There are some interruptions but the video is clear enough.
Saker Message:
There are some interruptions but the video is clear enough.
Oh, noooo… then the Russian are not losing?
In Norway, everything the Russians do, are presented as done by mad men. But their voices are not as firm as they used to be, when they regurgitate the US disinformation.
In the USA the major outlets do push that Putin is an unhinged mad man also. An emerging theme which Saker caught is that the Russians troops are only good for genocide and the killing of innocent civilians. This morning I checked a major democratic party loyalist website and the sentiment is that the Russians are losing the war because they are mean, stupid, and utterly incompetent. One poster was was scolded because he said the Russians will learn from their mistakes–it was too pro-Russian. As time goes on seems the American propaganda machine is getting morel hysterical and unhinged to levels people find unprecedented. I fully expect the propaganda machine to recycle imagery from the real German Nazis against the Soviet Union.
The scum used that technique in Bosnia,i am waiting for the rape camps extermination camps.
I also noticed a softening of the tone lately. I don’t have a TV and only read the business paper (DN.NO) on a regular basis. After the SMO it suddenly turned into a propaganda rag on overdrive, where it was hard to find any business news.
In Sweden, all you hear is Russia threatening Sweden and Finland bla bla…parliament agrees to send more weapons to Ukraine..bla bla..
Useful to hear numerous takes on a subject – Scott Ritter has so far demonstrated that he is well attuned to reality based perceptions regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Along similar lines, this commentary by Dr. Joseph Farrell on the subject (and broader in scope) may be of interest to Saker readers (if memory serves, Dr. Farrell is a fan of Andrei and The Saker content).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI40JlUzguE
appreciate you Sake on a Monday morning getting out in front of this, who better than Mr Ritter to shed an informed light on the subject.
Fars News Agency – minutes ago – reported: ‘the port city of Mariopul is now fully under DPR control.’
I am seeing similar reports on Telegram – so I think it might be a typo… what I saw was that the port of Mariupol is fully under control. Azovstal remains hostile.
Has the nazi scums from the azovstal been liquidated?
Exellent interview, thanks.
Excellent interview, thanks.
The American media is so useless on this. The entre campaign has to be seen macroscopically. And the US media has the whole pre-Donbass Cauldron Battle pause thing completely wrong. IMHO
If you go back to the beginning, in order to properly liberate the Donbass, the Russians would have had to stockpile troops and materials along the Ukrainian border for at least 3 MONTHS. It took the American army that amount of time to prepare Operation Desert Storm.
However, if the Russians did that, due to US satellites, the Ukrainians would have been completely alerted to what was coming, and repositioned their troops and buried their stockpiles of weapons, petroleum and moved their air force out of the country.
So, there was no choice but to go in with a small force, and SHAPE THE BATTLEFIELD and then begin the Desert Storm type supply/logistics/troop build-up afterward.
THERE IS NO GETTING AROUND A DESERT STORM STYLE BUILD UP. It either had to happen before the operation or during it.
In the non-Satellite era, Russia would have secretly built up its forces and overrun the Ukraine the way the Germans did in France in 1940.
And that explains the initial surprise, the small invasion force, why the Russians didn’t use their best weapons and troops, and the Ukrainians getting caught with most of their troops in forward offensive position in the east of the country, etc.
And because the Russians had to proceed that way, casualties would be high and local successes would not be guaranteed. which we saw.
The other thing I noticed is that NATO just does not understand how the Russians fight. There is no way NATO would ask a unit to hold a bridge for three days cut off from the main force. However, the Russians did that numerous times. The last time the West did something like that was in 1944, during Operation Market Garden. There is simply no way NATO could explain something like the loss of an entire British Airborne division to the progressive Western pajama-boy laptop class.
War has always been something existential for the Russians and I don’t think it has ever been that way for the Americans. One might have to go back to the US Civil War to find Americans thinking like that. IMHO
The Russian Army might have used more force against Ukie troops on the LOC to prevent further shelling in the Donbass, which is continuing as we speak.
