Topic: Russia launches invasion of Ukraine (*) & use spoiler tags for anything graphic!

[Black Bull Nova]

The Russians giving awards to the soldiers that tortured the IS terrorists. They are the Mafia

(Warning - The article is brutal read)


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/russian-officials-lauding-torture-was-unthinkable-now-it-is-proud-to-do-so

"As a result of the attack, some Russian MPs have called for the reinstitution of the death penalty. There has been a moratorium on executions since 1996"


I had to laugh ironically when I read that bit

[stockdam]

Anyone watch “Enemy in the Woods”?

It’s a fly-on-the-wall documentary about the Ukrainian Berlingo Battalion who are defending a section of a railway line that runs through a forest that lies north-west of Kupyansk. Their aim is to stop the Russian army controlling the railway.

It’s a bleak, depressing and brutal insight which shows the utter pointlessness of war. The soldiers on either side face a desperate battle under extreme conditions and stress whilst the likes of Putin sits many miles away in safety.

Like most conflict documentaries I was left with the question of “what is it all about” and why so many young men and women put their lives on the line for no real benefit. Yes Ukraine people are fighting to save their country but on the Russian side it’s just a conveyor of wasted lives. Russia may win but how does this serve the country and why do so many people have to lose their precious lives? Putin cannot be turfed out through democratic means and that allows him to do whatever he wants and to abuse his freedom and power.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

"As a result of the attack, some Russian MPs have called for the reinstitution of the death penalty. There has been a moratorium on executions since 1996"


I had to laugh ironically when I read that bit

Flip flop will be buzzing.

[Schmidt]

Ukraine just hit a Russian drone factory 1200km away... with a drone.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1bts3oh/shahed_drone_factory_in_russias_tatarstan_over/

Apparently it's a small plane converted into a drone, hence the big boom.

[thaddeus]

Ukraine just hit a Russian drone factory 1200km away... with a drone.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1bts3oh/shahed_drone_factory_in_russias_tatarstan_over/

Apparently it's a small plane converted into a drone, hence the big boom.

The downside of having the biggest country in the world!  There must be so many holes in the Russian air defences - they almost certainly couldn't withstand the same scale of attacks that they're launching on Ukraine.

Apparently all of those 12 individuals injured in the drone attack were "students" 

[Red Beret]

Russia seems to be using their supply of Iranian drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences so they can lob missiles at them. I've been a bit concerned about Russia's increasing use of ballistic missiles against targets in Ukraine.

[Schmidt]

Russia seems to be using their supply of Iranian drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences so they can lob missiles at them. I've been a bit concerned about Russia's increasing use of ballistic missiles against targets in Ukraine.

They've been saving these missiles for a very long time so they can drop them all at once, so the hope is that they run out pretty quickly and go back to saving them up again.

[Red Beret]

They've been saving these missiles for a very long time so they can drop them all at once, so the hope is that they run out pretty quickly and go back to saving them up again.

I hope so. Missiles are far more complicated to make than artillery shells. Ukraine are struggling badly with these saturation attacks.

[farawayred]

Ukraine just hit a Russian drone factory 1200km away... with a drone.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/1bts3oh/shahed_drone_factory_in_russias_tatarstan_over/

Apparently it's a small plane converted into a drone, hence the big boom.

How does that work? Small plane, small charge, small factory, big boom... 

More of those please!

EDIT: You know what, the strike was at a distance that covers pretty much all of Iran. Strike the fucking source of the problem! I wouldn't think many Western nations will be too opposed... (I know I'm talking nonsense, but I probably would be inclined to do that).

[Red Beret]

How does that work? Small plane, small charge, small factory, big boom... 

More of those please!

EDIT: You know what, the strike was at a distance that covers pretty much all of Iran. Strike the fucking source of the problem! I wouldn't think many Western nations will be too opposed... (I know I'm talking nonsense, but I probably would be inclined to do that).

Oh I would just love it if Iran declared war on Ukraine. As if they'd have the fucking gonads for that!

[PaulF]

Oh I would just love it if Iran declared war on Ukraine. As if they'd have the fucking gonads for that!

Hi, for the politically ignorant, can you expand on that?
Would Iran just get pummelled by Ukraine?  Would other countries see that as the green light to go in where they haven't had good enough cause to so far?

[Red Beret]

Hi, for the politically ignorant, can you expand on that?
Would Iran just get pummelled by Ukraine?  Would other countries see that as the green light to go in where they haven't had good enough cause to so far?

