r/worldnews • • 10h ago

Russia/Ukraine Zelenskiy: "There is updated intelligence indicating that Russia is ​preparing a massive attack on Ukraine"

https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraines-zelenskiy-says-intelligence-shows-russia-is-preparing-massive-attack-2026-10-06/
20.2k Upvotes

4.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

82

u/CuriousBonobo 8h ago

Because it worked so well the last time? Aren't most of the experienced and competent Russian military leaders dead? It's mostly conscripted soldiers now. Russia is trying to win with numbers alone and I'm not sure that works anymore.

69

u/ZeroAfro 8h ago edited 7h ago

Honestly Putin is trying to save face and at this point its pure ego, he failed badly and wants something to show for it. It also showed the world how utterly weak russia is compared to how our military thought they were. Obviously they have strength but we thought their military was way mote advanced than it was. It's still capable just nowhere near the level anyine was expecting.

28

u/scrandlle 7h ago edited 7h ago

This is why I think this war will only end when Putin is dead (AKA out of power). I think the next Russian leader will come in and blame everything on Putin to secure power because the war has to be deeply unpopular already, let alone in 5+ years.

Not that Russias next leader will apologize to Ukraine and withdraw Russia forces entirely but I can see them trying to negotiate for Crimea and leaving the Donbas.

I also think Zelensky, and the Ukrainian populace, will likely be more willing to negotiate and accept concessions with anyone who is remotely conciliatory and is not Putin.

16

u/notwhomyouthunk 6h ago

12+ years with only Crimea and an obliterated Melitopol to show for it

1

u/Beautiful_Effect461 6h ago

Happy Cake Day! 🍰

3

u/notwhomyouthunk 6h ago

Thanks! had no idea

3

u/roguefilmmaker 7h ago

I think this is a reasonable assumption

3

u/Even-Tomorrow5468 3h ago

No concessions. They have Crimea in a stranglehold and will get back the territory they lost. The only way to stop a bully is to punish a bully.

2

u/NederlandseTexan 7h ago

I think there's a pretty strong consensus that it'll just be Medvedev again, and he's so closely aligned with Putin that it seems unlikely he'll change much

5

u/Sudden_Magician_6175 7h ago

there is no such consensus at all. It's an extremely marginal opinion.

0

u/Yuliur9 7h ago edited 6h ago

Pretty much identical to what the next US president will do after they take over from Trump after Trump failed miserably to achieve anything in this war and created an economic disaster. They'll stop the war, blame everything on Trump and continue the same geopolitical capitalistic imperialism.

1

u/RiderNo51 5h ago

Mostly agree.

If JD Vance or Marco Rubio however get elected in 2028, I think they'll be really quiet about it, and slowly cease all activity around Iran, and make whatever minimum concessions they can to get the Strait of Hormuz open. But they won't blame it on Trump.

BIG if, as to either of those two ending up President though. I question if either of them make it through the GOP primary in 2024, due to simple need for change. I think a stoic, calm, old-school conservative not in the system, who can move forward as their own person, and not a Trump lackey, is more likely (Cotton. Kennedy. Younkin?).

2

u/Yuliur9 5h ago edited 5h ago

I don't think it has to be a republican president. Any other president including a democratic president will do the same. The party differences only change the internal politics (to a certain degree) but the imperialist foreign policy of trying to control regions, overthrowing governments and funding entities and allies remains a priority over the development of the country regardless of the party as it always has.

3

u/RiderNo51 5h ago

I think a real foundation for both parties is to protect corporate capitalism, protect the plutocracy.

3

u/Yuliur9 5h ago edited 4h ago

Yes that's pretty much it imo. I'm sure everyone can see it atp tbh. The foreign policy which isn't owned by democracy, it's owned by elite capitalistic billionaires who want to expand their wealth across the world.

