War in Ukraine

[AM64]

They just bombed Odesa's grain facility.

this is my shocked face.

Pootin just needed to prove to the world that they are dependent on Ukrainian grain ... and Ukraine can't be trusted to supply it. Therefore, Russia must take over Ukraine and Ukrainian facilities to keep the world from starvation. Pootin is a humanitarian and a genius ... the rest of us just never understood.

 

[evillawyer]

 

[AM64]

Good read. Also works as kryptonite on @Rasputin_Vol.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-was-never-about-nato/

"It is clear from Putin’s own actions that he understands perfectly well NATO will never attack Russia. This should come as no surprise. Indeed, the entire notion of NATO invading Russia is recognized as absurd by all but the terminally swivel-eyed. This does not mean Russian objections to NATO’s post-1991 enlargement are entirely insincere; on the contrary, the growing presence of the Alliance in the former Eastern Bloc over the past thirty years is perhaps the leading source of geopolitical bitterness and resentment throughout the Russian establishment. However, it is critical to clarify that this indignation has nothing to do with legitimate security concerns. NATO is not a threat to Russian security; NATO is a threat to Russian foreign policy because it prevents Russia from bullying its neighbors. In other words, NATO enlargement is no more or less provocative than a burglar alarm is to a thief."

Absolutely. Putin is upset. Because of NATO, he'll never be able to put the band back together for the great new world tour. He had such plans for the USSR v2 ... to be called Russia - new and fully expanded with a bald dwarf wearing the old Tsarist headgear and other trappings. Then NATO came along and seduced all those other parts of Russia, so he can't just march in and take them back ... like Ukraine.

 

[AM64]

So Belarus is the new Australia - the new home for transported Russian convicts. Sounds just wunnerful.

 

[NorthDallas40]

Absolutely. Putin is upset. Because of NATO, he'll never be able to put the band back together for the great new world tour. He had such plans for the USSR v2 ... to be called Russia - new and fully expanded with a bald dwarf wearing the old Tsarist headgear and other trappings. Then NATO came along and seduced all those other parts of Russia, so he can't just march in and take them back ... like Ukraine.

Exactly. NATO expansion eastward isn’t aggression against Russia. It counters the inevitable Russian aggression against the former satellite candidate countries

 

[USF grad in TN]

Good read. Also works as kryptonite on @Rasputin_Vol.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-was-never-about-nato/

"It is clear from Putin’s own actions that he understands perfectly well NATO will never attack Russia. This should come as no surprise. Indeed, the entire notion of NATO invading Russia is recognized as absurd by all but the terminally swivel-eyed. This does not mean Russian objections to NATO’s post-1991 enlargement are entirely insincere; on the contrary, the growing presence of the Alliance in the former Eastern Bloc over the past thirty years is perhaps the leading source of geopolitical bitterness and resentment throughout the Russian establishment. However, it is critical to clarify that this indignation has nothing to do with legitimate security concerns. NATO is not a threat to Russian security; NATO is a threat to Russian foreign policy because it prevents Russia from bullying its neighbors. In other words, NATO enlargement is no more or less provocative than a burglar alarm is to a thief."

Instead of burglar alarm, I would say Neighborhood Watch Program. Putin's been telling people for many years that they shouldn't join the Neighborhood Watch, but for reasons that he can't seem to comprehend, major crimes make more people want to join.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

just responding to the tweet which implies getting the blogger is a significant accomplishment - wonder if he was a civilian or could be considered a member of the press

They've got a recent history of killing journalists. Maintaining the narrative and winning the media war is just as important to them as winning the war on the ground. While they are on their last legs in the ground war, they are running the table on the information war.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Absolutely. Putin is upset. Because of NATO, he'll never be able to put the band back together for the great new world tour. He had such plans for the USSR v2 ... to be called Russia - new and fully expanded with a bald dwarf wearing the old Tsarist headgear and other trappings. Then NATO came along and seduced all those other parts of Russia, so he can't just march in and take them back ... like Ukraine.

Where are you getting this nonsense about Russia wanting to rebuild the Soviet Union?

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

True some troublemakers (Putin comes to mind) in the more civil parts just can't leave things alone, but largely we've evolved to respecting borders and how other countries conduct themselves internally ... as long as we can tamp down the thought of world order from the unelected in places like the UN.

Best to leave what's in the past in the past, while remembering we aren't those people. To do otherwise is the basis for "white guilt" or whatever, and things we could have done nothing at all about - unless someone has a time machine to go back and do a great reset, and good luck with what that might put into play.

Does the United States (Syria, Guantanamo Bay), NATO (Kosovo), Israel (Golan Heights, East Jerusalem, West Bank) and Turkiye (NE Cypress) come to mind? Or are your blinders only on those damn Ruskies?

 

[AM64]

Does the United States (Syria, Guantanamo Bay), NATO (Kosovo), Israel (Golan Heights, East Jerusalem, West Bank) and Turkiye (NE Cypress) come to mind? Or are your blinders only on those damn Ruskies?

Oh, I'm blind. It's only Russia doing this stuff.

 

[Velo Vol]

Pootin just needed to prove to the world that they are dependent on Ukrainian grain ... and Ukraine can't be trusted to supply it. Therefore, Russia must take over Ukraine and Ukrainian facilities to keep the world from starvation. Pootin is a humanitarian and a genius ... the rest of us just never understood.

It looks like an attempt to break the sanctions by driving up food costs.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Another gamechanger...

