Cont: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine part 9

[P.J. Denyer]

What a kickable face.

American sports may be a bit crap, but there's something about him that makes me itch for a baseball bat.

 

[theprestige]

Targeting a hostile county's leader may be considered a war crime, if the leader doesn't hold military rank and isn't actually commanding operations they may be considered a civilian under International Law. If anyone else thinks that there's something wrong with someone like Putin sending hundreds of thousands to die on the front line of a war of agression while potentially being protected,, join the club.

That's not the case in this war, though. Putin is clearly the commander in chief of the Russian armed forces, and wields the ultimate authority in prosecuting the war. He's not a figurehead. The executive power isn't wielded by someone else.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

That's not the case in this war, though. Putin is clearly the commander in chief of the Russian armed forces, and wields the ultimate authority in prosecuting the war. He's not a figurehead. The executive power isn't wielded by someone else.

It's not about executive power, it's about direct military command, the difference between being a civilian politician or a direct military commander. I'm not saying I agree, just pointing out that international law may protect leaders who are sending their people to die.

 

[steenkh]

Is it a crime, though? Where are you getting this?

From the condemnation that Russia's allies heap on the Ukraine for the alleged action.

 

[zooterkin]

Russia claims to have moved nuclear-capable missile system into Belarus

Assertion comes after the Kremlin accused Ukraine of attacking Vladimir Putin’s palace in Novgorod

www.theguardian.com

 

[Mike!]

Wasn't Putin just photographed in some kind of camouflaged military uniform the other day?
You want to parade your ass around in military garb, then don't be surprised when the country you're at war with tries to kill you.
Okay?

 

[Andy_Ross]

Dmitry Medvedev
@MedvedevRussiaE
The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict. He wants war. Well, now at least he’ll have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life

 

[theprestige]

From the condemnation that Russia's allies heap on the Ukraine for the alleged action.

And that rhetoric matters to you?

 

[zooterkin]

And that rhetoric matters to you?

It appears to have an effect on Trump, more to the point,

 

[The Great Zaganza]

Fascinating how the same kind of attack by one side of an armed conflict is considered an act of war, and by the other side an act of terrorism.

 

[Jack by the hedge]

When things seem to be moving towards some kind of peace agreement and each side might want to avoid needlessly antagonising the other side, Russia sees an opportunity to lie harder and issue even more threats since people trying to placate them on the other side are less likely to contradict them and openly dismiss their lies.

They are such clichéd villains.

 

[steenkh]

And that rhetoric matters to you?

It is not just rhetoric. It has real life effects. Trump has used it as an excuse to stop delivering Tomahawk missiles.
For Trump, the attack on a fellow dictator and role model makes him realise that he could be a target himself in a war, so he punishes Ukraine by removing one of Ukraine's "cards".

 

[Jack by the hedge]

I realise it's a slim chance but it would be great if this purported attack on a Putin residence actually happened and was a (sadly unsuccessful) false flag palace coup attempt.

 

[Pixel42]

The list of suspects for an attack on Putin's home, assuming that has actually occurred, must be pretty long. Ukraine is certainly on it, but I'm not even sure it's at the top.

 

[Andy_Ross]

NYT reports Trump viewed Russia as “invincible” and avoided serious sanctions early in the Ukraine war. His envoy Keith Kellogg, who called the conflict existential and backed Ukraine, praised Zelensky, then was reportedly called an “idiot” and replaced by Trump’s friend Steve Witkoff.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2006320039167685006

 

[Andy_Ross]

Briefing in Moscow says that drones attacking Putin’s Valdai residence were shot down ”hundreds of kilometers” from Valdai. But then there would be no way of knowing that they were heading for Valdai. The story gets thinner and thinner.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2006318634394878211

 

[LDE1976]

I see that Medvedev has been quaffing the inferior Russian version of Toilet Duck again.

 

[Helen]

I can't see Ukraine wasting time and effort on trying to attack Putin's residence.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

I can't see Ukraine wasting time and effort on trying to attack Putin's residence.

It's a good line for Putin to feed Trump though, 'Imagine if someone attacked Mar-a-Lago' is the kind of simple concept he can understand, and the anger that thinking of his personal plywood palace generates is about as close to empathy as the Orange Goit can manage. Once again Putin is playing him like a Stylophone.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Why would anyone believe a word Putin says?

CI.A. Says Ukraine Did Not Target Putin’s Home in a Drone Strike, Contradicting Russia’s Claims

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/us/politics/ukraine-putin-home-drone-strike-cia.html