Russia on brink of ... NOPE! Russia INVADES Ukraine!

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cytg111

Lifer
Mar 17, 2008
24,030
13,539
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So Russia is stumbling here right… on more than on front(pun)..

When this is said and done and if we ever get insight, wouldnt it be something if it turned out to be Russian generals pulling their punches?
 

Dave_5k

Golden Member
May 23, 2017
1,927
3,690
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It is true… that Ukraine military made this claim, including claim that there was full load (100+) of Russian paratroopers on board the IL-76. Now whether the claim is true, given no photos or other proof yet, is a fair question.

Quite possible as they likely still have some stingers at the very least, and an IL-76 is much easier target. (Edit: apparently claim that SU 27 shot down the IL. Good news and I am surprised that Ukraine still has active fighter planes, given the massive air power imbalance and substantial ballistic missile strikes at most airfields)
 
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zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,165
30,117
146
Sounds like “Reich-SIS”. Might be helpful now, but it might not be good when they have to go home without their caliphate…err…white nationalist dreamland.

yeah, I don't know what to think about it. Strange that ultra rightwing nationalists would go on the offensive against the uh, world leader ultra rightwing nationalist nation and their despot.

Oh, I get it: they must be coming from Poland? :D
 

Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
12,321
9,175
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Disappointing, but somewhat understandable given their special relationship with Russia.

This should have been the time for India to re-align a bit. Solidarity with other democracies strikes me as a better play than sucking up to your bully's bitch.

And not surprising at all. I don't think many would expect an overt statement one way or the other.
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
11,902
2,848
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It is starting to sound like the Russians are suffering more losses (troops and vehicles) than he could have possibly thought. Of course the Ukrainian numbers are inflated, but even with that, it does not sound like it's going easy. Sounds like the Russians are not taking over enough crucial points as fast as they should being such a bigger power. Even some supply line issues are coming out. More protests in Russia than anticipated. He might have even thought they'd have surrendered by now. This just may take a lot more than he thought, and that is a miscalculation.
Still too early to say. If he topples the Zelenskyy government within days, as has been predicted, then Russia basically owns Ukraine even if they aren't prepared to occupy the entire country for very long. The sanctions are real and substantial, but could take years to hurt Russia. Unless we seize assets of the oligarchs, which would surely have an influence on Putin and his mafia.

I commend Pres. Zelenskyy for staying to turn the lights out in Kyiv, but isn't it far safer in western Ukraine for him? If Russia soon topples Kyiv, they'll have to sneak Zelenskyy and his ministers out at significant risk?

Finally, I haven't seen anyone mention this but Russia is under-vaccinated and still in the throes of an omicron surge. Even if they commit all 190k soldiers to occupying Ukraine, I'd imagine that COVID itself is hitting their manpower pretty hard.
 
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zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,165
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looks like the civilian flattened by that Russian APC survived--video on NBC of locals pulling out some ~80 year old dude.

Tough motherfuckers. Russians having trouble taking out the elderly, it seems.

As for the molotovs, NPR said earlier that local chemistry students were set up in their labs making them all day, distributing to the people in Kyiv.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
38,501
8,771
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Russian logistics suck balls. I've seen reports that there is a large # of recently conscripted (like Dec.) troops involved. They've also been forward deployed for quite a while depending on where we're talking. Entirely believable that they're needing to scrounge.
If that's true, Russia troop morale will for sure be a big problem. That spells good for Ukrainians and where this could be leading. I'm hoping for Russian troop defections, retreats, lackluster results of their commanders' intentions.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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If that's true, Russia troop morale will for sure be a big problem. That spells good for Ukrainians and where this could be leading. I'm hoping for Russian troop defections, retreats, lackluster results of their commanders' intentions.

I don't actually think that's how it would go. He's so far into this gambit he'll just continue to shell everything and scuttle the whole city before leaving. At least so long as all other countries stay out of it.
 
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Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
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I don't actually think that's how it would go. He's so far into this gambit he'll just continue to shell everything and scuttle the whole city before leaving. At least so long as all other countries stay out of it.

Yep. There won't be any retreat with his tail tucked between his legs. He'll level whatever he can and declare the "Nazis" defeated first. I think there will be some of the morale issues with ground troops, but not enough to stop him from destroying as much as he can.