Russian invasion of Ukraine

[Iphie]

Putin sidelines his own Defense Minister.



I trust James Bond to have up-to-date accurate intel.

Be careful on the sidelines, Sergei. I hear there's a lot of open windows there.

If putin takes over then that's not necessarily going to improve their fortunes. I mean the man was a mid level KGB Toadie who had studied law, not a military genius.

[Breccia]

If putin takes over then that's not necessarily going to improve their fortunes.

Putin will find someone to replace Sergei's lifeless corpse. He needs someone to blame when his dreams of reforming the CCCP turn out to be impossible in the 21st goddam century.

I don't see Putin taking over in any useful fashion. With or without fatal cancer.

- - - Updated - - -

Ukraine is reporting they have broken through the first line of Russian defences in Kherson.

Ukraine launches counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied Kherson

The announcement followed reports of Ukrainian artillery strikes on Russian positions in Kherson Oblast, and unconfirmed claims from Ukrainian officials that Russia's "first line of defense" near Kherson had been breached.

Two senior U.S. officials told CNN's Jim Scuitto that Ukraine is targeting Russian weapons systems, command and control centers and ammunition depots in preparation for advances in southern Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted, "Kherson is [Ukraine]. Our Kherson is ahead."

The launch of the offensive comes as inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head to Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine for an urgent examination of Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which has been damaged by shelling.

"Oh my God, why would you stand in front of the fucking barrel, Captain Morgan is trying to win a war, get out of the way you moron"

Russia took large swaths of southern Ukraine in the opening days of the war, advancing north from occupied Crimea. Even as Russian forces were repulsed from Kyiv and bogged down in the east, they solidified their hold on Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

In Kherson, Russia installed a puppet government, restricted the internet, mandated the use of the ruble and started issuing Russian passports. The White House has warned that Russia could announce a sham referendum there in the coming days as a precursor to annexing the territory into Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia has redeployed thousands of troops from the east — where a Russian offensive has stalled — to defend against the anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south.

Ukraine has been using longer-range rocket systems provided by the U.S. to strike Russian ammunition depots. Meanwhile, a series of unexplained explosions on Russian military facilities in Crimea — a critical hub for Moscow's operations in the south — have hinted at Ukraine's ability to strike far behind the front lines.

[Corvus]

The Ukrainian authorities are asking bloggers and other online types to go completely dark on the Kherson operation, for opsec reasons. Perfectly understandable, given a single photo was all it took for the Wagnerite HQ to get smashed.

Some stuff has come out, mostly from the Russia side, including the Gherkin doing his best doomposting. The Ukrainians are having success at a number of locations according to Russian sources. The Russians were hit hard by heavy Ukrainian artillery fire, including HIMARS targeting the frontline for the first time. One of the main targets was apparently a separatist unit that got hit hard and was driven back - they were meant to be supported by a VDV unit as well, but they also ran.

It'll probably be a little while before actually confirmation of what is going on comes out.

Oh, and Belogrod was hit again leading to the locals trying to flee at midnight via train to Moscow.

- - - Updated - - -

And someone seems to have been given their marching orders - far-right Austrian activist Martin Sellner of the Identitarian movement has occupied the Nordstream 2 terminal and demanding it immediate re-opening and a referendum on the energy and sanctions policy of the Federal Republic.

Hrm, Germany having problems with an Austrian born far-right politician, whose names ends in -er.

[Edge-]

Oh, and Belogrod was hit again leading to the locals trying to flee at midnight via train to Moscow.

Is this the "find out" portion of "Fuck around and find out"?

Because this seems like the "find out" portion. Almost like Russia just assumed that the west wouldn't provide any assistance to Ukraine in any way, shape, or form and consequently they never had anything to worry about in their 3-day special operation as it enters its 7th month.

[Jastall]

Is this the "find out" portion of "Fuck around and find out"?

Because this seems like the "find out" portion. Almost like Russia just assumed that the west wouldn't provide any assistance to Ukraine in any way, shape, or form and consequently they never had anything to worry about in their 3-day special operation as it enters its 7th month.

To be absolutely fair to them, Western assistance would indeed have been far lesser had the country indeed fallen within 3 days or even a week. Whatever resistance movement they could find would have gotten some guns and minor intelligence thrown their way to drag on the conflict a bit, much like the rebels in Syria got, but ain't no way Uncle Sam is shipping Javelins or bigger toys to partisans operating out of a local babushka's basement.

