Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-26

[Zoupa]

Neat story. How do you feel about it?

Every conscript hates it of course. But I realized that any french male, back in the day at least, had 3 life experiences that they could bond over and relate: school, church and the army. You could meet a random french dude and talk about those things wherever you were in the world, didn't matter what ethnic or social origin they were. Nobody goes to church since we hung our priests 200 years ago and they scrapped conscription 20 years ago. Now there's only school left as a common experience.

I think it's good that european countries are bringing it back, obviously regarding the russian morons but also on a "cohesion of society" factor. IMHO, anyways.

[Jacob]

Yeah... I believe conscription is probably a positive social force (barring massively abusive systems like what the Russians apparently have), though I feel a bit hypocritical saying so since I wasn't conscripted myself.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah... I believe conscription is probably a positive social force (barring massively abusive systems like what the Russians apparently have), though I feel a bit hypocritical saying so since I wasn't conscripted myself.

Same - also in the UK the forces are really struggling to recruit and I actually think national service could help with that too.

[Razgovory]

I thought Zoupa was Canadian.

[Grey Fox]

He is now, wasn't always.

[Razgovory]

Oh see, I was heavily criticized for thinking he had strong ties to France.

[Zoupa]

Oh see, I was heavily criticized for thinking he had strong ties to France.

You were?

I have both passports.

[Jacob]

Oh see, I was heavily criticized for thinking he had strong ties to France.

By whom?

[Tamas]

Yeah... I believe conscription is probably a positive social force (barring massively abusive systems like what the Russians apparently have), though I feel a bit hypocritical saying so since I wasn't conscripted myself.

My best friend at the time went into the army as a conscript, a lean, non-smoking 18 years old. Came out 9 months later an overweight chain smoker. Plus all the other stories I heard. Fuck that. I am sure nostalgia made it out to be a great thing for people who never left their town\village for more than a day except when they were in the army.


I accept it may be a necessary institution but the last time it was used it was meant to keep a constant mass army by rotating the youth, robbing 1-2 years of their lives. Bringing that back feels unnecessary. A shorter bout to make sure there is some training, plus a more robust voluntary reserve force, that would make more sense to me.

[Razgovory]

Oh see, I was heavily criticized for thinking he had strong ties to France.

You were?

I have both passports.

It's in the Palestine thread.

[Syt]

https://apnews.com/article/russia-economy-tax-vat-budget-war-ukraine-fbdcc44e609d6ae0a29552cf00c6891b

Russian lawmakers approve tax hike bill to boost economy as the war with Ukraine nears 4 years

Russian lawmakers endorsed new tax hikes on Tuesday as Moscow looks for new revenue sources to boost its economy during its nearly four-year war with Ukraine.

Legislators in the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved the key second reading of a bill that will raise value-added tax from 20% to 22%. The changes are expected to add as much as 1 trillion rubles (about $12.3 billion) to the state budget.

The new legislation also lowers the threshold for businesses required to collect VAT from 60 million rubles (about $739,000) in annual sales revenue to 10 million rubles (about $123,000). The changes, which will be introduced in stages up to 2028, are designed to stop firms from dividing their operations to avoid taxes. But they are also expected to hit many small businesses that were previously exempt.

The move is just one part of a swathe of new taxes that the Kremlin hopes will aid Russia's slowing economy. One new initiative will scrap the special, concessional rate on a state "recycling fee" for cars, largely targeting high-priced, imported vehicles.

Other proposals have included increasing taxes on spirits, wine, beer, cigarettes and vapes, as well as adding duties on technology items such as smartphones and notebooks.

After two years of robust growth fueled by military spending, Russia's economy shrank at the start of 2025 and is on course for growth this year of only around 1%, according to government estimates. Growth has suffered from high central bank interest rates, currently at 16.5%, which have been aimed at controlling inflation of 8% fueled by state defense purchases.

In the Russian government's draft budget for 2026, which was also approved by lawmakers Tuesday, Russia's military spending was set at 12.93 trillion rubles ($159 billion) — or 16.84 trillion rubles (207 billion), including spending on security and law enforcement.

The bills must now be approved once more by the lower house, before moving to the upper house and being signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Last month:

https://tvpworld.com/89408373/russia-finance-ministry-rules-out-higher-taxes-on-wealthy

'Simply excessive': Russia's finance ministry dismisses calls to tax super-rich

Russia's Finance Ministry has rejected calls to raise income taxes for the country's wealthiest citizens, saying such a move would be "simply excessive" as the Kremlin's war in Ukraine continues to strain the nation's economy.

I think in hindsight it was a bad career decision of mine to not be born/become super-rich, regardless of country.

[Tamas]

Amateurs, Hungary has had 27% Vat for like a decade now.