Pauliar,

The "UPTO" $20bn per day was an estimate from General Petreaus of the US army to keep an army of about 160 000 supplied, fed and watered, let alone the $ms to keep 1000s jets helicopters tanks APC etc fueled and running especially since the resupply of food, fuel, ammunition is in hostile territory with large numbers being blown up. If you can come up with a better figure then let's hear it.

As for sacrificing their personal freedoms etc, that is not done voluntarily. With the cost of the war and sanctions, Russia is losing men and equipment that it can't replace.

Ukraine is for the Russians like Afghanistan on steroids. They have lost more in two weeks in Ukraine than they lost in Afghanistan in a year.

shadowminister,

You address your post to "Pauliar". I am confused. I thought it was I who asked you about the $20billion a day figure. Thanks for the answer, anyway.

Perhaps you could now tell 'Pauliar' how you know no more about Russian culture and psyche than I (ttbn) do. You state that: "sacrificing their personal freedoms etc, that is not done voluntarily". How do you know this? Studied Russian culture have you? Or, did you get that from a US general on his last legs as well?

I can see why Paul 1405 enjoys taking the piss out of you.

ttbn,

My mistake, Pauliar normally asks the stupid questions.

I assume that you can now see the justification for the "up to $20bn/day" unless, of course, you know more than General Petreaus.

With 16000 protesters arrested, independent news media closed, a 15 yr prison sentence for genuine reporting of the news and new food rationing in Russia, I struggle to see where this is voluntary

16,000 naughty Russians out of a population 146 million. Putin, with a popularity varying between 60-80% - 71% currently - must be filling his boots

ttbn

Good for you. The Germans were once different people. I occasionally listen to Vladimir Jaffe talking of his life growing up in the USSR. He hated it and left for the USA the first chance he got.

The main interest I have following this is to see how well the Ukranians can stand up to the Russian Army. If you are right about Russian paranoia about their security, how much of their army do you think they would be prepared to lose? They have a controlled media there, so it is probably a matter of what Putin is prepared to sacrifice.

Most of the expert analysis on Russia invading Ukraine was that the war would end quickly. What would Jules think about the people helping him pay his legal fees?

ttbn, a politician with a genuine popularly rating of 71% can basically do as he likes.

SM, likes to call me Pauliar, as he once claimed on the Forum that he being of superior legal knowledge could say; 'Cry Baby' Porter would be paid $10 million + by the ABC, receive a grovelling apology and 100 ABC staff would be sacked to pay for it all. AND Porter had nothing to worry about. How wrong was he, Porters out on his ear.