Russian invasion of Ukraine

[Breccia]

China is going to f@#k them hard

But they will use protection.

“Not long before Russia invaded Ukraine, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met in Beijing and declared the friendship between their countries had ‘no limits’. Russia is likely finding out now that this ‘future-oriented strategic partnership’ is in fact limited,” said Yanmei Xie and Dan Wang from Gavekal Dragonomics.

“While China shares Russia’s disdain for the US-led international system, its material assistance to Russia under Western sanctions will be meager.

“In recent days, officials in Beijing have inched away from their earlier pro-Russia statements and taken on a more neutral tone. As sanctions threaten to reduce Russia to an economically isolated pariah, China will not ride to its rescue.”

China is not worried about all that much, but they do more business with countries against Russia, than Russia. They're not looking to do anything that will force an ultimatum, simply because there's a loss for China to do that. Putin is not in a position to challenge this. Also, all that petroleum he has might be useful for making lube.

- - - Updated - - -

Russia has come out and said that they are not going to institute martial law. The fact that they felt the need to actually say that does say something about the situation going on in Russia.

Yeah, there's two kinds of things you deny: things that are insultingly false, and things which are insultingly true. And the civil unrest isn't going anywhere.

It'll be interesting to see with which troops he defends himself from these mobs. Surely the military left in Russia talks to the mlitary in Ukraine? Oh, right, they don't have long-range radios. Shame this isn't an Ubisoft game, they could just climb a tower.

- - - Updated - - -

Many people don't see the sanctions as such noble moves to accelerate the "necessary" or necessary fall of the current regime, but more as an offensive against them.

Probably because they don't see the sanctions aimed specifically at Putin's friends. Or hear about the assets being seized.

I totally get that some Russians might view an attack on any Russian as an attack on all of Russia. This is America. We have intentionally ill-informed people over here, too. But what we don't have, is crumbling cashless banks. The Ministry of Enlightenment can say whatever they want, but it's not America who's closing the Russian stock exchange, blocking currency exchanges, or drafting their children.

[PfeffermintShake]

Tell me the Sanctions are working , without actually saying "the Sanctions are working."

Russian oil giant Lukoil calls for halt to Ukraine war!

[Slant]

Russia has come out and said that they are not going to institute martial law. The fact that they felt the need to actually say that does say something about the situation going on in Russia.

But then again they also said they weren't going to invade Ukraine, so who knows.

I found it's pretty accurate to listen to what Russia claims it does/won't do, and then assume they're going to do the opposite. The Government in Russia seems to be pathologically unable to tell the truth. Works pretty well!

[PhaelixWW]

Tell me the Sanctions are working , without actually saying "the Sanctions are working."

Russian oil giant Lukoil calls for halt to Ukraine war!

I don't think Lukoil is under any actual sanctions. Doesn't mean their stock hasn't dropped some 99%, though.

[Slant]

So the giant column north of Kyiv that been stalled four days running now? Last report I heard was that they were setting up field camps, which is a sign they aren't planning to move anytime soon.

Juicy, field camps are good targets!

[Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang]

But they will use protection.



China is not worried about all that much, but they do more business with countries against Russia, than Russia. They're not looking to do anything that will force an ultimatum, simply because there's a loss for China to do that. Putin is not in a position to challenge this. Also, all that petroleum he has might be useful for making lube.

- - - Updated - - -



Yeah, there's two kinds of things you deny: things that are insultingly false, and things which are insultingly true. And the civil unrest isn't going anywhere.

It'll be interesting to see with which troops he defends himself from these mobs. Surely the military left in Russia talks to the mlitary in Ukraine? Oh, right, they don't have long-range radios. Shame this isn't an Ubisoft game, they could just climb a tower.

- - - Updated - - -



Probably because they don't see the sanctions aimed specifically at Putin's friends. Or hear about the assets being seized.

I totally get that some Russians might view an attack on any Russian as an attack on all of Russia. This is America. We have intentionally ill-informed people over here, too. But what we don't have, is crumbling cashless banks. The Ministry of Enlightenment can say whatever they want, but it's not America who's closing the Russian stock exchange, blocking currency exchanges, or drafting their children.

The thing is, if the current state of affairs is to become the new normal, on the medium term China will have gained a guaranteed supply of oil, gas and wheat for when they invade Taiwan and get hit by sanctions.

[TheramoreIsTheBomb]

I agree with Lindsey Graham.

[snebb]

Pretty ballsy move if true;

Russian TV channel plays Swan Lake before shutting down

"The ballet was played during the 1980s to mark the death of leaders and in a 1991 coup"

[segara82]

Linked earlier but yes that was an interesting analysis.