The Russian style of using river barge advance vanguards, and stashing supplies all around like “stalkers” from that FPS Russian game, is better understood if you knew who founded the Kievan Rus. It was Varangians. Specifically the ones that went from Viking territory to Byzantine via river boats. They are used to carrying all their supplies with them, raiding for the rest, and stashing caches along their river/advance routes.
It was the Varangians that took over the Muscovite tribes up north, using these river boat style advances, to negate the steppe tribe’s superior light cavalry speed and steppe logistics.
Well the steppe tribes being nomads, tend to carry everything with them as they migrate too. These, as with Mongolian hordes, became traveling cities. Self sufficient cities/armored men.
The Soviet Bolsheviks were not Russian, thus they had a very different tactical/strategic style.
Excellent analysis.
Ritter goes off the rails when asked how he would command Ukie troops. After saying they are surrounded in Donbas with no maneuver and no support, he would withdraw them to Kiev. Then he goes on to say the RF should kill Ukie politicians.
As accurate as Ritter’s analysis of action to date seems to be, his hypotheticals are pure fantasy material.
No, what he said was, he would withdraw his force once before being fully encricled. Also, he meant to say, if he would have commanded ukie forces, he and his troops kill the ukie politicians and end the hostilities. That’s what i heard.
Mike, agree sir. and Ritter referenced “night of the long knives” basically purging the nazi element within leadership circles.
Yes, I agree. That is what I heard, too.
To be fair, he tried to duck that question more than once. Its all fantasy cause its a hypothetical.
Thanks Saker for posting this. Insightful analysis. If only more people would see this,,,,,
Regarding Ritter saying if he were in commode of Ukrainian forces in Donbass he would “BREAK OUT” instead of holding surrounded position:
This assumes:
Ukrainian forces have mobility (trucks, tanks, armor vehicles, etc.)
If they break out they would be in open flat lands and easy targets os Russian Air Force and cannon fire.
We can see the Ukrainians are in a vulnerable situation. They hardly have any good options.
So the Cherkasy-44 breakout was with Tanks, trucks and other vehicles? No, a breakout can and has been done on foot. A breakout is a desperate move for desperate troops.
Not easy or fun but if you don´t have the knowledge you shouldn´t speak in absolutes because it makes you look ignorant.
Scott Ritter: tireless, ubiquitous and relentless. This honest, bulldog, Marine has done more to undermine the Empire of Lies than any man since Smedley Butler. Never tire of listening to him. Thank you!
Gonzalo – a survivor contemplating the premature end of his life – asked a very important question at the end, and I share his concern. What will prevent the crazies from forcing the hand of the Pentagon in a suicidal escalation, as they did with the Banksters in imploding the USD reserve system through robbing the Russian forex reserves and total economic warfare? This was the most VIP question of this discussion.
Scott was rational and said the front-men neocons, a bunch of rabid two-bit punks, would be rapidly put in their place by the Pentagon. Scott comes from a rational era of order, with clear defined hierarchies and chains of command.. But is anything clear nowadays? Except that Satan rules in the West? And should the current pentagon leadership inspire such confidence?
Lastly, he may not fully appreciate the psychology of the madmen. As Russia has gone full in, divorcing the West for our lifetime, so the West has gone full in and cannot retreat.. There is no planned de-escalation on the menu, vis-à-vis Russia, short of either surrendering it or annihilating it. Why assume they will fold with a whimper? And that the correlation of forces do not favor the crazies atm to overcome the sane in the Pentagon? Obama pruned the Pentagon quite nicely for such days.
The Russians know it. It is reflected in the resolve of the entire population. It is reflected in Russian actions in placing their strategic forces on open alert and in holding their best forces on stand-by for US/NATO. It is reflected in their Foreign Minister’s words today, “Russia seeks to end US-dominated world order – Lavrov.”
“Lastly, he may not fully appreciate the psychology of the madmen. As Russia has gone full in, divorcing the West for our lifetime, so the West has gone full in and cannot retreat.. There is no planned de-escalation on the menu, vis-à-vis Russia, short of either surrendering it or annihilating it. Why assume they will fold with a whimper? And that the correlation of forces do not favor the crazies atm to overcome the sane in the Pentagon? Obama pruned the Pentagon quite nicely for such days.”
