Russian invasion of Ukraine

[Cynep]

Ukrainian numbers are ridiculously small. Well, that happens because Russian side barely films anything (under a ban to use mobile phones), with few official videos released. Most come from Chechens doing their publicity stunts and the "republics", who do not care.

Another possible reason is that Ukrainians, on their own turf, are better at choosing when to engage, and prefer giving ground which their enemy can't hold forever anyway, over losing equipment which is more permanent.


On the other subtopic, I can't help but listen to some amount of Russian radio here, news/propaganda aimed at real Russians, and radio hosts/guests are openly saying these last days that yes, there seems to be a course set on "deconvertabilization" of ruble (my best portrayal of the Russian word), like it was in Soviet times. It's said "Uncle Vanya" is suggested to take over McDonald's. And, anyone who cared knew for years that Iron Curtain 2.0 was Putin's longtime dream actually.

[Jessicka]

Unconfirmed yet, but Russia may have lost a 3rd general.

To Ukrainian forces or a window?

[Breccia]

Ukraine accuses Russia of firing at Belarusian village from Ukrainian air space

Like @Shrouded said, I cannot think of a good reason why Ukraine would fire a missile into Belarus. I can't even imagine a reason they'd fire a Russian missile into Belarus. Ukraine is having a hard enough time as it is, provoking Belarus even with a ruse would be the last thing on their mind right now. The rewards don't justify the risks. So I find the Ukrainian statement likely honest.

I'm hoping Belarus is just as reluctant as they were before, and that one stray missile doesn't change their minds.

[Cynep]

Unconfirmed yet, but Russia may have lost a 3rd general.

I remember Scroe railing at Russia that they have too many generals. Now we know why they they need so many. :|

[DingDongKing]

@Shalcker got banned? What a shame. He always told such clear truths about everything. /s

[Breccia]

Unconfirmed yet, but Russia may have lost a 3rd general.

Are you talking about Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky? Because that is confirmed, the Russian government confirmed recently he died Feb 28th invading Ukraine.

[Jessicka]

Ukraine accuses Russia of firing at Belarusian village from Ukrainian air space

Uhm, yikes. There've been credible sources talking about false flag operations for some time, but Russian aircraft attacking Belarusian villages is pretty damn evil. Of course, the logic of Ukraine attacking another nation while they're themselves in the process of being invaded seems to be lacking, so I'm not sure how they're going to attempt to explain that particular false flag.

Edit: Sniped!

Yeah it’s been apparent that Belarus got cold feet about joining in last week, being a much less stable dictatorship they know sending in troops would just be instant-coup there. I’m surprised Putin doesn’t realise that, given he still has a lot of troops stationed there surely getting them embroiled in another civil conflict would only serve to fuck up his logistics even further.

[Breccia]

What a shame. He always told such clear truths about everything. /s

Remember that time he claimed a general that was killed wasn't a general but someone who had the same name, and somehow, Ukrainians recognized the name on someone with the wrong face and wrong uniform? I remember it like it was yesterday.

[Cynep]

I'm hoping Belarus is just as reluctant as they were before, and that one stray missile doesn't change their minds.

Say what you want about Lukashenko, he's super sly and cunning. I expect him to maneuver out of this tricky situation like he did out countless others.

[Breccia]

Say what you want about Lukashenko, he's super sly and cunning.

I hope so, in this case at least. If it is a Russian false flag, I hope he figures that out or at least assumes such.

And why hasn't Putin used bald eagles carrying smallpox yet? The UN is meeting shortly, if not already.

[Jessicka]

Say what you want about Lukashenko, he's super sly and cunning. I expect him to maneuver out of this tricky situation like he did out countless others.

The only manoeuvring he needs to do is to keep his troops outside his office.

[jonnysensible]

what defense agreements does belarus have with russia?

[Breccia]

FOX gotta FOX, yo.

US leaders predicted Kyiv's swift fall after Russian invasion. Why were they so wrong?

I love this headline. FOX News is so desperate to paint Biden in a negative light, this is what they went with. Oh, they also bring up how quickly the Taliban took over Afghanistan, while forgetting that Trump negotiated with them directly.