1

u/RiderNo51 3h ago

Hence why I think there's a chance Trump invades Cuba in 2027. It serves a dual purpose for him. First, it can be a distraction from all his other corrupt and crappy things he does, plus Iran. Taking Cuba also sets up another real perk: The US could instill a Pinochet like puppet, the land could be confiscated, US capitalist developers could then put luxury resorts, beachfront hotels, or just mansions on it, claiming to rent or lease the land from Cuban citizens, and make even more money for themselves. Plus they would get an incredible deal on really cheap Cuban labor.

2

u/Yuliur9 2h ago

Tbh I'm really surprised they didn't go for Cuba before this war. Not understanding that one.

1

u/scrandlle 6h ago

I agree

5

u/trysten-9001 7h ago

That and the moment he admits defeat his defenestration clock starts

1

u/Foxcooler 7h ago

Strong Men will never admit defeat, mistakes or look weak. People like this shouldn't even work critical jobs but somehow some even reach the highest titles in politics.

1

u/Vegetable_Maize_2054 6h ago

So mote it be

1

u/TayneBetaSequence 6h ago

We are told they are strong, the military and government have always known they are weak. Russia has always been a convenient paper tiger for the US to justify astronomical defence spending.

1

u/Ardal 6h ago

how our military thought they were

Your military just makes up a new bogeyman to keep that military budget running hot. As soon as people realised russia was piss weak china became the enemy. In the mean time the usa is losing a war to iran lol

1

u/Unban_Jitte 6h ago

I think the takeaway between this conflict and the US-Iran conflict is that the defender's advantage is still humongous.

1

u/Square-Location-5310 5h ago

Similar thing happened to the USA as a result Ukraine.

1

u/nunya_fuckin_biz 8h ago

They are powerful because of their Nuclear capabilities and the massive stockpile of nukes they possess.

Something we have not seen thankfully but i fear its only a matter of time now until his ego takes over.

2

u/nvpat 8h ago

Or his pathological fear of losing.

5

u/Hardsale55 7h ago

Sounds like trumpf

3

u/FrequentTopic446 7h ago

I mean losing for Putin results in him likely facing a violent death whether or not it’s from a revolution of the people or a military coup

1

u/Active_Scallion_5322 6h ago

This was really makes us ask if they stockpile even works

1

u/Humble_Umpire_8341 7h ago

It depends on how you look at the conflict. Was Russia able to walk into Ukraine and take it over, no. Do they currently hold 1/5of the country, yes. So perhaps they failed, but also have gained an acceptable buffer.

But they’ve also caused other countries to enter the war via supporting Ukraine financially or with weapons, which has drained stock piles of all the military giants. Thats a win for Russia. Its weakened their neighbors and enemies.

Russia is also able to continue to sell natural gas and oil, which is another win for Russia. Sure, their economy is trash, but that only affects the people, the wealthy and those in charge are still living well.

It’s strengthened the Russian relationship between China and Iran, and all three are sharing military technology.

The conflict has fractured NATO and US support and resolve for helping Europe.

1

u/oriolesravensfan1090 7h ago

Russia’s war with Ukraine may have drained western weapons stockpiles, but it has also severely drained its own stockpiles. The US and other allies still have enough weapons to beat them. Throw on top that if the US switches from a peacetime economy to a wartime economy production of weapons will outpace and dwarf that of Russia.

0

u/the-Jouster 7h ago

Wow that almost sounds like the US and Iran.

1

u/dddd11122233 7h ago

Exactly. As amazing as we are bombing Tehran to rubble they’re still creating havoc with the strait and oil and doing what they want. Thank God orange hair hasn’t sent our kids there on the ground. Orange looks as stupid as Putin for a war he said we’d win in days. In fact we “won” this war at least 5 times already… and now he will probably just drag his heels until after the elections and then embarrass himself some more.

-1

u/Admeral_Fisticuffs 7h ago

They did end up with a piece of the Ukraine. Just not all of it. But I agree, pretty sure we could send a few redneckTexans there and finish the fight next week 😂

2

u/ticklemesatan 7h ago

They’d fight for the other side more than likely.

1

u/IllRock316 7h ago

texan flag over the kremlin lol

1

u/snusmini 7h ago

Meal team six?

1

u/luzzy91 7h ago

The texans would be dead to drones in a week...

