Joni Askola Profile picture
Sep 7, 2024 15 tweets 5 min read Read on X
1/15 Propaganda can't change the facts on the ground: russia is losing its war in Ukraine. Image
2/15 russia is involved in a war in Ukraine that it cannot win because its strategic goals are unreachable. As a result, it has no incentive to stop the invasion, as doing so would signify a defeat. By continuing the war, russia can avoid acknowledging that loss. Image
3/15 russia's objectives of 'denazification and demilitarization' require it to enforce a regime change and establish a pro-russian puppet government, accompanied by a russian military presence, to fulfill its strategic aims—an outcome that is very unlikely to occur. Image
4/15 russia currently controls significantly less territory in Ukraine than it did a month into the war, and it has failed to capture any of the 23 regional capitals and special status cities that Ukraine held at the onset of the invasion. That is pathetic at best! Image
5/15 russian propaganda has been highly effective at obscuring its numerous failures and fostering pessimism about the war. The presence of disinformation agents and unwitting supporters can be found throughout various spheres. Image
6/15 If we had been told in March 2022 what the situation would be in August 2024, we would have been astonished and regarded the current outcome as a significant victory for Ukraine and a massive defeat for russia. Image
7/15 russia is spending exorbitant sums on unscrupulous Western influencers to promote its propaganda and distract people from the fact that it is losing. If russia were winning, it wouldn't have to resort to such tactics. Image
8/15 Despite mobilizing 300,000 men, recruiting hundreds of thousands of volunteers, depleting its prisons, and conscripting men from occupied areas, russia has accomplished very little and has suffered over 600,000 total casualties. This failure will mark history! Image
9/15 russia has required significant economic support from countries like china and india, as well as military assistance from china, north korea, belarus, and iran, to sustain its efforts in the war thus far, all without coming anywhere near its strategic objectives. Image
10/15 russia has managed to maintain its unsuccessful invasion by relying on its extensive Soviet-era stockpiles of equipment. However, its losses far exceed its production rates, and these large reserves are gradually depleting. This will become a massive issue for russia. Image
11/15 russia has had to significantly raise wages and bonuses to recruit enough personnel for its war efforts. These costs are expected to continue rising, and the recruitment contributes to inflation due to the acute labor shortage in the country. Image
12/15 russia's inflation has worsened to the extent that it has had to raise its key interest rate from 7.5% in June 2023 to 18% now, with further increases likely needed in the future. This situation is expected to deteriorate as the war continues. Image
13/15 In 2023, Prigozhin and Wagner attempted a coup, but the russian population's response was minimal, similar to their lack of reaction when Ukraine seized parts of the Kursk region. This indicates that Putin's regime is not very stable. Image
14/15 The war will eventually come to an end when the average russian grows weary of the economic and human toll it has taken. While this may take some time, it will conclude with a humiliating defeat for russia. No amount of propaganda can alter that reality. Image

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More from @joni_askola

Oct 18
1/7 Tomahawks won’t end Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Ukraine’s own drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles will.

Europe must stop waiting for Trump or Putin to act. They won’t.

It’s Europe’s duty to help Ukraine scale up and win Image
2/7 Last night showed again:

Europe, not the US, will be key to ending this war.

Trump offers nothing beyond the status quo, and even that will be hard to hold. It’s likely the best we can get.

Europe must stop waiting for Trump to act Image
3/7 The current setup is likely the best Ukraine and Europe can get:

US intel sharing and permission for Europe to buy US weapons for Ukraine.

We must do everything possible to preserve it.

Ukraine needs US weapons Image
Read 7 tweets
Oct 16
1/4 Trump fell for it again.

He spoke with Putin just one day before meeting Zelensky and agreed to meet him in Budapest to discuss peace.

Budapest is Putin’s turf.

This is a delay tactic to stop Trump from selling missiles to Ukraine Image
2/4 Putin is buying time. Trump is giving it to him.

Instead of pushing forward with weapons for Ukraine, Trump is now chasing another empty summit.

This is how Russia avoids consequences and stalls support Image
3/4 Reminder: Trump has sent zero new aid to Ukraine.

He has imposed no new sanctions on Russia.

If he ever does something helpful, treat it as a surprise.

He is consistently weak on Russia Image
Read 4 tweets
Oct 16
1/5 Ukraine has intensified its strikes and has now started hitting Russia’s power grid.

Russia has targeted Ukraine’s grid for years.

How will this shift impact the war and how Russians see it? Image
2/5 Both sides are fully committed to long-range strikes.

These are now the fastest way to shift momentum and accelerate the end of the war.

Ukraine is targeting oil refineries, defense production, and military infrastructure.

Russia targets everything, including civilians Image
3/5 Striking Russia’s power grid serves two goals.

It may deter Russia from hitting Ukraine’s grid, although that is unlikely.

And it brings the war home to ordinary Russians.

That pressure could change how the war is viewed inside Russia Image
Read 5 tweets
Oct 15
1/6 Russia and Ukraine are in a race against time.

Ground movements now matter less than long-range strikes.

The side that scales up missile and drone production faster will win this phase of the war, and it will be Ukraine.

Russia is in deep trouble Image
2/6 Ukraine has intensified its strike campaign in recent months.

Russia has too. Geran production is at record highs.

But Russia relies heavily on Shaheds, and Ukraine will eventually hit the Yelabuga drone factory Image
3/6 Ukraine is now producing cruise missiles with longer range and larger payloads.

Its strikes have been effective, hitting refineries and key infrastructure.

With US intel support, Ukraine is planning more. It hopes to get missiles from the US, paid by Europe Image
Read 6 tweets
Oct 15
1/7 Finland has the most advanced total defense model in Europe.

It is not just for war. It helps in any crisis.

Government, businesses, civil society, and citizens all have roles.

Europe should treat this as a benchmark and start building toward it, not merely on paper Image
2/7 Every big building has a bomb shelter.

Every sector has a contingency plan.

Every citizen knows what to do.

Finland’s model is built on realism, not illusions. It is quiet, practical, cheap, and effective Image
3/7 The military is backed by a trained reserve, strategic stockpiles, and legal obligations for civil preparedness.

No other European country has this level of integration.

It is the most complete deterrence system on the continent Image
Read 7 tweets
Oct 14
1/5 Zelensky has just revoked the citizenship of Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov.

The reason? He allegedly holds a Russian passport.

If confirmed, this could finally bring an end to the reign of one of Ukraine’s most corrupt and controversial leaders Image
2/5 Trukhanov has ruled Odesa since 2014.

He’s been linked to organized crime, smuggling networks, and major corruption cases.

He was arrested in 2023 for embezzling $2.5 million in a fake real estate deal. The case is still dragging on Image
3/5 He’s also been accused of blocking military aid, delaying defense spending, and making pro-Russian statements.

While Odesa was under threat, he did little to help.

For years, he treated the city like his personal empire Image
Read 5 tweets

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