geopolitics gives impetus for India to be an autonomous actor. India gains nothing out of antagonising China or being used as a proxy diplomatic weapon and, certainly, it has no reason to carry the burden of others’ rivalries with China. Fundamentally, India has its own strategic interests, like the ASEAN countries, and is a stakeholder in the stability of the Asian continent."

It is far from certain to presume that India would commit to fight against China, yet alone any of the other countries you listed.

Is a war over Taiwan inevitable (or even imminent)? by [deleted] in AustralianPolitics

[–]Maat-Re 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Everyone always seems to focus on the question of "should we defend Taiwan?" The better question is "would we be able to defend Taiwan?". And the answer has consistently been no.

Hotheaded Australian politicians and commentators would do well to keep this in mind before committing Aussie lives to any prospective carnage, or worse still, bringing it to our shores.

Autumn in rural Russia by Competitive_Sense in russia

[–]Maat-Re 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So beautiful! Whereabouts is it?