Putin's Invasion of Ukraine

[Cassia]

What can men do against such reckless hate?

Well, it just reminds me we are first and foremost apes saddled with millions of years of primal brain impulses. That is why we tried (and failed) to invent a pure god who is supposedly above our animalistic nature. And then we had to fall away from that god that to explain why we are what we are.

[Hydra009]

Terrible news about the Russian attack on Kyiv. Russia bombarded the city, killing at least 4 and wounding at least 80, including children. They also hit a funeral procession in Sumy.

[Hydra009]

A Russian FPV drone almost hit a stork. This wasn't some sort of freak accident. They intentionally chased down a stork in flight and just as they were about to hit it, the stork suddenly dived and escaped. WTF are they even trying to accomplish? Demilitarize and denazify Ciconia ciconia? WTF is even the goal here? It's like Ukraine's playing Arma 3 and Russia's playing Postal.

Russia threatened to bomb government buildings in Kyiv and demanded that foreigners clear out (the irony). The Europeans unveiled a pair of brass ones and said that they're staying. Hopefully, the Americans will be equally steadfast, but unfortunately orange is just a shade away from yellow, so it could go either way.

Evidentially, Putin's big beautiful bomb was meant mainly as a show of force directed at Westerners. To terrorize Ukrainians, scare Westerners from helping Ukraine, and force capitulation. That's why every time Ukraine pulls off some major feat, Russia bombs something to feel powerful and in control when it's all slipping away.

I swear, when Putin dies, I'm going to watch his funeral on TV and wave just like this:

[theantithesis]

Pity his funeral won't be like Mussolini's.

[Hydra009]

Ukraine continues to widen the gap in terms of drone warfare, swiftly approaching any military person's favorite word: overmatch.

I did read that the Russian authorities have forbidden civilian/commercial traffic on the highway from Donbas to Crimea - Russia's main logistical route supplying its forces in the southern direction - Crimea, Melitopol, Tokmak, Mariupol. This means that every single vehicle on that highway is fair game. No holding back for fear of civilian casualties.

Also, Russian telegram or some sort of social media suggested Russian military personnel disguising themselves as civilians and driving civilian vehicles because anything that looks remotely like a military vehicle on that highway tends to get hit. I guess they assume that the Ukrainians will just be oblivious to a civilian vehicle packed with military supplies. Maybe, if they were very lucky, that could've worked before, but given the Russian announcement, I very much doubt this 200 IQ plan will work...

[Hydra009]

“We’re going on a combat mission. Two rifles. Three sets of body armor for six people. Everyone’s crippled. This is just completely fucked up.” Wounded russian invaders going into an assault, including one on crutches. Date and location unknown.

6 people, 2 rifles. Yikes.

[Hydra009]

I just saw a video of a lone Russian soldier who stumbled on a gap in Ukrainian barbed wire defenses. A little path without any barbed wire - seemingly wide open compared to long stretches of defenses on both sides.

What would you do in that situation? Would you assume that the Ukrainians had somehow forgotten about that glaring flaw in their own defense? Or would you assume a trap?

If you affirmed that second possibility, winner winner, chicken dinner. Personally, I would've put a string of landmines right there. Because duh. But I guess the Ukrainians prefer showing off their drones, because they launched one and the result is predictable. Poor fool thought he was in the clear until he wasn't. Very dumb to assume that the Ukrainians built their defenses with such a glaring flaw. This ain't Star Wars.

It reminds me of a similar video where a Russian was assaulting through a field and there were several dead Russians at one specific spot in that field. He tries to run right by and finds out why there are dead Russians there in the first place. Landmines. Now, they have a permanent visitor. Stupid. Quite literally too stupid to live.

I don't understand these guys. Obviously, they're not all that stupid, these are just the mice you find in the mousetrap. But the general aptitude is not great. Lots of them fall for everything and readily make very unsound decisions. I play Counterstrike with more caution and restraint. They march in what can generously be called suicidal assaults without so much as badmouthing the boss, let alone turning on him. What more motivation do you possibly need? And if not now, then when?

The ones who surrender seem like geniuses in comparison, because even though they'll be traded back eventually and probably sent right back to the meatgrinder, they at least get to live for a while longer, and in much, much better conditions. And who knows, the war might be over while they're still in captivity, which is like winning the lotto back to back.

[Hydra009]

Ukraine Hits Russian Aircraft Plant, Airbase and Oil Refinery in Overnight Barrage

Ukraine launched overnight strikes on Russian military and energy infrastructure, reportedly hitting an aircraft repair plant in Taganrog, the Baltimor airbase in Voronezh, and the Tuapse oil refinery.

You read that right. Tuapse, for the fifth time. I'm surprised there's anything left that can burn but evidentially, there is.

Ukraine destroys MLRS, armored vehicles, and camouflaged artillery

Ukrainian middle-range strikes cut off Russian logistics, strangle the southern front

In recent months, Ukraine has quadrupled the destruction of enemy logistics, warehouses, equipment, command posts, and supply routes in the operational depth.

"A clear pattern is already visible in the dashboards: the more Russian logistics are destroyed, the fewer assault operations take place on the front line," Fedorov says.

The second military in the world won't defend you: Russia says its banks must defend themselves

The Russian government has told top banks including its federal reserve that they should shoot down Ukrainian drones themselves, as well as handling the costs.

Reuters reports that the Russian parliament has passed a law allowing the banks including Russia’s biggest, Sberbank, and other financial institutions to operate defence systems and arm staff against drones without special forces involvement. They would handle the cost themselves.

[Hydra009]

I think I understand now why Putin prohibited soldiers from having cell phones in Ukraine (they often use them anyway)

[Cassia]

That's fantastic. Also, I am sure Putin doesn't want pics/vids of dead Russians getting back home.