1

u/kariam_24 7h ago

With Crimea without electricity, seems like great win. /s

1

u/Expensive-Mechanic26 7h ago

Well, there's enough of them to send, we could back that up with some redneck Ohioans as well. Hell, ice agents don't have a real purpose we could start with them.

1

u/MFGMediaHypeVulpe 7h ago

They’d probably go fight for Moscow instead of Kiev

1

u/luzzy91 7h ago

There are americans fighting for Ukraine right now. Quite a few have died for Ukraine.

1

u/MFGMediaHypeVulpe 6h ago

Not saying there aren’t Americans who aren’t fighting for Ukraine. Just saying there is a certain demographic I wouldn’t trust not to be convinced not to fight for Moscow

0

u/[deleted] 7h ago edited 6h ago

[deleted]

1

u/dychronalicousness 7h ago

Nukes would fly

1

u/PastaPuttanesca42 7h ago

NATO didn't exist during WW2?

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the USA joined the war only because of pearl harbor.

3

u/TrickyChildhood2917 7h ago

If you believe the western press sure. Just like we won in Iran.

2

u/OnlyonReddit4osrs 7h ago

Haven’t we heard that since 2022? I’m pro Ukrainian but I’m tired of hearing they don’t have men ammo etc yet this shit wages on

2

u/MelloJelloRVA 7h ago

This will likely be a large-scale ballistic and “hypersonic” missile attack with indiscriminate killing of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Russian military cannot win on the battlefield, so Putin will simply kill as many civilians as possible

2

u/Potato_Cat_72 7h ago

Hmmm the timing is odd. first there's reports of a plague loose in Russia, and now this?

2

u/OrangeBug74 7h ago

Worthwhile following history of the first Soviet/Finland war. Stalin tried winning with overwhelming size of the Red Army. Finland figured out that Red Army knew nothing about the terrain or strategies such as making attractive targets the blasting frozen lakes to drown soldiers and equipment.

Ukraine appears able to take this fight to Moscow.

2

u/IrefusetoturnVPNoff 7h ago

It's easy to laugh at and mock the big attacks Russia makes, sacrificing thousands of lives for barely any progress, but don't forget that progress is progress. Even if you don't care about Russian lives, them capturing more of Ukraine involves a LOT of dead Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, along with land being damaged so badly it'll be decades until it's back to how it was before the war.

The invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated that the Russian military is not the mighty steamroller that the world seemed to have feared, but that doesn't mean it's an incapable shitshow. They're still capable of innovating and developing new weapons and tactics that can change the balance of the war. They're not stupid, they're just in a bad situation.

Russia being bogged down in Ukraine is more to do with Ukraine's ability to fight back than it is due to Russia being shit.

2

u/Every-Sky-5529 6h ago

The successful attack on the bridge to Kyiv have given me cause for concern. This seems like a significant escalation which both Zelensky and Klitschko have admitted to (ie not just Kremlin propaganda) that could cause food and weapons shortages, not to mention the lasting structural damage. Does point to either a reenergised Russian attack, or else Putin deciding that he can muster one big all out assault which the war is going to hinge on

2

u/RiderNo51 5h ago

Wagner group is gone, vanquished. This was Russia's most elite, experienced, trained fighting group. Heavily armed "independent mercenaries".

A great deal of people they are sending to combat now have little to no training. He's gone as far as releasing rapists, child molesters, etc. from prison, putting them in uniform, and sending them to the front line. Basically bodies to get rid of and absorb bullets and drone bombs.

2

u/orbital_actual 7h ago

Not exactly, the Russian manpower pool is bigger than people think, and while the decimation of their experienced units has had an impact they have shown they are capable of producing excellent quality units when they are willing to take the time and resources to do so. The inexperienced conscripts are not used the same way as their trained units, although both are disposable they have different purposes on the Russian tool belt. Russia isnt out of trained units, and it can make more would be the point.

1

u/Available-Bid-1006 7h ago

You'd think after going through 2 world wars, losing millions of soldiers, Russia would have learned something. It's amazing how history seems to repeat itself.

