[Tsundoku]

Some good news:

https://www.news.com...c42a3786f12f628

Russian warship Moskva explodes on Ukraine coast after missiles fired

(apparently it was the Snake Island warship).

And some very bad news:

https://www.news.com...47f5fd1a6df6219

Russia airs chilling footage after claiming over 1000 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered in Mariupol

Do you think we will ever see them or the tens of thousands of civilians taken hostage and shipped off to Russia ever again?

[Mentalist]

Tsundoku, on 14 April 2022 - 03:34 AM, said:

Some good news:

https://www.news.com...c42a3786f12f628

Russian warship Moskva explodes on Ukraine coast after missiles fired

(apparently it was the Snake Island warship).

And some very bad news:

https://www.news.com...47f5fd1a6df6219

Russia airs chilling footage after claiming over 1000 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered in Mariupol

Do you think we will ever see them or the tens of thousands of civilians taken hostage and shipped off to Russia ever again?

Apparently, way less than 1k

Marines were trying to relocate towards Azov's positions
One group made it, another got surrounded. Less than 1k, maybe a battalion.

Also, Kherson Airport got hit for the 15the time. Really bad night for the Ruscists. And yesterday Ukrainian Military Intelligence shared that since mid-March some 70 occupiers doing nightly patrols in Melitopol turned up dead (saw a post that today it was up to 74), so resistance movement is picking up.

With all the new shiny toys the UAF's been getting, I'm beginning to believe in the southward push.

Re: civilians: Russia will try to keep them hostage, but we'll fight to find everyone.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 14 April 2022 - 05:17 AM

[Malankazooie]

The interview where the guy described Ukraine's use of drones decked out to look future, Terminator menacing, resulting in scaring Russian soldiers to retreat back to reveal base and troop locations has to be one of the most awesome things to come out in these two months of war.

[Cause]

Tsundoku, on 14 April 2022 - 03:34 AM, said:

Some good news:

https://www.news.com...c42a3786f12f628

Russian warship Moskva explodes on Ukraine coast after missiles fired

(apparently it was the Snake Island warship).

And some very bad news:

https://www.news.com...47f5fd1a6df6219

Russia airs chilling footage after claiming over 1000 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered in Mariupol

Do you think we will ever see them or the tens of thousands of civilians taken hostage and shipped off to Russia ever again?

Missed opportunity to have posted a photo with ‘Russian warship, go fuck yourself’ painted on the side of the cruise missile.

[Mentalist]

RIA, TASS: MoD confirms Moskva sank in a storm while being towed to port.

750 million current valuation.

Would cost a coupla billion to build a new one, but UA ain't building them a new one,

still unclear how many crew survived.

Russia is in mourning,

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 15 April 2022 - 01:09 AM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Putin, obsessed with past Russian glories, real and imagined, may have his eye on May 9, the major Russian national holiday that marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany [...] he may hope to have [...] visible success in the war to show Russians. [...]

[...] Mariupol may soon fall [... Russian] troops could advance elsewhere in Ukraine's East sufficiently beyond [...] when the current phase of Putin's war began, to allow a claim of "success," [...] for example, [...] the "liberation" of the Donbas region [...]

[...] Putin might reasonably hope that some in Europe and the United States would urge the Ukrainians to accept a ceasefire to stop the killing. Putin might be able to accept either a simple ceasefire or a negotiated settlement based on the existing lines of contact. [...] he would have gained territory, putting himself into a position to manipulate a frozen conflict from a more advantageous position, most likely while he prepares for a new offensive against the rest of Ukraine in the mid-term.

[...] the West's play is to help the Ukrainians prevail on the battlefield and prevent the Russian army from seizing and holding significant amounts of additional Ukrainian territory. The West also must increase the pressure on Russia now, before May 9, to deny Putin a path to victory.

