Russian invasion of Ukraine

[gordondaviesmoustache]

FWIW I think it's likely Russia has made it a political goal and are putting resources in to it way beyond its military significance, and Ukraine is sensibly taking full advantage of the opportunity to degrade and slaughter the Russian forces as a result. But it's also possible Ukraine has allowed itself to likewise ascribe higher value than it's really worth to the town.

But views are also poorly informed and inconsequential!

I get the Ukrainian logic, and I am also aware that you underestimate Russian capacity for gross incompetence at your peril, but I just have a nagging doubt that there’s something of more significance than is discernible about the territory.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Nine years today since Russia shot down a civilian airliner killing 298 from occupied Donetsk.

 

[SilverFox2]

I’ve had people on here explain the rationale for Bakhmut (or at least theirs) but I remain of the view that there’s something about it that doesn’t equate for me. Not saying my instinct is definitely right btw, because it’s mainly based on supposition, rather than anything factual, but I feel there is more to it than meets the eye - not that what I think makes any fucking difference!

This may make more sense of your gut feeling.

Types of Lithium Brine Deposits (Updated 2023)

Electric vehicles (EVs) are playing an increasingly important role in driving lithium demand, and it’s important for investors interested in the battery metal to understand the different lithium deposit types found around the world.Lithium is mined from three types of deposits: brines...

investingnews.com

 

[aguero93:20]

What do you think is there?

Ark of the covenant or the Holy Grail?

The evidence for the 115 charges maybe?

 

[BlueAnorak]

Russia pulls out of black Seas grain deal.

Russia killed off the Black Sea grain deal. What happens now?

UN-brokered deal opened lifeline for Ukraine to export tens of millions of tons of grains and oilseeds over the last year.

www.politico.eu

 

[ultimateharold]

Their maintenance is something else.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Russia pulls out of black Seas grain deal.

Russia killed off the Black Sea grain deal. What happens now?

UN-brokered deal opened lifeline for Ukraine to export tens of millions of tons of grains and oilseeds over the last year.

www.politico.eu

This is exactly why we cannot negotiate with Putin.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Their maintenance is something else.

Absolutely surreal, just paddling away on a Lilo while warplanes crash behind.

 

[mrcunny]

Absolutely surreal, just paddling away on a Lilo while warplanes crash behind.

The size of them two, No wonder they didnt notice it

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Maybe " no deposits of their own" was a stretch.:) It's months since I listened to the podcast but the takeaway from it, for me, was that Russia needed what Ukraine had. I'll have to listen to it again.

There are rare earths which aren't that rare, and rare earths which are really rare and really important. All it needs is the deposits to be the former not the latter, and they need a source for the latter.
The deposits may also be easier to get at or of a better quality - or as others have said, not the rare earths but lithium.

I think Bakhmut is also on the edge of a gold/diamond area, but it surely isn't tenable to be trying to extract anything that close to a warzone. Although that may be Western logic not Russian logic.