As Scott explained a full on assault on Russia would require 2-3 years of build up and preparation. If your thinking about the Nuclear option, Pentagon knows Russia has supremacy as is. Russia has the first strike option Pentagon dreamed about.
This conflict isn’t fundamentally about the Empire vs Russia, but regimenting the vassals in the Eastern part of the Empire. It’s the planned destruction of continental Europe, elimination of a potential rival, limiting the potential of the Eurasian space. There is a reason UK pulled out of EU in 2016.
Next up is the confrontation with China.
Scott misunderstood (or pretended too?) the question the Polish-American was asking. He was trying to conflate Russian-Ukrainian and Russian speaking Ukrainians with Mexican immigrants in the US. But the Russian-Ukrainians aren’t immigrants to Ukraine. The Ukraine was given the territory they were already living on in 1922 by the USSR. They are the natives on that land.
I mean, sorry to pop your bubble, but a BIG part of the U.S used to be part of Mexico (ever wondered why all the names in California are in spanish?)
All they are taught in the US is ”invaders” from the south, rapists, they want to turn our country into latin america….sounds familiar they do same in Europe.
Best way to divide the population
Looking at the insanity of “Norwegian Reality”, the absolutt bullshit coming from the state, the politicians and the presstitutes, one is under impression that Ukrains is going to win this conflict.
Sane voices keeps quite, as its not the time to publically show any sign of nothing but hatred, towards Russia and Russians.
There is no room for neutral thoughts, opinions or analyses.
The war on peoples mind is brutal.
How they will bullshit their way out of this bullshit?
I put my money on a Covid 1984 2.0 show with full lockdown. Expect whatever to divert attention away from the fake news show, as its exposed.
same way they weasel out of everything, if they get called out on innaccurate reporting they just pivot,
then say something like “well russia ramped up her military presence”, then blame it on allies that didnt help enough. Zoom on wrecked building and crying person, and tell you where to send in your money to help them.
With Silence. WTC7 anyone ?
I’ve concluded we’re ruled by a Quisling parliament, It doesn’t matter who’s formally in government.
No mention of WTC 6 either in the official report by Zelikow.
Six World Trade Center was an eight-story building in Lower Manhattan in New York City. It opened in 1974 and was the building in the World Trade Center complex that had the fewest stories. The building served as the U.S. Customs House for New York.
I didn’t find link to Farse News Agency suggesting that port city of Mariupol totally under control of DPR. Azovstal still mostly controlled by Ukies.
I do take issue with Scott Ritter’s labeling Polish nationalists as extremists who are driving Poland into fighting Russia in ukraine. The vast majority, if not all genuine Polish nationalists are non-interventionist and are opposed to membership in EU and NATO. Those who want Poland to go fight Russia are freaks and traitors, and real Polish nationalists are totally against helping a banderite ukraine, who they see as a dangerous enemy. It is the pro-EU neo-liberals and the anti-Russian right wingers and centrists that are gung-ho about confronting Russia. Unfortunately, over 70% of Poles are anti-Russian and don’t identify as nationalists.
The whole country of Poland are anti Russian.
The media is a total brain wash.
To Edward
“The vast majority, if not all genuine Polish nationalists are non-interventionist and are opposed to membership in EU and NATO”. Yeah, right. That is why Poland was one of the FIRST to join EU and NATO! Churchill was an absolute scumbag but one thing he was right about was Poland, which he called the “hiena of Europe”. In Russia we also have a name for them – the pile of vomit on the map of Europe. What they are, can be called the effing “facilitators” of the most hideous European atrocities, including WWII, but they do that while ALWAYS hiding behind someone else’s back (like they are doing now) by encoraging those to go and fight (i.e. NATO), where they can come afterwards and scoop some goodies. That is this ghastly, shity Polish nature for you. We, in Russia, had centuries of their crap and have absolutely no time for them or what comes out of them ANYMORE. Eurotrash can expierence it now. They totally deserve one another and the Euromorons will learn hard way what it entails having this Poland among them. What Poland is – one big hot air bag or a blowfly – equally useless and annoying at the same time and to the same degree. But unfortunately, can infect with some nasties.
