Sales of new cars produced in Russia have slumped since Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in late February, with sanctions limiting access to parts and several foreign producers suspending operations in the country. Their withdrawal, along with the stronger rouble has pushed up demand for used cars from Asia, with logistical challenges partially to blame for prices being about 10% higher in September than the start of the year, the central bank said late last month. [...] The vast majority, 76%, of used cars were imported from Japan, with Belarus distant second with a 5.3% share, the data showed. [...] The West has sanctioned the export to Russia of some materials used in car manufacturing, while production halts have further hobbled the sector. Japan has sanctioned the export of high-value cars to Russia, but used cars imported by individuals fall outside the sanctions remit. Moscow is also promoting a grey imports scheme to allow supplies of goods to continue.
I hear the Russian military may be importing slightly used tanks from Ukraine soon.
Mansoor - how do you feel about your country supplying drones to Russia, which are being used against Ukrainian targets?Hello, senior Frank
Russia has a ruling system, and Putin is on top of that. Of course, I don't deny that his character and governing manner didn't affect the system, but it is not Mr. Putin who only dominates Russia. That is a collection, including government members, military generals, intelligence organizations, and Russian congress members who direct the complex government, but their representation is Mr.Putin.
As you see, despite Putin's serious and sharp-sighted character that appears in the scenes like a mighty king, he behaves like a brother with the officials and people of Russia. He always is connected with Russian officials, army generals, officers, or even soldiers.
He always consults with them for every decision and grand policy. During his long-time presidency, some of the close coadjutors and partners, whether in the government or army, have recognized his national character, ideas, governing manner, relationships with the world, and foreign policies.
If we suppose one day he leaves the Russian government for any reason, it doesn't mean a great loss because the Russian government system is in its place and will choose a president similar to Putin instead. At that time, the structure of the Russian government, the congress's decisions, and the army's strategies will be in its place.
For example, if we suppose Mr. Putin becomes retired someday, we probably will see from hundreds of Russian candidates that someone like this person is elected as president. Afterward, Putin will spend the rest of his life in a cottage in the woods beside a blue lake while is riding, swimming, and fishing carefree. LOL
View attachment 91007
Of course, I mixed the end of the comment with humor, but I don't think it is far from reality anymore.
Doubtful. I believe this is embedded within human nature. If there were any peaceloving human societies, they were long ago killed off by the warlike ones.I wonder if the day will ever come when we don't spend time and a fortune in money on how to best kill each other.
Maybe Denisovans and Neanderthals were too nice?!? Just good for compliant wives?Doubtful. I believe this is embedded within human nature. If there were any peaceloving human societies, they were long ago killed off by the warlike ones.
Hello, senior Frank
Russia has a ruling system, and Putin is on top of that. Of course, I don't deny that his character and governing manner didn't affect the system, but it is not Mr. Putin who only dominates Russia. That is a collection, including government members, military generals, intelligence organizations, and Russian congress members who direct the complex government, but their representation is Mr.Putin.
As you see, despite Putin's serious and sharp-sighted character that appears in the scenes like a mighty king, he behaves like a brother with the officials and people of Russia. He always is connected with Russian officials, army generals, officers, or even soldiers.
He always consults with them for every decision and grand policy. During his long-time presidency, some of the close coadjutors and partners, whether in the government or army, have recognized his national character, ideas, governing manner, relationships with the world, and foreign policies.
If we suppose one day he leaves the Russian government for any reason, it doesn't mean a great loss because the Russian government system is in its place and will choose a president similar to Putin instead. At that time, the structure of the Russian government, the congress's decisions, and the army's strategies will be in its place.
For example, if we suppose Mr. Putin becomes retired someday, we probably will see from hundreds of Russian candidates that someone like this person is elected as president. Afterward, Putin will spend the rest of his life in a cottage in the woods beside a blue lake while is riding, swimming, and fishing carefree. LOL
View attachment 91007
Of course, I mixed the end of the comment with humor, but I don't think it is far from reality anymore.
Hi Mansoor,
Thanks for the explanation. I read some recent news stories on the drones in Ukraine and found one example of an apartment block being hit by a drone, killing a pregnant woman and three others. I'll put that down to a faulty drone and accept your assertion that they are only used against military targets.
It's interesting that Iran denied that their drones were being used in Ukraine for over two months. I wonder why that was?
I also read that there's a lot of controversy in Iran itself about the use of the drones with a both a newspaper editor and a cleric publicly speaking out against it.
Row brews in Iran over use of its drones in Ukraine war by Russia
Conservative cleric and a newspaper editor openly critical of government’s stance on weapons it supplied to Moscowwww.theguardian.com
We don't need new. And no need to choose.
Well qualified strategist, respected by current Commander, should be the best solution, when old good Mr. Crabs gona retire.
Mansoor - I realise that the situation isn't black and white and that we have different opinions on the war, but I started the conversation with you because I wanted to discuss the war with someone who had a different opinion from me and maybe come to some common ground. Judging from your last post, this won't be possible.Don't listen to some news that tries to provoke public emotions with fake videos, pictures, or one-sided articles.
You may know, in some situations, buying or selling military weapons between two allied countries are among the classified confidential documents, and revealing them to the public is not allowed strictly due to some national security reasons.
I pointed out that selling the Iranian drones to Russia was before Russia encircles Ukraine to break up the connection between Zelenskyy and his party with NATO. So, the Iranian officials were not obligated to declare their secret trade for public while it was before the Ukraine issue.
Also, as I told you already, the intention of the Russian government is not to hurt Ukrainian civilians and always help them to migrate from the areas that are the zone of engagement between the armed groups and Russian corpses. Russia even doesn't target public facilities such as power plants or other necessary factories that supply the requirements of people as much as possible. Russia even has nothing to do with the Ukrainian armies who give up fighting with Russian units. Russia only tries to end the resistance of Zelensky army that target the Russian military units with the sub or heavy weapons.
However, the limited number of drones that Russia bought from Iran was relative to the date before Russian corpses to arrive in Ukraine state.
But the old cars of USSR....Look at this beauty!
That's the Masterpiece!
Sadly, I have to agree with @Lothor's post.
What I learned from this thread - which, as a reminder, deals with Russian imports of Japanese cars - is that the Iranian leadership isn't as monolithic as we might assume. Apart from the fact that Iranian society is on the brink of collapse due to generational conflict and widespread discontent with an ossified and unpopular clerical regime, we shouldn't forget that there is an intense institutional rivalry between different branches of the military (the all-powerful Revolutionary Guards and the cash-strapped regular army) and other institutions (ministries, etc.). So if the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that they were unaware of drone exports to Russia, this could, in fact, be true. The Pasdaran are a state within the state.
Yes, I agree. When we lived in Iran (in the pre-revolutionary days), we saw many of these. What were they called? Volga?
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