The Ukraine Crisis

[Skjellyfetti]

If the theory that Russia has been using the "B Team" so far hold any truth, then this can get even more ugly real quick.

Well, when this thing started you thought they'd be pretty well crushed at this point

Think Ukraine even makes it to Friday? Will there be a Ukraine by the end of the month?

You gotta admit they're hanging on pretty damn well despite overwhelming odds.



I guess "savvy" Putin sent in his "B" team. Genius.

[SDHornet]

If the theory that Russia has been using the "B Team" so far hold any truth, then this can get even more ugly real quick.

Well, when this thing started you thought they'd be pretty well crushed at this point

Think Ukraine even makes it to Friday? Will there be a Ukraine by the end of the month?

You gotta admit they're hanging on pretty damn well despite overwhelming odds.

Yep. I thought Russia would have rolled them. Good on the Ukrainians. I hope they can hold out for the long run.

Here's another take comparing Russian tactics with what has been seen so far (long thread but good explanations). Seems legit, but I don't have any knowledge of this stuff but the explanations seem to line up with reports/vids I've seen.

[Ibanez]

Yeah - how’d that tough guy routine work out?


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Well not very well, because they chose not to listen to him. Pretty simple, really.

This is the correct answer, not SDs deflecting to Biden.

NATO ignored Trump and assumed the next president would reinstate the status quo.


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[Ibanez]

Yeah - how’d that tough guy routine work out?


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Well not very well, because they chose not to listen to him. Pretty simple, really.

This is the correct answer, not SDs deflecting to Biden.

NATO ignored Trump and assumed the next president would reinstate the status quo.


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[CAA Flagship]

I keep seeing the comparison of Ukraine vs. Russia military assets, followed by the "Ukraine is surprisingly holding up" narrative. For example, something like Ukraine 200k+ troops vs. Russia 900k+ troops. If you think of how many are actually in the fight, factor in the home field advantage and recruitment of civilians (not to mention the possible Russian "B" team), where the conflict stands after 4+ days shouldn't be much of a surprise, no?

[kalm]

This is not going well for Russia.

Economy is crashing fast, oligarch yacht mechanics are sabotaging their employers ships, and preliminary reports of Russian casualties are surprising.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... ZybzF2lGpU

[Ivytalk]

Serious question: when will someone just take Putin out? Preferably a Russian dissident, although Israeli commandos will do.

[Ibanez]

Serious question: when will someone just take Putin out? Preferably a Russian dissident, although Israeli commandos will do.

Had that thought last night. Why hasn't Seal Team 6 or MOSSAD been sent in a team to kill him. Seems we can "easily" do that with drones

[GannonFan]

Serious question: when will someone just take Putin out? Preferably a Russian dissident, although Israeli commandos will do.

Had that thought last night. Why hasn't Seal Team 6 or MOSSAD been sent in a team to kill him. Seems we can "easily" do that with drones

Hard to know who would come next to fill the void. People thought Yeltsin was ineffective and incompetent, but then we ended up getting Putin at some point. I'm not saying that getting rid of Putin would be a bad thing, he's clearly maniacal, just saying that even with getting rid of Putin it doesn't mean it will be all rainbows and puppies with Russia.

[GannonFan]

This is not going well for Russia.

Economy is crashing fast, oligarch yacht mechanics are sabotaging their employers ships, and preliminary reports of Russian casualties are surprising.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... ZybzF2lGpU

Hey, things went crappily for Russia when they went to war back in 1914 and all and we ended up with the Russian Revolution. Other than having nukes, a bunch of tanks, and tens of thousands of miles of battlefield, Russia has never been known as a crack and effective military force. And they're not really all that far from tsarist rule, even after all these years. Throw in the idea that the common soldier doesn't feel a real strong desire to give up his life to subdue a Ukraine that doesn't look all that much different from where they come from - I don't see an overwhelming, swift victory for Russia here.

[kalm]

This is not going well for Russia.