[...] ramp up delivery of weapons to Ukraine, without dithering over "offensive" vs. "defensive" weapons, "destabilizing" weapons, supposed Russian "escalation dominance," or patronizing characterizations of the impracticality of training Ukrainian soldiers to use complex U.S. weapons systems. I heard all those arguments during the Obama administration as it decided not to send any weapons to Ukraine at all[...] the Biden administration seems to have moved passed the introspective agonizing stage[... and] crossed a line of commitment.

[...] Going after Russian oil export revenues may be easier [than natural gas] because supplies are more flexible. [...]

[...] German energy officials are weighing the possibility of high tariffs on Russian oil, the effect of which would be to lower Russian income from such sales even if they continued. Russia could of course try to sell its oil to alternative purchasers, probably at a discount, but the United States could squeeze such sales by threatening to sanction third-country purchasers of Russian oil, waivable if there were significant reductions in those purchases. (This was the policy the United States used to cut Iran's oil sales, and it worked.)

The public debate about energy sanctions has focused on immediate embargos on Russian oil and gas exports. That's not the right standard[...] The West's objective should be to do as much as it can, as swiftly as it can. Announcing these or other sanctions that eat into Russian cash inflows before May 9 could frustrate Putin's plans for a victory by May 9 and keep the pressure on him to end his war on terms better for Ukraine.'

How the U.S. can preempt Putin's next move in Ukraine. (slate.com)

[Tsundoku]

Uh-oh. Something I hadn't ever considered - there aren't enough man-portable missiles being produced. Possibly the most effective part of the Ukrainian arsenal and noone has enough.
Never would have thought the US wouldn't have enough of something. Especially something so effective.

https://www.news.com...5def32940a34088

Ukraine shooting missiles faster than US can build them

This post has been edited by Tsundoku: 16 April 2022 - 02:02 PM

[Cause]

Tsundoku, on 16 April 2022 - 02:02 PM, said:

Uh-oh. Something I hadn't ever considered - there aren't enough man-portable missiles being produced. Possibly the most effective part of the Ukrainian arsenal and noone has enough.
Never would have thought the US wouldn't have enough of something. Especially something so effective.

https://www.news.com...5def32940a34088

Ukraine shooting missiles faster than US can build them

I don’t know for certain but I suspect that such an alanlysis is overly pessimistic for Ukraine and overly optimistic for Russia.

Russia has clearly struggled with logistics this whole war. The idea that they can just call up extra armor from storage to replace losses and keep going seems unlikely. If the actual armor being used was badly maintained how poor is the maintenance on the stuff not in use? How out of date are their targeting systems etc. who will drive them.

It is interesting though that with the modern emphasis of rapid maneuver and swift victory no one thought to ask what if a war lays six months. I suppose America has tanks of its own, fighter planes, attack helicopters, javelins and everything else so it didn’t need to overly rely on one weapon system.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Cause, on 17 April 2022 - 01:31 PM, said:

Tsundoku, on 16 April 2022 - 02:02 PM, said:

Uh-oh. Something I hadn't ever considered - there aren't enough man-portable missiles being produced. Possibly the most effective part of the Ukrainian arsenal and noone has enough.
Never would have thought the US wouldn't have enough of something. Especially something so effective.

https://www.news.com...5def32940a34088

Ukraine shooting missiles faster than US can build them

I don't know for certain but I suspect that such an alanlysis is overly pessimistic for Ukraine and overly optimistic for Russia.

Russia has clearly struggled with logistics this whole war. The idea that they can just call up extra armor from storage to replace losses and keep going seems unlikely. If the actual armor being used was badly maintained how poor is the maintenance on the stuff not in use? How out of date are their targeting systems etc. who will drive them.

It is interesting though that with the modern emphasis of rapid maneuver and swift victory no one thought to ask what if a war lays six months. I suppose America has tanks of its own, fighter planes, attack helicopters, javelins and everything else so it didn't need to overly rely on one weapon system.