To be fair, I think most people predicted that Russia would take Ukraine quickly, because most people believed Russia was a competent threat. Big surprise, this includes FOX News, who blatantly posted this:

Russia expert Rebekah Irina Koffler said a 'blitzkrieg-type' attack could begin as early as tonight.

Rebekah Irina Koffler goes on to say:

'Having recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and signed treaties today, Russia will almost certainly deploy armed forces, imminently, to occupy these breakaway territories. Putin has already authorized the deployment of “peacekeeping” troops into Eastern Ukraine.

Russian offensive operation against Ukraine will likely begin at 8 pm Eastern time and may not be limited to occupying Eastern Ukraine. Moscow is waging a propaganda campaign that lays out the pretext for an incursion into Ukraine proper. Russia may launch a large-scale air and missile bombardment of key military and government command and control facilities in major Ukrainian cities, preceding a ground incursion.

I cannot rule out the possibility of Putin’s authorizing a “decapitation” strategy, targeting Kiyv, to force Zelensky to flee, so Moscow can install a pro-Russian leader. At minimum, a crippling cyber warfare campaign will target Kiev, including its power grid.

This will be a swift blitzkrieg type operation. Whether Putin decides to target only Eastern Ukraine or Ukraine proper, Moscow will declare victory on February 23, the Soviet Army Day.'"

That is the entire article. I did not leave out FOX News doubting or second-guessing anything. Just that exact timeline, Feb 21->23, a two-day victory, without reservation.

Followed by this Cruz statement that this was all Biden's fault.

Just a reminder that Putin doesn't have a 100% share in propaganda.

- - - Updated - - -

what defense agreements does belarus have with russia?

They don't need one. Belarus is a Russian puppet state. Well, that's what people were saying up until five days ago, at least.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh by the way, I swear I'm not making this up, India fired a missile into Pakistan and just now admitted it and apologized.

Just pointing out there that even hostile countries can maintain relations a stray random missile can't break. If it was a Ukrainian missile fired by Ukraine, they had the same option available to them. They didn't take this route. That further demonstrates they're probably telling the truth here.

- - - Updated - - -

Despite China repeating what Putin has said about US labs in Ukraine, the UN says they have no such evidence. Again, not that it'd matter, even if they were 100% true the US would just veto anything.

But if the claims were true, the question is, why did Putin wait this long to say anything?

[Iphie]

Are you talking about Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky? Because that is confirmed, the Russian government confirmed recently he died Feb 28th invading Ukraine.

News is spreading of a Major general Andrei Kolesnikov being KIA

[Grimbold21]

News is spreading of a Major general Andrei Kolesnikov being KIA

https://www.businessinsider.com/thir...22-3?r=US&IR=T

[Ripster42]

They are always free to flee towards the country that's invading them. In what kind of reality does that sound plausible?

Further: "They'd rather die to russian artillery, than live 'free' in russia." The fact that the corridors to russia are open and empty should be a clear sign to anyone with a brain as to what's happening.

[Shadowferal]

On the other subtopic, I can't help but listen to some amount of Russian radio here, news/propaganda aimed at real Russians, and radio hosts/guests are openly saying these last days that yes, there seems to be a course set on "deconvertabilization" of ruble (my best portrayal of the Russian word), like it was in Soviet times.

"Blocked currency" or "Non-convertible currency."

[Edge-]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/techn...e-white-house/

Man, and the White House is now briefing TikTokers about this shit so they can spread accurate (or at least more US friendly) information, because social media has become the propaganda warfield and for some reason people to go lifestyle influencers for news?

I hate this reality so much.

[Makabreska]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/techn...e-white-house/

Man, and the White House is now briefing TikTokers about this shit so they can spread accurate (or at least more US friendly) information, because social media has become the propaganda warfield and for some reason people to go lifestyle influencers for news?

I hate this reality so much.

Hey man, I simply put it under "educate the people".

[Edge-]

Hey man, I simply put it under "educate the people".

Oh, it's a good thing to go to where people are getting information from and all. It's just the Absolute State of Things where people are rushing to social media platforms to hear about the Russian invasion of Ukraine from a beauty guru while she's doing her latest makeup tips, or hear analysis of events from workout bro as he's doing his daily workout video.

I just hate that it's a thing period.