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10 sats \ 10 replies \ @kristapsk 17 Mar \ parent \ on: EU agrees to liquidate Russia's confiscated assets to finance supply of weapons econ
No, it's Ilyushin Il-76.
I'm Latvian, born in Soviet Union, understand Russian thinking and attitude towards life, have Russian friends, including friends living in Russia (they support Ukraine in this war).
You were born in 1989 or earlier?
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Earlier.
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The best way to cripple Russia economy and currency is low oil prices. Flood the market with excess crude oil.
But the political elite in the West want to kill oil which helps Russia and OPEC.
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I'm pretty sure a lots of bad strategic decisions in Western Europe were made with Russian influence and corruption. Closing nuclear power plants and relying on natural gas in Germany is clear example. No surprise that Gerhard Schroder after his political career worked for Nord Stream, Rosneft and Gazprom. Similar in Latvia, former prime minister Aigars Kalvitis is now CEO of Latvijas Gaze, which is Latvian gas company, partially owned by Gazprom (during his reign Latvian de iure gave away rights of Abrene (Pytalovo) town, which was part of Latvia before WWII).
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I heard recently that Russia banned Latvian language for 80 years. Is this true or fiction?
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Not officially banned, but there have been Russification policies in Latvia under Russian occupation since 19th century. During Soviet occupation after WWII lots of organized colonization by Russian speakers happened (Latvians were 75% in Latvia in 1935, 52% in 1989, now it's 62%; in comparision - 10%, 34%, 27% for Russians). It was often that you couldn't speak Latvian in a shop or workplace. It's still happening actually, but not so widespread.
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Do you speak Russian or Ukrainian?
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Yes, I can speak Russian. But with Russian speaking friends from abroad I prefer to communicate in English.
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English, who can't even get an aircraft carrier out of the harbor
Russians are no better in this regard currently, Admiral Kuznetsov isn't seaworthy.
German army that remains at about the same level as in 1950
It's actually worse. Ukrainians in the first week of war destroyed more Russian tanks than Germany has in working condition. And ammunition from DDR times they sent to Ukraine was at the same unmaintained unreliable shape as ammunition DPKR is sending now to Russia (some 50% success ratio on fire).
But then again, Russians are now forced to put old T-62's from conservation to the front lines, so it's not great for them either. And their need to buy ammunition and equipment from Iran and North Korea says something.
Ukrainians are brave and can fight, they just need support with weapons and ammunition.
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