US mainland or islands aren't at much risk of tanks rolling in (... doubt Russia will seize the opportunity to try to roll tanks into Alaska...). Unless Canada or Mexico finally decide to invade.... Though in all seriousness IDK about military bases. Would Islamist terrorists be attacking them with tanks?...

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 17 April 2022 - 10:34 PM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Russian Propaganda Turns to Lord of the Rings to Stir Ukraine Hatred

[...] Since the assertion that the Ukrainian government is a "Nazi regime" doesn't hold water, the Kremlin's mouthpieces are portraying Moscow's invading hordes as modern-day crusaders and their opponents as demons and satanists.

[...] "I've thought a lot about the ongoing situation with Ukraine, in terms of what modern Ukraine represents for the West. It took me a long time to find the right word, but I think I finally found it. It's "Gollum." Ukraine is Gollum."

[...] state TV's pundits and hosts have taken to describing Ukrainians as "the unclean"—the same word reserved for imps, demons and witches in Russian fairy tales.

[...] "In the modern world, we are the embodiment of the forces of good. This is a metaphysical clash between the forces of good and evil... We're on the side of good against absolute evil, represented by the Ukrainian nationalist battalions... and the American temple of Satan, located in Salem, expressed its support for Ukraine. This is truly a holy war, a holy war we're waging and we must win."

[...] "the Ukrainian God is the devil." [...] "Ukraine is being cut as a pig at a sacrificial pagan altar." [... "]political scientist[" Kremlin hack ...] described the blame being placed on Russia for its massacres in Ukraine as "satanism."

[...] state media propagandists and lawmakers are calling on the Russians to forsake their personal needs in favor of Moscow's crusade. [...] the importance of choosing morality over prosperity. This approach was conveniently timed to lessen the frustrations caused by Western sanctions[...]

[...] "What is more important: a prosperous life, when everything is simple, or when you're heading into the unknown? But you believe, and your faith creates miracles."

[...] "Today's world is very dangerous for us, but it's also dangerous for Americans, for the Chinese, for the Europeans, for the Polish and, first and foremost, for the Baltics. Let them remember that denazification is a long, endless process and will very likely not end with Ukraine."'

Russian Propaganda Turns to Lord of the Rings to Stir Ukraine Hatred (thedailybeast.com)

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Ukrainian commander requests international evacuation effort at Mariupol plant as situation is "critical"

[...] "I have a statement to the world," [...] "It may be my last statement, because we have only a few days, or even hours, left. We appeal to world leaders to apply the extraction procedure to the military of the Mariupol garrison, to the civilians who are with us here at the plant. We ask you to take us to the territory of a third country and provide us with security."

[...] "hundreds of civilians" [...]

[...] '"We are completely surrounded," [...] "[...] very difficult to provide [...] medical care. They literally rot. [... the Russians] use heavy aircraft bombs against us and strike with artillery."'

(6) Ukrainian commander requests international evacuation effort at Mariupol plant as situation is "critical" (cnn.com)


'Despair in Mariupol's last stronghold: "They're bombing us with everything"

[...] "Our only plan is for the blockade to be broken by our forces so that we can get out of here."

[...]

The holdouts in the underground fortress represent the last stand of a strategic city that has endured a relentless siege by Russian forces. The remaining defenders' ordeal has captured global attention as they have held off the enemy for weeks, in what has been likened to a Ukrainian Alamo.

With ammunition and supplies sparse, the men who were interviewed said they were carrying on the fight and refusing to acquiesce to the Kremlin's demand's for capitulation. But they acknowledged that they were running out of time and increasingly found it difficult to leave the protection of their shelter because of the heavy bombing.

[...]

The Azovstal plant where the men are likely sheltered makes for a formidable fortress, an immense industrial complex of thick concrete and walls, steel doors and reinforced underground warrens.

[...] the steel factory was designed to withstand a nuclear war.

"It is basically a city under a city," [...] Russian campaign to seize the plant had been significantly hampered by the sophisticated network of passages, rooms and communication systems connecting the basement levels of the plant.