It was a tongue in cheek comment based around Iran preferring to pull the strings from the shadows rather than pushing it's intent openly. They wouldn't openly declare war against any country if they can obtain their objectives via other means.

[PaulF]

It was a tongue in cheek comment based around Iran preferring to pull the strings from the shadows rather than pushing it's intent openly. They wouldn't openly declare war against any country if they can obtain their objectives via other means.

Thanks RB.  I was well and truly whooshed

[Jiminy Cricket]

Thanks RB.  I was well and truly whooshed

TBF, I was whooshed too. And I suspect most here were 'whooshed' by Red Beret's comment.

[Red Beret]

I would really like to know though, how one heavily sanctioned country is able to supply so many fucking drones to another heavily sanctioned country. Who the fuck is supplying Iran? China? Africa?

[Schmidt]

I would really like to know though, how one heavily sanctioned country is able to supply so many fucking drones to another heavily sanctioned country. Who the fuck is supplying Iran? China? Africa?

A lot of the components for things like drones aren't under sanction as they're quite basic and can be used for commercial purposes too. It seems like Russia are finding ways around sanctions too, either by funneling items through countries like Kazakhstan or by setting up their own businesses in other countries and bringing components in through those.

[PaulF]

A lot of the components for things like drones aren't under sanction as they're quite basic and can be used for commercial purposes too. It seems like Russia are finding ways around sanctions too, either by funneling items through countries like Kazakhstan or by setting up their own businesses in other countries and bringing components in through those.

I've never understood the phrase "virtue signalling". Is that effectively what sanctions are?
A signal to the world theat 'hey , we're not sending weapons, nor weapon compenents to Russia" , yet "We're still allowing our businesses make millions while turning a blind eye"

[Schmidt]

I've never understood the phrase "virtue signalling". Is that effectively what sanctions are?
A signal to the world theat 'hey , we're not sending weapons, nor weapon compenents to Russia" , yet "We're still allowing our businesses make millions while turning a blind eye"

The sanctions have had an impact, but the invasion has been going on for a long time so Russia are slowly finding ways around them. It's still harder for them to get what they need and it costs a lot more as a result it's just not  stopping them completely.

[Black Bull Nova]

I had not realised that more civilians have died in Gaza than in the Ukraine (albeit a similar number)

[rhysd]

I had not realised that more civilians have died in Gaza than in the Ukraine (albeit a similar number)

Gaza having no air defence and being incredibly densely populated causes that. The Israelis can just rain hell down on them with no real threat to themselves.

Ukraine air defence has actually done very well. Without it most cities in Ukraine would be wrecked with a few hundred thousand dead.

[Black Bull Nova]

The Navalny Storyville programme on BBC is worth watching, few years old and very sad given events.


Helps us understand Russia a bit more

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Gaza having no air defence and being incredibly densely populated causes that. The Israelis can just rain hell down on them with no real threat to themselves.

Ukraine air defence has actually done very well. Without it most cities in Ukraine would be wrecked with a few hundred thousand dead.

Targetting those civilians (little girl who had to hide under dead relatives) & AID workers (three separate rockets killed 7 yesterday) causes that.

[Lusty]

I had not realised that more civilians have died in Gaza than in the Ukraine (albeit a similar number)

That's not for want of trying though.

[Draex]

A huge spike in conscription numbers for Russia over the last month. Wonder what could have influenced that.

[Byrnee]

I had not realised that more civilians have died in Gaza than in the Ukraine (albeit a similar number)

This isn't the thread, but one major factor here is that the Ukrainian government made it a priority from day one to remove civilians from the front lines through any means necessary, whereas Hamas use their population, women and children, to hide behind and amongst, meaning civilian deaths will of course be hugely disproportionate.

[PaulF]

A huge spike in conscription numbers for Russia over the last month. Wonder what could have influenced that.

Did I hear Ukraine are having to lower the age of conscription?
Actually I assume it's conscription. It might simply have been the age you can sign up there.

[Draex]

Did I hear Ukraine are having to lower the age of conscription?
Actually I assume it's conscription. It might simply have been the age you can sign up there.

Yes from 27 to 25, I don't think it's mandatory yet. Very sad, doesn't seem hard to swing this back to Ukraine with some hardware like Patriots.

[Red Beret]

Meanwhile in Congress, Mike Johnson continues to stall the Ukrainian aid bill as he struggles in vain to get his lunatic fringe on board.