[Fantomen]

Would the US lose more than half its energy production if they halted purchase of Russian uranium? Cause several european countries would if they stopped buying Russian oil and gas?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ium_production

According to wiki Russia have 5.43% of the worlds Uranium production. Then Kazakhstan 40.57% Canada 13.09% Australia 12.18% So replace Russian Uranium will not be that hard.

[Veggie50]

The Ukrainian authorities are asking bloggers and other online types to go completely dark on the Kherson operation, for opsec reasons. Perfectly understandable, given a single photo was all it took for the Wagnerite HQ to get smashed.

Some stuff has come out, mostly from the Russia side, including the Gherkin doing his best doomposting. The Ukrainians are having success at a number of locations according to Russian sources. The Russians were hit hard by heavy Ukrainian artillery fire, including HIMARS targeting the frontline for the first time. One of the main targets was apparently a separatist unit that got hit hard and was driven back - they were meant to be supported by a VDV unit as well, but they also ran.

It'll probably be a little while before actually confirmation of what is going on comes out.

Oh, and Belogrod was hit again leading to the locals trying to flee at midnight via train to Moscow.

- - - Updated - - -

And someone seems to have been given their marching orders - far-right Austrian activist Martin Sellner of the Identitarian movement has occupied the Nordstream 2 terminal and demanding it immediate re-opening and a referendum on the energy and sanctions policy of the Federal Republic.

Hrm, Germany having problems with an Austrian born far-right politician, whose names ends in -er.

Russion sources are reporting that the Ukrainian offensive sadly failed to achieve anything and accrued massive losses.

I therefore consider it confirmed by the Russians that they're in full "OH FUCK" mode and Ukraine is being massively succesfull with minimal casualties.

[Bakis]

Well Russia got some new friends, Iran, North Korea.
That limit their circle of friends to about 3 plus some pseudo supporters like Venezuela, Turkey.

GL the coming 20 years facist Russia.

[Corvus]

Russia keeps making outlandish claims, like shooting down the Ukrainian airforce 3 times over (yet it still flies), destroying more Bayraktars than have ever been made (yet they still fly) and destroying more HIMARS than have been given to Ukraine (without a single one actually being destroyed.)

Turns out the reason for the later is that Ukraine made a series of decoys for them and Russia wasted at least 10 very expensive Kalibr missiles taking them out. Apparently they cost $6.5 million each.

[Edge-]

Turns out the reason for the later is that Ukraine made a series of decoys for them and Russia wasted at least 10 very expensive Kalibr missiles taking them out. Apparently they cost $6.5 million each.

Man, this has big "Patton's Inflatable Army" vibes to it and I love it.

So much for all Russia's "advanced capabilities" and whatnot. Some plywood and paint seems to be overcoming the might of Russia's information networks and causing them to blow money on missiles they can't afford.

Is there a chance of Russia running out of munitions like this at any point? Or functional aircraft? Last I recall they were scavenging parts from civilian aircraft and using consumer GPS devices and shit, so things can't be going much better at this point...

[Iphie]

Man, this has big "Patton's Inflatable Army" vibes to it and I love it.

So much for all Russia's "advanced capabilities" and whatnot. Some plywood and paint seems to be overcoming the might of Russia's information networks and causing them to blow money on missiles they can't afford.

Is there a chance of Russia running out of munitions like this at any point? Or functional aircraft? Last I recall they were scavenging parts from civilian aircraft and using consumer GPS devices and shit, so things can't be going much better at this point...

Word is russia is running out of 'smart' munitions, and their GloNASS system isn't working top notch so any 'gps' missilles are a bit wonky, the downside is that stupid munitions are far MORE indiscriminate than smart munitions meaning more civilian casualties. (I know, scary thought.)

[Kaleredar]

Man, this has big "Patton's Inflatable Army" vibes to it and I love it.

So much for all Russia's "advanced capabilities" and whatnot. Some plywood and paint seems to be overcoming the might of Russia's information networks and causing them to blow money on missiles they can't afford.

Is there a chance of Russia running out of munitions like this at any point? Or functional aircraft? Last I recall they were scavenging parts from civilian aircraft and using consumer GPS devices and shit, so things can't be going much better at this point...

