Russian invasion of Ukraine

[CostinR]

It's dark now - take literally every single post about some success until the morning with HEAVY grain of salt. No one really will fight in cities at night.

Most significant post here. The heavy fighting is over until tomorrow morning and likely until noon.

Yeah, 3 updates, but no real proof yet. Would be an important win for Ukraine.
Is it possible? Absolutely, light infantry without support vs mechanized brigade? Very low chances the longer it goes on. What Russia did was obviously very high risk/high reward attempt.

I have difficulty believing Ukraine's claims as a general rule. They exaggerate things or outright lie.

I think the VDV was sent to secure a runway for Russian transports to bring equipment supplies for their eventual push on Kiev. Did they fail? If so what happened to at least a battalion worth of troops? Because we know Ukraine didn't kill capture them. Did they flee north? Did they lose control of the runway but still maintain some foothold in the area?

We frankly don't know.

Either way today's summary:

- Ukraine military bases were hit across the entire country pretty hard in the early morning by a combination of cruise missiles and regular artillery.
- Ukraine's air force and air defense capabilities have been significantly reduced or outright destroyed. Pentagon claims Russia has achieved Air Superiority.
- Neither Russia or Ukraine have deployed the bulk of their ground forces so far. They each have thousands of tanks and armored vehicles deployed and so far we only know of clashes accounting for at most hundreds, if even that.
- Russia likely was laying groundwork for offensives tomorrow and following days. Pentagon source claims Russia has not deployed their full military capabilities.
- Kiev held Kharkov, but lost Crimean Canal and Chernobyl. Crimean Canal was lost due to redployment of a tank brigade to the east ( according to militaryland.net ).
- Russia tried to secure an airport 15 miles from Kiev through an air assault. Reports suggest they were driven out. Uncomfirmed.

Situation is only going to escalate.

[uuuhname]

I'll ignore the rest of your HORSESHIT AND LIES AND https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism.

Those bases exist to prevent exactly the fucking thing that Russia is doing right fucking now. It's the only thing that guarantees any degree of safety from Russian psychopaths.

Again. NATO, voluntary alliance. Russia, EMPIRE INVADING AND ANNEXING SHIT. NATO exists to keep Russia at bay. And HOLY FUCK Russia proved how ABSOLUTELY necessary NATO is overnight.

and again where exactly is this belief that NATO is going to invade Russia (fucking lol) have any basis in reality? the only pressure the west has put on Russia is purely economical. where have the threats of invading Russia come from in the west/NATO? nowhere....

[Corvus]

One report is that Ukraine's spetnaz forces are involved at the airfield and helped drive off a second wave of Russian paratroopers trying to reinforce the first

The first lot are still around, either at or near the airfield.

Whatever the case, with fighting going on there, there is no way you'd even try to land planes there.

[CostinR]

One report is that Ukraine's spetnaz forces are involved at the airfield and helped drive off a second wave of Russian paratroopers trying to reinforce the first

The first lot are still around, either at or near the airfield.

Whatever the case, with fighting going on there, there is no way you'd even try to land planes there.

Interesting thanks a great deal for the info. Clearly Ukraine does not want to lose that fight.

However Russia can still send helicopters to support their troops there if they do indeed still hold the airfield.

[Easo]

I have difficulty believing Ukraine's claims as a general rule. They exaggerate things or outright lie.

I think the VDV was sent to secure a runway for Russian transports to bring equipment supplies for their eventual push on Kiev. Did they fail? If so what happened to at least a battalion worth of troops? Because we know Ukraine didn't kill capture them. Did they flee north? Did they lose control of the runway but still maintain some foothold in the area?

We frankly don't know.

They both lie, Ukraine has probably "destroyed" far more troops and vehicles than in reality, while Russia is clearly sprouting crap about troops surrendering/running away and making the impression that Ukrainian forces are collapsing.
That's normal, it is war.

