Russia's War Against Ukraine

[Uberhaus]

If I am understanding all of the above correctly, we'll all be saved by Anonymous, Turkey and the ghost of Powers Booth? Damn.

Youse pays youse money and takes youse chances.

[Pete Dero]

Maybe the reason why Putin calls this a military special operation and not a war :

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/28/vladimir-putin-declares-all-russian-military-deaths-state-secrets
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32913929

The Russian president has amended a decree (in 2015) to extend the list of state secrets to include information on casualties during special operations when war has not been declared.

[JasonPratt]

What a great idea. Time for some port.

Putin: "....I don't get it."

Solops: "THAT'S RIGHT!"  :D


(I'm being optimistic for humor and morale sake, but at least Putin didn't just overrun the ports despite his amphib ops.)

[ComradeP]

Talking about food: Russia and Ukraine are the world's #1 and #5 grain exporting countries and Ukraine. Ukraine is also the world's #4 corn exporting country.

Particularly along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean, the population of countries like Egypt and Lebanon could face challenging times if deliveries are halted. In Egypt, bread is heavily subsidized by the government, which makes an increase in (already fairly high) grain import costs a problem both for the population and El-Sisi's government

[steve58]

Ukrainian forces destroy convoy of 56 Chechen tanks, kill general near Kyiv

[Jarhead0331]

FYI, I changed the name of the thread as we have clearly moved beyond a buildup.

Some of the footage out there is amazing. The determination and courage on display by Ukrainian soldiers and citizens is positively inspiring.

[al_infierno]

Apparently that Chechen General who was killed was the most loyal crony of the Chechen president (himself a loyal Putin crony), and was infamous for being Putin's personal anti-LGBT bloodhound.  Ukraine did the world a huge favor killing that asshole.

[Gusington]

^Nice. Hopefully more favors are in the offing.

^And to JH's point, there's a TikTok of a Ukrainian civilian carrying a Russian mine off a road to a safer spot while smoking a Marlboro that's been circulating.

[al_infierno]

^ Lol, that video had some real strong "Just another day on the job" energy.  What an amazingly chill and casual display of sheer courage.

[steve58]

^Had to go find that video.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10557399/Symbol-Ukraines-toughness-Man-disposes-anti-tank-smoking-CIGARETTE.html

[Uberhaus]

Hopefully, there will be a change in venue for the meeting in fairness to Ukraine.  https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-698778 

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett offered Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine during a phone call between the two leaders on Sunday.

Bennett said that he is willing to negotiate between Russia and Ukraine and that "Israel is willing to help if it is asked and at any time to settle the cross and bring the sides together," a diplomatic source said.
...

Zelensky has asked Israel several times to mediate with Russia, including in his conversation with Bennett on Friday.

Putin responded that he is willing to hold talks with Ukraine in Belarus, Russian news agency RIA reported.

[Gusington]

That guy with the mine became an instant hero/celebrity.

[Sir Slash]

I think I'd need something stronger than a Marlborough for that kind of work.  :o 

[SirAndrewD]

I just saw an interview with the former CO of the 1st Armored, Gen. Mart Hertling analyzing footage of rows of Russian APC's destroyed in place on the roads of north Kyiv.   The vehicles were  mostly taken out by light anti-tank weapons from the rear, destroyed in marching column.

His take at the end was that this was that the Russian Generals "Were incompetent in the way that they planned this invasion". 

It's really starting to look like the Russians really just planned to roll in and start occupying without any real fight.  They are not operating like an army prepared to take contested ground by force.

[Gusington]

^I agree. It's as if the Russians did not know Ukrainian national character, even after coexisting with them literally 'next door' for 1000+ years, never mind the past 8 years.