Well, from the article:

Russia does not disclose information about its stockpile of precision-guided missiles in Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence last week reported that Russia had “at most 45% of its missiles remaining”, while a senior US official said Moscow’s missile stockpiles had gone down appreciably, adding that sanctions would make it harder for Russia to replenish its expensive high-end missiles.

Certainly a good sign if they've blown through their top-end in a matter of months, with no feasible way to construct more.

[Lahis]

Man, this has big "Patton's Inflatable Army" vibes to it and I love it.

So much for all Russia's "advanced capabilities" and whatnot. Some plywood and paint seems to be overcoming the might of Russia's information networks and causing them to blow money on missiles they can't afford.

Is there a chance of Russia running out of munitions like this at any point? Or functional aircraft? Last I recall they were scavenging parts from civilian aircraft and using consumer GPS devices and shit, so things can't be going much better at this point...

Advanced tech and munitions? Those might run short this year or the next because of the sanctions.

Basic artillery shells? I'm afraid Russia has enough of those to expand Black Sea to Belarus border.

[Corvus]

Advanced tech and munitions? Those might run short this year or the next because of the sanctions.

Basic artillery shells? I'm afraid Russia has enough of those to expand Black Sea to Belarus border.

Not really. There was a report on this earlier which said Russia had around 1.3 to 1.5 million tons or artillery and rocket ammo. In the first 4 months they expended 600,000 tons of it. It is now month 7 and since that time Ukraine has daily been eliminating huge ammo depots.

On top of that, for the previous decade they were making at most only 230,000 thousand tons of new ammo. They could possibly increase that but not by enough to make much of a difference.

[Makabreska]

Fk sake EU leaders not going for a full travel ban for ruskies. 80% Crimea annexation approval? 80% "special operation" support? GTFO!

[enigma77]

Fk sake EU leaders not going for a full travel ban for ruskies. 80% Crimea annexation approval? 80% "special operation" support? GTFO!

Yep the weaklings arguing that the people aren't responsible are a bunch of jokers, aren't they? Of course it's the people who are responsible for their evil government.

[Specialka]

Fk sake EU leaders not going for a full travel ban for ruskies. 80% Crimea annexation approval? 80% "special operation" support? GTFO!

A full travel ban would actually helps russian propaganda: "See? We told you they do not like Russians, etc..."

[Edge-]

A full travel ban would actually helps russian propaganda: "See? We told you they do not like Russians, etc..."

Why on earth should anyone outside of Russia give a fuck about this? Russia is going to put out propaganda no matter what. Allow travel? They'll continue spreading propaganda. Ban travel? They'll continue spreading propaganda, they just might have a piece of actual information in there as well.

What lies Russia tells their people should not factor into decisions made regarding Russia by countries not named "Russia".

[Specialka]

Why on earth should anyone outside of Russia give a fuck about this? Russia is going to put out propaganda no matter what. Allow travel? They'll continue spreading propaganda. Ban travel? They'll continue spreading propaganda, they just might have a piece of actual information in there as well.

What lies Russia tells their people should not factor into decisions made regarding Russia by countries not named "Russia".

Because like it or not, Russia, unfortunately, has many supporters outside their border. And what full ban Russia from traveling in EU would really achieve anyway ? Apart from feeding their propaganda ?

[Iphie]

Yep the weaklings arguing that the people aren't responsible are a bunch of jokers, aren't they? Of course it's the people who are responsible for their evil government.

If you think that the russian people have much choice when it comes to who leads them then I have a bridge for sale, special price for you. They may have elections but I sincerely doubt they're honest.

A full travel ban would actually helps russian propaganda: "See? We told you they do not like Russians, etc..."

Yep...like it or not but this is a valid concern. Also the US not backing a full ban is probably a concern.

Why on earth should anyone outside of Russia give a fuck about this? Russia is going to put out propaganda no matter what. Allow travel? They'll continue spreading propaganda. Ban travel? They'll continue spreading propaganda, they just might have a piece of actual information in there as well.

What lies Russia tells their people should not factor into decisions made regarding Russia by countries not named "Russia".

Because it is easier to swallow propaganda with a kernel of truth than it is propaganda without basis. Simply put, if russians can still travel then clearly we don't hate them, but if we ban travel it's because we hat them.

If you can convince a population that the rest of the world is against them then it is much easier to control them and to get them to go fight.