In an American city a bicycle on the side of the street would be stolen within minutes. In Ukraine, where cold weather, starvation, and refugees are rampant, not only a bike but it’s RIDER lies dead on the street for two weeks without anything being touched and without any rot or theft of precious clothing or footwear.
Of course in America his death would be blamed on CoVid19.
Ritter is brilliant as usual…but is he sick or drunk? Why is he blinking all the time and looking down?
Ever had a conjunctivitis? Or his eyes are stressed…who knows
Thanks Gonzalo for hosting this and many, many thanks to Scott Ritter whose rational analysis of military decision making gives me some confidence to believe that the whole Western world may not have gone insane.
Scott Ritter,
I could listen to you all day talking about military operations/geopolitics. I highly appreciate your knowledge, experience, honesty, and integrity! A thousand thanks!
Gonzalo Lira,
A thousand thanks to you for a masterful interview. You are one of the best!
Saker,
A thousand thanks to you for your years of unceasing hard work in the interest of world peace. I say it again, you are one for the ages!
From the surrendered Uky soldiers – Elon has a lot of blood on his hands… if all these fools keep listening to mainstream media, all they would hear is the ‘Russians are losing’ – maybe this was all part of a bigger strategy to keep the Ukies dying for lies, the same way ordinary people are falling hopelessly for the lie.
“Allegedly, during 47 days of fighting, the brigade was under fire. aviationartillery tanks. During this time, she received only 50 122-mm shells, 20 mines, several NLAW anti-tank systems and the Starlink satellite communications system from Elon Musk”
Thanks Elon! your a patriot and saviour of nothing but lies.
The ukies and that damn steel mill. What the hell is being hid underneath?
https://www.veteranstoday.com/2022/04/11/alien-disclosure-what-is-in-the-ilych-steel-mill-in-mariupol/
The word now is that they are going to start flooding Tuesday. Remains To be seen.
Ritter’s analysis of the military situation is always good. The man knows his maps.
He should not be asked, however, questions outside of his realm of expertise, specifically about the politics driving the US. I disagree with him completely when he pooh-poohs the weight of Victoria Nudelman. He calls her a nobody and claims that all important decisions going forward in this entanglement are in the hands of the “professionals” in the Pentagon, a view that can be ascribed to his viewing everything through his lens of a military man.
As for how sane and rational the “professionals” in the Pentagon are one can just look at who they are nowadays. Not many McGregors left. They have been gradually purged.
True Cookie Woman ain’t no Kissinger but she’s promised the Ukrainian elite/academia free tickets to see Celine Dion at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas and a visit to Disney, Orlando, Florida.
I suppose Hunter Biden though signs the contracts (or his legal advisors do ). When all the Biolab information is collated; government grants, bank/loans, companies, shareholders, directors, let’s see if Vicki is there, who else in the Biden camp is there. Maybe some Euro-cons involved also.
Think about it, the capture and subjugation of Russia could net, after Goldman Sachs & Rothschild’s do their magic a $100 Trillion, which could pay off US Public Debt $31 Trillion, pad up Defence Sector retiree pensions, upgrade the yachts and planes, castles and islands. before using the rest of the bounty to go after China & Iran.
Scratch these two from the list: “pay off US Public Debt $31 Trillion, pad up Defence Sector retiree pensions,”
Why pay the debt??? Not in their interest. Nor is padding the pensions of the already used up and therefore disposable.
I found Lira’s masterfully led interview and Ritter’s authoritative military analysis fascinating. So much insight and such a large overall perspective! That high quality moment, at last, had been long overdue.
Thank you so much. Most appreciated.
You have two options: (1) dig down, watch some of Gonzalo’s past videos, read others’ opinions about him and resolve your doubts; or (2) watch CNN, or even better BBC where they report the news 22 minutes before they happen.