Economy is crashing fast, oligarch yacht mechanics are sabotaging their employers ships, and preliminary reports of Russian casualties are surprising.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... ZybzF2lGpU

Hey, things went crappily for Russia when they went to war back in 1914 and all and we ended up with the Russian Revolution. Other than having nukes, a bunch of tanks, and tens of thousands of miles of battlefield, Russia has never been known as a crack and effective military force. And they're not really all that far from tsarist rule, even after all these years. Throw in the idea that the common soldier doesn't feel a real strong desire to give up his life to subdue a Ukraine that doesn't look all that much different from where they come from - I don't see an overwhelming, swift victory for Russia here.

Let’s hope so. And I think if someone takes Putin out it’s going to be the oligarchs. That’s not necessarily an improvement. Power vacuums are tricky.

[SeattleGriz]

I could be off, but reading from some people that Russia isn't necessarily being "beaten" by Ukraine as much as Russia is taking their time. Move forward, give the Ukrainians a chance to put down weapons and go home, then move forward again.

Russia simply wants the US out and would be okay with Ukraine if they would stay neutral afterwards. Russia's nastiest weapons are still in the border. Give Ukraine a chance and if they don't agree, then Russia gets nastier.

I'll be honest in that I simply don't trust our media and that has pushed me towards other thoughts on what is really happening. We just went through two years of COVID politicization and all of a sudden, the media is going to report the truth?

[Ibanez]

Ukraine is recruiting a volunteer "IT army" of security researchers and hackers to conduct cyberattacks on thirty-one Russian entities, including government agencies, critical infrastructure, and banks.

Saturday afternoon, Ukraine's Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhaylo Fedorov announced that they need volunteer "digital talents" for an "IT Army" to conduct operational tasks against Russia on the cyber frontline.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/s ... 1-targets/

[Ibanez]

Had that thought last night. Why hasn't Seal Team 6 or MOSSAD been sent in a team to kill him. Seems we can "easily" do that with drones

Hard to know who would come next to fill the void. People thought Yeltsin was ineffective and incompetent, but then we ended up getting Putin at some point. I'm not saying that getting rid of Putin would be a bad thing, he's clearly maniacal, just saying that even with getting rid of Putin it doesn't mean it will be all rainbows and puppies with Russia.

Oh yeah. I wouldn't doubt that putting him so close to the Yelstin that he could take over wasn't some KGB plan all along.

[AZGrizFan]

This is not going well for Russia.

Economy is crashing fast, oligarch yacht mechanics are sabotaging their employers ships, and preliminary reports of Russian casualties are surprising.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... ZybzF2lGpU

Hey, things went crappily for Russia when they went to war back in 1914 and all and we ended up with the Russian Revolution. Other than having nukes, a bunch of tanks, and tens of thousands of miles of battlefield, Russia has never been known as a crack and effective military force. And they're not really all that far from tsarist rule, even after all these years. Throw in the idea that the common soldier doesn't feel a real strong desire to give up his life to subdue a Ukraine that doesn't look all that much different from where they come from - I don't see an overwhelming, swift victory for Russia here.

Throw in one more primary military tactic: Every war Russia has EVER fought has been one of attrition. It’s never been about stellar battlefield tactics, technical superiority or moral high ground. They eventually overwhelm their opponents with massive numbers. It’s the way they’ve fought for 200+ years.

[AZGrizFan]

This might be the funniest picture I’ve ever seen. Think maybe he’s paranoid about letting anybody get to close for a kill shot?

[CID1990]

We are entering a very dangerous time here. EU is claiming it will send fighters, we and Germany are sending weapons, volunteers from NATO countries including the US are moving into Ukraine…

Something is very wrong with Putin and we need to be very careful how these actions get publicized. The guy literally used fantastical storytelling to concoct a justification for this invasion. We can help Ukraine but it needs to be much quieter. Putin really is unhinged and it wouldn’t take much for him to do something that would invoke the NATO charter. After that all bets are off


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[CAA Flagship]

This might be the funniest picture I’ve ever seen. Think maybe he’s paranoid about letting anybody get to close for a kill shot?