Apologies, i must have missed it.

[Corvus]

The Chinese FM has come out and said not to dicks near nuclear power plants, though he did say both sides should exercise caution so they are still fence sitting.

[snebb]

These edits will never not be hilarious
https://twitter.com/MENAConflicted/s...60223865704452

Russia pretty much becoming the no1 arms dealer to Ukraine at this point. Replace all the fuel tanks and this shit is good as new
Russian operators that abandoned this Pantsir-S1 left the screens on

[Collegeguy]

The dumber part about attacking the actual plant is if you actually plan to take and hold the country you probably will want electricity too. Even if just for some of your people only. Would be much easier to hit a few sub stations around the plant to knock out the power and then rebuild those after in a matter of weeks. Instead of a shelled out and possibly melting down nuclear plant that could make the area unlivable for centuries to come. Directly hitting the plant comes across as something I would do if I planned to bail and leave the the locals holding the bag. Truth probably is more like Russia just doesn't have any real plan and is just attacking anything it can hit.

Putin will likely win the war, but I have doubts he will ultimately win Ukraine. The region will likely be a thorn in Russia's side for generations. I think Putin's plan at this point is to save his own dignity.

[DarkAmbient]

I would be in the Netherlands, a NATO member. As ex-military there is a decent change I will be called to arms if shit hits the fan. And if a NATO member is attacked I'm willing to do so.

Unlike some people I'm not asking for a war I'm not willing to fight in.

A person's willingness or capacity to fight in a war has no relevance to their opinion on whether or not military action should take place. You don't get any internet valor points for your willingness to fight and it doesn't lend any weight to your arguments.

[PhaelixWW]

Apparently, rogue elements of the FSB are trying to keep Zelensky alive.

London Times: Volodymyr Zelensky survives three assassination attempts in days

President Zelensky has survived at least three assassination attempts in the past week, The Times has learnt.

Two different outfits have been sent to kill the Ukrainian president — mercenaries of the Kremlin-backed Wagner group and Chechen special forces. Both have been thwarted by anti-war elements within Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

Wagner mercenaries in Kyiv have sustained losses during their attempts and are said to have been alarmed by how accurately the Ukrainians had anticipated their moves. A source close to the group said it was “eerie” how well briefed Zelensky’s security team appeared to be.

On Saturday an attempt on Zelensky’s life was foiled on the outskirts of Kyiv. Ukrainian security officials said a cadre of Chechen assassins had been “eliminated” before they could reach the president.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, told Ukrainian TV channels that Russian spies had tipped them off about the planned assassination.

Ukrainian officials claim the information that led to the deaths of the Chechens came from disgruntled agents in the FSB who oppose the invasion.

The Wagner mercenaries were unaware of the Chechen assassins but have carried out their own attempts to decapitate the government, after being embedded in Kyiv for more than six weeks, tracking the activities of 24 high-profile Ukrainian targets.

The group had been told to await the arrival of the Spetsnaz — Russian special forces — to provide them with a secure corridor out of Kyiv once the assassinations had been completed.

The risk of such an operation would be very high and Wagner will be braced for casualties, they added. One theory is that once the group established Zelensky’s location, they could put a laser target marker on him and the Russian air force could fly in and drop a bomb.

[Corvus]

What would really be helpful would be if they took Putin out.

[Xyonai]

Apparently, rogue elements of the FSB are trying to keep Zelensky alive.

London Times: Volodymyr Zelensky survives three assassination attempts in days

Alternative take with a side of tin-foil: There aren't any FSB agents involved, and it's a CIA Psyop to make Putin distrust his Intelligence agencies.

[PhaelixWW]

Alternative take with a side of tin-foil: There aren't any FSB agents involved, and it's a CIA Psyop to make Putin distrust his Intelligence agencies.

Outcome's still the same, so... why not.

[TheramoreIsTheBomb]

What would really be helpful would be if they took Putin out.

it'll have the same affect Japan had when the US dropped 2 nukes

[Collegeguy]

I agree with Lindsey Graham.

In assassinating Putin, he has a good point. It's not as if Russia has to continue being a contrarian to the west. Communism in Russia is over, and this old-guard thinking that Russia will find success by being the enemy of everyone around them is spiteful at best.

[dwarven]

What would really be helpful would be if they took Putin out.

I'm sure a lot of really rich people hate his guts right now. How does he even eat or sleep without constantly second guessing it? If any more nuclear weapon shenanigans happen, I think that will be the final straw in making something like that happen.