Great interview! Thanks :-))
Professional Credentials – BSc Leaf Origami (University of Banga Bongo, Polynesia)
Military Credentials – Consecutive summer camps Boys Brigade 1984-5 (Map reading, assault course )
Question – Which 6 languages were the trapped troops in Mariupol crying in? Can we hear a compilation of the sobbing so fellow nationals who comment here can translate or are there no words just uncontrollable wailing?
I read somewhere that the mind bending drugs US army chemists are feeding Azov are causing extreme diarrhoea and shovelling shit out the bunkers is a 24/7 occupation. Some say although they’re knee deep in excrement, morale remains quite high though as Hunter Biden sent a personal message yesterday that Russia is on the verge of surrender and President Putin has asked for Political Asylum in North Korea.
Russia shouldn’t worry about Kharkov or any other large city, except those in the West. These towns and cities are the home and necessary base for supplies and recruitment. Crippling the bulk of the Ukie army with its best units in the Donbass is the first task to underline the impotence of Ukraine and US-NATO forces.
Then move west past the Dnieper and cut Ukraine in two. Move west with the now battle hardened Russian army, enraged by Western lies and Banderite atrocities, and flatten every goose stepping home base of the Nazis. Don’t stop until Russian tanks are shaking the ground at western borders. Cut all supply lines, power supplies, roads and railroads to near invested cities in the east. This lesson in military power should sober European minds and make surrender a very attractive idea.
I see the US ruling class(es) as quite unstable and unpredictable now. There are two major factions:
1. The Neocons – their goal is to dominate the planet. Currently represented by the Democrats/’Left’ narrative (what an abomination of the term ‘Left’ by the way)
2. The Big Business – their goal is to make as much money as possible. Currently represented by the Republican/Trump narrative.
For decades, The Neocons were OK to compromise with The Big Business of letting China get stronger. Note that the US could have kept China down 25 years ago, with sanctions etc, but it was the greed of The Big Business who wanted to make a lot of profit off Chinese labor, and so they did.
Fast forward to the present, The Big Business went along with the Russia warmongering quite reluctantly, e.g. I do believe Lira’s sourcing saying the Fed was very much against it. They can see the writing on the wall – the USD hegemony is coming to an end and loss of certain profits-for-nothing. They would like to postpone is as much as possible but they don’t really have any answer to it. However, they can survive the end of the USD hegemony and still make profits by exploiting the US farm population (i.e. the people) even harder and trying to make profitable business deals with the new players (China etc).
However, I don’t see how the two can now reach a meaningful compromise. The Neocons can’t even give up Ukraine because that would be seen as a major loss of the US dominance (took them 20 years to come to terms with Afghanistan) and are very poorly prepared with what’s coming next re: effectively the loss of Asia. Pakistan, for example, was their desperate attempt to dominate and it’s likely to blow back.
The Night of the Long Knives Ritter mentioned really needs to happen in the US when the Big Business needs to cleanse the Neocons. That’s the ultimate solution to world peace – everything else is just more instability and war. And if the reverse happens then I fear a full-on WW3 is inevitable.
Gonzola asks some valid and interesting questions. But the interruptions are disruptive. I think it would be better to wait till Ritter finishes his comments on one subject before moving on to the next. If that means running out of time, then schedule followup interviews.
It’s always difficult where there is a real inequality between what the host and the guest know. But Gonzalo Lira did an excellent job of not getting in the way of Scot Ritter, and of asking useful questions. Two thumbs up for the Chilean ! And Ritter did not grandstand, did not take advantage in any way. This discussion is as good as it gets.
Does anyone have information on the 250,000 to 300,000 people who died in the period of 1945-1960 approximately, according to Scot Ritter. Does anyone have some details on this ? Were they talking about only post-WW2 deaths ? This is the sort of topic where Wikipedia would be totally useless. Please, give us what you know.
Wars end only one of two ways: a) a negotiated settlement or b) gigantic piles of dead bodies. Take your pick.