Shuffleboard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, Winterborn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SeattleGriz]

We are entering a very dangerous time here. EU is claiming it will send fighters, we and Germany are sending weapons, volunteers from NATO countries including the US are moving into Ukraine…

Something is very wrong with Putin and we need to be very careful how these actions get publicized. The guy literally used fantastical storytelling to concoct a justification for this invasion. We can help Ukraine but it needs to be much quieter. Putin really is unhinged and it wouldn’t take much for him to do something that would invoke the NATO charter. After that all bets are off


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I agree. Kinzinger saying we need to control airspace sure sounds like a sure fire way to piss Putin off.

[CAA Flagship]

Switzerland is on board with sanctions.

[Ibanez]

Hey, things went crappily for Russia when they went to war back in 1914 and all and we ended up with the Russian Revolution. Other than having nukes, a bunch of tanks, and tens of thousands of miles of battlefield, Russia has never been known as a crack and effective military force. And they're not really all that far from tsarist rule, even after all these years. Throw in the idea that the common soldier doesn't feel a real strong desire to give up his life to subdue a Ukraine that doesn't look all that much different from where they come from - I don't see an overwhelming, swift victory for Russia here.

Throw in one more primary military tactic: Every war Russia has EVER fought has been one of attrition. It’s never been about stellar battlefield tactics, technical superiority or moral high ground. They eventually overwhelm their opponents with massive numbers. It’s the way they’ve fought for 200+ years.

Aren't most of those wars of attrition like Napoleonic and and WW2 defensive wars? They allow the climate, terrain and distance work against their enemies and then overwhelm with any citizen that can carry a gun (or ammo)?

[kalm]

We are entering a very dangerous time here. EU is claiming it will send fighters, we and Germany are sending weapons, volunteers from NATO countries including the US are moving into Ukraine…

Something is very wrong with Putin and we need to be very careful how these actions get publicized. The guy literally used fantastical storytelling to concoct a justification for this invasion. We can help Ukraine but it needs to be much quieter. Putin really is unhinged and it wouldn’t take much for him to do something that would invoke the NATO charter. After that all bets are off


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It would seem the nuke threat and bringing in Belorus look desperate. Desperate is not a good look but also dangerous.

[kalm]

The Swiss are picking a side.

Also…fuck those assholes.

https://www.businessinsider.com/switzer ... KTgsJI46uU

[AZGrizFan]

Throw in one more primary military tactic: Every war Russia has EVER fought has been one of attrition. It’s never been about stellar battlefield tactics, technical superiority or moral high ground. They eventually overwhelm their opponents with massive numbers. It’s the way they’ve fought for 200+ years.

Aren't most of those wars of attrition like Napoleonic and and WW2 defensive wars? They allow the climate, terrain and distance work against their enemies and then overwhelm with any citizen that can carry a gun (or ammo)?

US strategy is not one of attrition. Hasn’t been since WWII. We’ve always assumed a large technology advantage and smaller, better trained, better equipped forces.

[Ibanez]

We are entering a very dangerous time here. EU is claiming it will send fighters, we and Germany are sending weapons, volunteers from NATO countries including the US are moving into Ukraine…

Something is very wrong with Putin and we need to be very careful how these actions get publicized. The guy literally used fantastical storytelling to concoct a justification for this invasion. We can help Ukraine but it needs to be much quieter. Putin really is unhinged and it wouldn’t take much for him to do something that would invoke the NATO charter. After that all bets are off


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It's escalating for sure. Putin isn't backing down. Does anyone NOT think they'll try to kill Zelensky at the "peace" talk today? Today's talk will go like this:

Russia - Surrender Ukraine, surrender yourself and we'll end hostilities.
Ukraine - Go fuck, yourself.


Nobody truly believes there will be any compromise, do they? Zelensky isn't going to give up 1 sq inch of Ukrainian soil and Russia isn't going to slink away in defeat.