Have they failed? I would say so, half a day has passed but no IL-76'es landed there. But were the paratroopers destroyed or did a fighting retreat (there are forests)? That is a good question. But the idea itself was clearly a part of an attempt to win the war ASAP. I wonder if they will attempt the flight of Valkyries again, it was close to becoming very costly.
P.S.
Judging by photos from the airport Russia embedded a journalist amongst paratroopers. Someone clearly wanted a quick big win. As they love to say and joke, маленькая победоносная война - small victorius war.

[CostinR]

@Easo I think Russia certainly suffered setbacks, and yes I do agree that they likely had a high aim with that air assault. We clear don't have a good picture of what is going on there.

But such is war. They have achieved success but Ukraine has not crumbled...yet.

[Arrashi]

I really wish Germany would decide and declare which side they are on.

[Easo]

@Easo I think Russia certainly suffered setbacks, and yes I do agree that they likely had a high aim with that air assault. We clear don't have a good picture of what is going on there.

But such is war. They have achieved success but Ukraine has not crumbled...yet.

If most of the big cities along the border and the whole situation in southern front around Herson/east towards Mariupol still holds by Monday - maybe we can expect a miracle of ceasefire/negotiations. IF. MAYBE.
Next 3 days will probably make or break it.

[CostinR]

I really wish Germany would decide and declare which side they are on.

On their own, no one else's.

If most of the big cities along the border and the whole situation in southern frond around Herson still holds by Monday - maybe we can expect a miracle of ceasefire/negotiations. IF. MAYBE.
Next 3 days will probably make or break it.

I believe it would be nothing short of a miracle if that happened. The sanctions wouldn't go away and I think Putin has made his call that he is going all in on this one with no turning back.

[Arrashi]

On their own, no one else's.

Yeah, sadly it seems that no matter how many things change, they cannot be trusted. Im almost afraid of them stabbing nato in the back.

[Corvus]

Haven't heard of Anonymous is years but at least some of them have popped up to say they are in a cyberwar against Russia.

[Easo]

I believe it would be nothing short of a miracle if that happened. The sanctions wouldn't go away and I think Putin has made his call that he is going all in on this one with no turning back.

If judging by his speech upon starting the war and only by it - this is until the end, when everything, including Lwiw, is taken. The scale would seem to prove it too.
But there are some buts in all this and he is not stupid. In the end it really does not matter what the average Russian will want or think, what Kremlin will decide, will go, including stopping this madness, just blah blah afterwards about all targets achieved repeatedly on state TV.

[Strawberry]

He's a Tzar, after all.

[Vampiregenesis]

Why did Zelensky wait so much to announce general mobilization? Why wouldn't he ban leaving the country earlier?

You are doing these things from the start, not when you are about to lose.

[Corvus]

Russia has confirmed one of its An-26 transports has gone down. They are saying it went down near Ukraine due to equipment failure and all crew have died.

[Gimlix]

Yeah, sadly it seems that no matter how many things change, they cannot be trusted. Im almost afraid of them stabbing nato in the back.

Dude what -.- Why would Germany Betray NATO

Looks like Russia has a hard time in Ukraine though! All though i expect both sides to lie alot about what is really going on. No way they lost that little each side so far.

[Edge-]

Russia has confirmed one of its An-26 transports has gone down. They are saying it went down near Ukraine due to equipment failure and all crew have died.

So Russia is killing its own troops with equipment failures? That's wild.

[DarkAmbient]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ELINTNews...80444868493316

Ukrainian President Zelensky: “The enemy’s sabotage forces have entered the capital. Me and my family are remaining”

[Voidwielder]

Dude what -.- Why would Germany Betray NATO

One can easily say that by not doing their own homework, they already have.
Literally no European leader is as responsible for the military weakness of Western Europe as Merkel lol

Obama practically begged her to spend more on defence. Macron tried to push "strategic autonomy" multiple times. Merkel said nein because of money
And the fact that there are rats like Gerhard Schroeder....

[Forogil]

Again.. can you name me ONE country of NATO where the US does not have a military base?

Well, how about: Denmark, France, Canada, Czech Republic?

Although Russia's action might cause them to reconsider.

So, the misinformation campaigns are progressing as normal.