The Russian commander of the “Vostok” Battalion fighting in southern Ukraine said on Thursday that Ukraine will not be defeated and suggested that Russia freeze the war along current frontlines.

Alexander Khodakovsky made the candid concession yesterday on his Telegram channel after Russian forces, including his own troops, were devastatingly defeated by Ukrainian marines earlier this week at Urozhaine in the Zaporizhzhia-Donetsk regional border area.

“Can we bring down Ukraine militarily? Now and in the near future, no,” Khodakovsky, a former official of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, said yesterday.

“When I talk to myself about our destiny in this war, I mean that we will not crawl forward, like the [Ukrainians], turning everything into [destroyed] Bakhmuts in our path. And, I do not foresee the easy occupation of cities,” he said.

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[–] Ram_The_Manparts@hexbear.net 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Germanic tribes, and this continues over to Ukraine culturally (because Rus), had the battle cry "better dead than slave". A village would fight down to the last woman, elderly, and child.

So when are you going to Ukraine to sign up for the frontline?

You're definitely gonna do that right?

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I'll have to inform you that I'm a conscious objector (spent my time in catastrophe relief) and by now too old.

But yes there's plenty of German reservists in Ukraine. Also what does that have to do with anything I said, I was glossing Ukrainian sentiment. Did you merely wanted to be right on the internet (in your own mind).

[–] trompete@hexbear.net 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How is this an excuse? The Germanic tribes of Ukraine used to fight down to the last elderly person I hear.

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Dude I'm two countries away. If Russia gets through Poland and half of Germany, sure, I'll be in the trenches. Probably wouldn't do much good but if I can't be of more use somewhere else, that's where I'll be.

[–] trompete@hexbear.net 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well that's better! Someone so interested in tales of Germanic valor should be ready for another Volkssturm. What I don't get is why you wouldn't sacrifice yourself in Ukraine, what with the blood relation and all. Maybe Ukrainians aren't quite as Germanic in your mind after all?

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Are you Völkisch or something? I'm getting distinct Nazi vibes from your line of thinking.

But I do have a song for you.

[–] trompete@hexbear.net 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm mocking you. You're the one that drew a line from Germanic tribes and their heroic culture to modern-day Ukraine. These are some pretty völkische theories you got there.

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Native Americans might speak about the War Path. You see it in a ton of indigenous tribes, more "civilised" populations, if they exhibit it, often don't have a name for it, especially when at peace. It's a not too uncommon expression of basic human instincts regarding defence of your loved ones. To get away from Germanic tribes but stay in Europe: Finns for the longest time didn't really have it in this way and were ruled by more or less benevolent Swedes, then Russia came along and, by treating them way worse, unearthed that stuff which is why you get "when the snow starts speaking Finnish" memes, they're absolutely capable of mobilising the complete country for their own defence, support for universal conscription is near universal, such things. For the closely related Estonians it took Soviet occupation to develop that fierceness.

[–] Flinch@hexbear.net 3 points 1 year ago