Dmitriy Medvedev visited the funeral among the first ones.

Russia was always religious (and nationalistic, but that's a different discussion). That's not a problem per se. Religion is now used by the politicians and their enablers to make Russians believe they're on the good side and the war is "just". Putin knows that courting high hierarchy priests and religious figures and getting them to support this war in public is good for his image. Shame on those who behaved like politicians, the Patriarch Kiril especially should be ashamed of himself. I can understand the Church has suffered a lot of persecutions during USSR and is used to compromises but this is... You can imagine the effect on the older, simple people. Putin is an atheist who plays religious now because it's fashionable among Russian politicians.

There is an excellent thread here on what the Ukrainians are doing in Kherson Oblast. I addresses Marton's point and hopefully can also heal Kiwiguy from his trolling, uh, "speculative opinion".

"Weekend Update, Battle of the Bridges, week 2 or week 8 (doesnt really matter). Ukrainian strategy now seems confirmed, the Russians have behaved as expected, and its a question now of logistics and attrition."

https://twitter.com/PhillipsPOBrien/...6321763975168?

This link also gives a lot of info.

Prague had a massive demonstration against the sanctions and the rising inflation, and energy prices. I have a feeling this is just the beginning and once we actually have colder temperatures in Europe and businesses start to go out of business because of the energy prices.....this will be looked back as a mild assembly

Yes, I am afraid there will be lots more of this. Will be a mix of people with real affordability problems and the anger crowds that were on the streets against refugees and against vaccines. Govts will try to calm down with billions. Germany today announced another 65 bn in economic support in response to energy crisis. 100 bn in total so far.

And as I just see footage of a similar, but smaller demonstration in Cologne today: I have some understanding for people joining demonstrations who fear for their jobs or their ability to pay bills. This ends when I see Russian flags.

An estimated 70,000 out of the population of Czech republic of 10.7 million.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, said:

"The protest on Wenceslas Square was called by forces that are pro-Russian, are close to extreme positions and are against the interests of the Czech Republic," he said.

I am sure Russia will organise many such demonstrations in the coming months, all supported by their puppets in social media.

is this the part of history where liberalism and democracy is seen to have failed the people and a strongman emerges who will rejuvenate the nation by restoring it to its former glory?

Ukraine claiming today that Ukrainian forces liberated two unnamed settlements in southern Ukraine and one settlement in Donetsk Oblast. Presumably helped in Donetsk by the Russians moving some of their forces to the South.

Below is a photo of the newly liberated Vysokopillya, Kherson Oblast.

Forcefully mobilized recruits is not the best way to build a Russian army. For example, the DNR regiments: the 103rd, 109th, 113th, 125th, and 127th In Kherson Oblast. It is claimed the 109th regiment surrendered on the first day of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and the 127th are refusing to fight.

About the WW3 part...a new worry for Russia.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62764222

Just for context, about a year ago Putin told the "US accomplished nothing over 20 years in Afghanistan beyond death and tragedy".

With the rise of fascism all over the world it would seem that people want to give that national socialism thing another go. Perhaps the time wasn´t quite right last time and those visionary leaders were ahead of their time.

That's totally not true, opium production areas increased many times over. Even while the US were in the country.

It's as if they made sure that happened.

Ukrainian pensioner 'shoots down £74million Russian Su-34 jet with a RIFLE and is awarded a medal for his heroism'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ded-medal.html

a real deadeye dick

Let's hope it doesn't come to 20 years in Ukraine.

I'm confident to tell that increase in opium production is properly described by death and tragedy. So, Putin did not lie.

The interesting fact is that Afghanistan is the southern border of Putin's dreams. The bearded religious guys don't like him and are even in good terms with other bearded guys in Chechnya.

Hmmm, Putin has a short memory? I don't think the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was done with flowers and poems about freedom...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet–Afghan_War

What did the Russians achieve then? As usual, they are accusing others of what they also did or do. Russia is currently a fascist state invading others and they are accusing the people who fight against their invasion and are bringing up the Second World War and how they "liberated" everyone only to bring more terror and death and that for 50 years....no fascist government or regime lasted that long, oh well, maybe Franco in Spain but curiously they don't mention that.
In some sick minds, those people should just surrender to restore Russia's former glory. There's no logic and no acknowledgement of their own past deeds and mistakes. There never was. But that's not even a thing anymore for the countries they occupied, but if you constantly accuse others....maybe a huuuge mirror is in order?

Nobody thought we'll have another war in Europe, ever, after the lessons of WW2 and all the social progress, and here we are, quarrelling with Russia's politicians about crazy stuff. The only rational explanation is that Putin et.co wouldn't let go Ukraine because of their resources and the route of the natural resources. This is not a war because of the "naughty" Ukrainian independence or shared history blah blah blah, this is a war for natural resources..otherwise it doesn't make any sense.

So yes, Afghanistan. What about it. Seriously?

Someone took a bomb to the Russian embassy in Kabul yesterday and used it.

Back to Schengen area, Ursula von Leyden about 3 hours ago via twitter:

Details here:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/pres.../en/ip_22_5346

And some stats:

According to Russian social media, Ukraine has penetrated over 20 Km behind the Russian front line south of Kharkiv and is now running down the T2105 towards Izyum.
The Russian government is denying this, Ukraine is only claiming to have liberated Balakliya (in one day).

Meanwhile, Ukraine infantry seems to be running around deep behind the Russian front line on Kherson Oblast with little to stop them and plenty of easy targets.

will they actually do it though or will they just talk and pussyfoot around like normal?

BBC is reporting its going to cost russians a whopping 45 euros extra to enter europe under the new rules:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62811675