He does realise he can just sidestep them if he seeks bipartisan support, right? Who am I kidding, of course he knows.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Yes from 27 to 25, I don't think it's mandatory yet. Very sad, doesn't seem hard to swing this back to Ukraine with some hardware like Patriots.

It's unforgivable they aren't being given what they need. Like for fcuk sake what in the name of christ is wrong with our democracy when we can't even give them the equipment they need to gain back what's rightfully their's. Shambles.

[farawayred]

A huge spike in conscription numbers for Russia over the last month. Wonder what could have influenced that.

It's a harsh winter, government projects need extra workers to be completed is my guess...

[bigbonedrawky]

It's a harsh winter, government projects need extra workers to be completed is my guess...

That and paranoia Vlad da bad and Stoltenburg both thinking the other is going to invade... Might have something to do with it.   

This isn't the thread 

Yes and if Classy catches us talking about those who can't be named, he'll lose his sh*t again...

One's like shooting fish in an ocean the other a barrel.
 

[thaddeus]

Some powerful words here from Zinchenko.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: Arsenal footballer would fight in Ukraine if called up

BBC Newsnight asked the footballer whether he would answer a call-up to fight, if he saw more value in that than staying to play football in the Premier League.

"I think it's a clear answer. I would go [to fight]", he said.

...

He said Russians used to call Ukrainians their "brothers" and "sisters", but the invasion has shown "all of us Ukrainians that we can't be friends with them any more".

"We will never forget what they have done to us, to our people," he said. "And that's what I will teach my kids as well. And my kids will teach their kids. This is not acceptable."

[Draex]

It's a harsh winter, government projects need extra workers to be completed is my guess...

Or a false flag terrorist attack on home soil..

[PaulF]

Some powerful words here from Zinchenko.

In the same way I view some charity work. Would he better off carrying on with his very well paid career and providing money for drones, shells, armour etc.
I know it's a very capitalist view and totally unfair on those that are fighting. But I do wonder whether he would do more good for the war effort via his ability to earn.

[thaddeus]

In the same way I view some charity work. Would he better off carrying on with his very well paid career and providing money for drones, shells, armour etc.
I know it's a very capitalist view and totally unfair on those that are fighting. But I do wonder whether he would do more good for the war effort via his ability to earn.

That's bad snipping of the article from me.  He does say he's so far donated £1m to the Ukrainian effort.

I get the impression - very much from the outside looking in - that morale may be an issue for Ukrainians due to the drawn out relentlessness.  Somebody like Zinchenko, captain of their national football team, enlisting would be a major morale booster.  That's not me saying he should do so but I can see why he would be willing to and huge credit to him for that attitude (I'm quite certain I'd be too cowardly!).

It does remind of the Iraq/Afghanistan invasions though and a NFL (?) player that enlisted.  I may be misremembering but I think he was killed in duty.  Sorry for the vague story with no details - I'm turning into my dad.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Can't remember his name, got shot by one of his own didn't he ?

[afc tukrish]

Can't remember his name, got shot by one of his own didn't he ?

Pat Tillman...

[rhysd]

Targetting those civilians (little girl who had to hide under dead relatives) & AID workers (three separate rockets killed 7 yesterday) causes that.

It isn't something that should be compared, but Russians target civilians too, yeah little girls as well.

They are performing 'double taps' at the moment, especially in Kharkiv, where they hit an area, wait for the first responders to arrive, then hit them too. Sick.

Air defence has been the only thing stopping them from levelling Ukraine.

[Red Beret]

Yeah. Kharkiv seems to be the next target. Things are getting desperate. Meanwhile the US has its thumb up its ass and Germany dithers.

Russia has all the bodies it needs to throw into such an offensive, but they're probably content to grind it down for now.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/_g60JmD7uAo&amp;ab_channel=ReportingfromUkraine" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/_g60JmD7uAo&amp;ab_channel=ReportingfromUkraine</a>

[rhysd]

Kharkiv is currently being laid to waste.  😥

Videos from there are terrifying. Nearly all electricity and water facilities have gone. They're being hammered with missiles.

Now 'double tapping' civilian areas for maximum death. The evil bastards.

They've stepped it up since the Americans pulled the aid. They don't have enough air defence or frontline ammo and Russia are taking advantage.

Hard to not think it's not a coincidence. When you hear about Mike Johnson's Russia connections...