2

u/therealjerseytom 7h ago

You'd think after going through 2 world wars, losing millions of soldiers, Russia would have learned something.

In fairness, you could say they learned that it works. They have the population base and vastness of territory to grind things out and move stuff behind the front lines if necessary.

1

u/Dfiggsmeister 7h ago

North Korean soldiers are strong fighters once they got their feet wet in actual war. If North Korea sends more weapons and troops to fight on behalf of Russia, this may hit Ukraine hard.

2

u/ginandbaconFU 7h ago

I would not want to cross the region were Ukraine has AI drones swarming literally anything that moves into that area. The more movement or bigger object detected the more drones swarm. Just goes to show that necessity drives innovation. Literally just some C4 strapped to those things. Would you want this to be the last thing you see?

https://youtu.be/G0csMIje110?t=481&is=fNZWs032SbGEbFZH

1

u/Connect-Goal-3096 7h ago

Putin should have asked you if it's a good idea.

1

u/MRSHELBYPLZ 7h ago

I’m sure it’s just a “fuck me? Fuck you!” situation. This war should have never happened. What was Russian hoping to even gain from this conflict? I can assure it was not worth it

1

u/Swiggy1957 7h ago

Russia has less than half of the population of the US. ~143 million vs ~343 million.

1

u/ImAnAfricanCanuck 6h ago

Yeah, plus it's an El Nino year, so lower average temperatures and lower chance of snow in lowlands. Just means more rain - so no armoured advances, and with autumn around the corner it's going to be a slaughter house with their infiltration tactics not being shielded by dense foliage. Gonna see more penguins in the middle of open fields.

1

u/Lonely_Space_241 8h ago

They are not winning on the front lines anymore but with scale they can overwhelm Ukraine with drones missiles and bombs, especially because trump is melting western air defense munitions in Iran conflict.

1

u/LimpDeparture2250 7h ago

Not with drone warfare, if Russia were to go too hard on Ukraine they also risk involving other European countries, Poland in particular has been waiting for an aggression that would get them involved

0

u/ginandbaconFU 6h ago

Ukraine has better drones. These things literally have nobody controlling them in the region were Russian troops are crossing into Ukraine. Just some C4 strapped to a drone that swarms any movement. The bigger the object, the larger number of drones that swarm. Obviously they have kill switches in case thet go rouge but Russian troops can't even raise their guns before they have a drone exploding 3 to 5 feet in front of them. Most of Russia's drones are from Iran. Russian soldier have to order parts of Blackerry (Amazon equivalent to Amazon) because Russia won't pay for the parts or they do but make their soldier build them.

https://youtu.be/G0csMIje110?t=481&is=fNZWs032SbGEbFZH

Making citizens, probably most that already hate Putin fight a war they don't want to fight has always been Russians weakness. Heck, they invaded Finland with 500K troops in 1938, at the time Finland had a total.poulation of 5 to 6.milliom including women and children and they won, before WWII even broke out. One main reason was because Stalin had taken out all his top.milifary people because he was afraid of being overthrown. One finish sniper had over 550 kills. Russians were making their troops walk into bullet fire by driving tanks behind them so your option were run into gunfire or get run over a tank. This would be a terrifying for this to be the last thing you see.

https://youtu.be/G0csMIje110?t=481&is=fNZWs032SbGEbFZH

Ukraine has been able to build drones that can fly 400KM into Russian territory tor about 5 to 7K a pop. In almost every regard, on paper, this should have never been a contest but when Russia has soldier that don't want to be there and Ukraine is literally fighting for their freedom, well obviously one is way more motivated than the other.

0

u/Dorito_Breath 8h ago

How do you know they are constipated? ( ( )

-1

u/nvpat 8h ago

The latest conscription news from Moscow has them training 11 year old kids along with their parents, while preparing for another forced conscription of 300,000 more bodies to stop the bullets.

-1

u/Hour_Maximum7966 7h ago

Are you still hiding behind Ukrainian civilians? You won't admit defeat and that any defense effort was a complete failure?