US buying decommissioned Hawk missiles from Taiwan for Ukraine – media

1. Why are they sending Hawk missile systems instead of Patriots? This is a 60+ year old system.

For reference: The MIM-23 HAWK is an American medium-range anti-aircraft missile system developed by Raytheon. It entered service in 1960 and has undergone several modernisation programmes since then. It has three generations: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III.

2. Why are they sending decommissioned weapons system?

3. Will 100 of these make a difference on an 1100 km front?

It's obvious that the US doesn't just hate Russians, but they hate Ukrainians if they are sending them into this offensive with no air support in flat steppe saturated with mines and a 60+ year old weapons system. The most wicked thing they could do by throwing away these lives instead of having Ukraine go to the negotiating table.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Oh, I'm blind. It's only Russia doing this stuff.

You only have any outrage when they do it.

 

[NorthDallas40]

You only have any outrage when they do it.

Oh the irony. Not a damn lick of situational awareness

 

[NorthDallas40]

Another gamechanger...

US buying decommissioned Hawk missiles from Taiwan for Ukraine – media

1. Why are they sending Hawk missile systems instead of Patriots? This is a 60+ year old system.



2. Why are they sending decommissioned weapons system?

3. Will 100 of these make a difference on an 1100 km front?

It's obvious that the US doesn't just hate Russians, but they hate Ukrainians if they are sending them into this offensive with no air support in flat steppe saturated with mines and a 60+ year old weapons system. The most wicked thing they could do by throwing away these lives instead of having Ukraine go to the negotiating table.

Russia could just get their heads out of their asses and leave you know Moe? But you always seem to whistle right past that point.

 

[AM64]

Another gamechanger...

US buying decommissioned Hawk missiles from Taiwan for Ukraine – media

1. Why are they sending Hawk missile systems instead of Patriots? This is a 60+ year old system.



2. Why are they sending decommissioned weapons system?

3. Will 100 of these make a difference on an 1100 km front?

It's obvious that the US doesn't just hate Russians, but they hate Ukrainians if they are sending them into this offensive with no air support in flat steppe saturated with mines and a 60+ year old weapons system. The most wicked thing they could do by throwing away these lives instead of having Ukraine go to the negotiating table.

Just a theory, but they could be intended for use against cruise missiles directed at cities and facilities in Ukraine. Hawks aren't long range or as sophisticated as newer air defenses, but they are cheaper (especially if written off as obsolete) than a lot of other SAMs. It would be a niche fit for something relatively cheap. Both sides are using very expensive technology to defeat some low cost but very problematic drones and missiles. Wouldn't be the first time that a cheap solution solved a problem.

 

[Vol737]

Pretty sure they were drug crazed too.... On that peyote and nicotine.

And the Hookah pipe! Wait, sorry, wrong Indians. Carry on.

 

[Velo Vol]

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Just a theory, but they could be intended for use against cruise missiles directed at cities and facilities in Ukraine. Hawks aren't long range or as sophisticated as newer air defenses, but they are cheaper (especially if written off as obsolete) than a lot of other SAMs. It would be a niche fit for something relatively cheap. Both sides are using very expensive technology to defeat some low cost but very problematic drones and missiles. Wouldn't be the first time that a cheap solution solved a problem.

If that is the case, then why were they not brought out before now?

Again, we are scraping the bottom of the barrel giving them obsolete equipment that you and I both know will be like handing someone a knife going into a gun fight.

 

[KB5252]

Where are you getting this nonsense about Russia wanting to rebuild the Soviet Union?

The events of the last 8 to10 years are examples aplenty. Do as we say or we invade and take what we want......

 

[volfanhill]

Where are you getting this nonsense about Russia wanting to rebuild the Soviet Union?

100%. I mean you are dead on. What evidence exists of the current Russia federation invading former Soviet Lands? Zero right.

 

[AM64]

If that is the case, then why were they not brought out before now?

Again, we are scraping the bottom of the barrel giving them obsolete equipment that you and I both know will be like handing someone a knife going into a gun fight.

Remember that thing about no plan surviving the first punch? Strategies and methods evolve on both sides of the battlefield. Just like any other crisis that someone faces, you have to prioritize and have alternatives. The other thing is there's always a nagging problem with no solution, and one day somebody has the dumb question - the "what if ..." that changes things.

However, in the scheme of things, as I recall, Hawks came up months ago. It seems like Spain was sending some to Ukraine. And a quick search says Ukraine got Hawks last year. Perhaps they've been successful and Ukraine is working their way through existing inventories when other countries offer them.

Spain to send two more HAWK air defence systems to Ukraine

 

[AM64]

Probably the best analysis of what's happening with the Ukrainian offensive that's been presented. Nothing really surprising - just a very solid "this is what, and this is why clearly and concisely written". Even the critical analysis of Ukrainian command is what you'd expect of any country that had not planned to wage war on anybody or expected to have one forced on them.

A Sobering Analysis Of Ukraine's Counteroffensive From The Front

 

[tvolsfan]

The events of the last 8 to10 years are examples aplenty. Do as we say or we invade and take what we want......

100%. I mean you are dead on. What evidence exists of the current Russia federation invading former Soviet Lands? Zero right.

No, guys, Russia doesn’t want to restore the Soviet Union. They’re just adamant that no former Soviet Countries join the EU or NATO, don’t elect governments that are more friendly to the West then to Moscow, and don’t resist when Russian troops enter their territory.

 

[headhunter15]