[...] "I assume the Russians are going to throw everything they have at this, to eliminate this pocket," but he added that doing so could cost them dearly. "You'd be surprised at how well people can survive big bombs in a facility like that," [...]

"Ever since the first invasion, we've kept the bunkers in good order and supplied with food and water," [...] the shelters can house up to 4,000 people and are stocked with enough food and water to last three weeks.

[...] network of underground passages and rooms, which is now pivotal to the survival of the holed-up soldiers and civilians[...]

[...] Ukraine's intelligence service wrote [...] Russians were preparing to use three-ton bombs on the plant in an effort to raze it completely. [...]

[...] If Russia succeeds in flattening the complex's buildings, it is not clear how many people hunkered underground might survive. Eventually, though, they would run out of provisions, and the Ukrainians have warned repeatedly that the Russians might use chemical weapons to force them out or kill them.

[...] Ukrainian Army had arranged two operations over the past two weeks to take food to the plant; he did not say how that was accomplished. But the situation will probably grow more dire[...] as Russian troops have blocked anyone, including civilians, from entering or leaving the city.'

Ukraine-Russia War Live News and Latest Updates - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 20 April 2022 - 12:38 AM

[Mentalist]

One day later, they did a raid with armor to the Port District to rescue the 500-odd Police and Border Guards who were starting to run out of ammo, and brought them to Azovstal as well

Mariupol could probably hold for another several months, no problem--if it wasn't for all the thousands of civilians the Ruscists won't let out of the city.

Edit: and now Putler is declaring that Mariupol is "captured", and the remaining defenders (some 2000 of them) will be "contained" in their stronghold.
Since y'know, they need those assault troops on the other frontlines to make a difference in the "big battle for Donbas"
This just means that there's gonna be loads more dead Ruscists in Mariupol, because that garrison won't just sit tight and let themselves be starved out.

This post has been edited by Mentalist: 21 April 2022 - 10:50 PM

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'“If you put together the far left and right, two-thirds of French voters support an anti-liberal, pro-Putin candidate,” the author and journalist Marc Weitzmann told me. “Given what’s at stake today in Europe, if Macron loses, Putin wins.” This is a dark turn of events indeed, at the very moment France finds itself the de facto head of the European Union'

‘If Macron Loses, Putin Wins.’ - The Atlantic

Preliminary results should be announced around 8 PM CET (2 PM ET).

[Mentalist]

All good, Le Pen conceded defeat.

also, apparently, a Slovenian populist PM got voted out.

And a refinery on the Druzhba pipeline in Bryansk (THE oil pipeline from Russia to Europe)
is on fire. And so is the fuel storage on the nearby military base.

[Cause]

Didn’t I read that two oil oligarchs were also killed. Doesn’t seem like a coincidence

[Mentalist]

Cause, on 25 April 2022 - 05:06 PM, said:

Didn’t I read that two oil oligarchs were also killed. Doesn’t seem like a coincidence

4 ex oil & gas corp top managers. Murder-suicides (involving their wives and kids), diff locations (some in Russia, some abroad- think I saw Spain mentioned?)

Loads of cleaning house going on behind the scenes.

Lavrov now saying US facilitating UAF getting helicopters is making this a "proxy war"
And also might bring upon WW3 and nuclear apocalypse.

Like they have no choice but to keep attacking Ukraine for the audacious crime of "not instantly surrendering". And everyone that's encouraging it to keep fighting is more guilty of the ongoing aggression than the ones performing the actual aggression.

They really are a rare bunch of Grade A morons.

[Briar King]

Grade A morons with nukes in a pact with other morons with nukes who I expect will push grand pappy Joe’s administration also.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Critics shred "Russian stooge" Rand Paul after he suggests that Russia has the right to invade its neighbors

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is under fire for remarks [...] during a Senate hearing with Secretary of State [...] Blinken that are being called "propaganda" for [...] Putin.

[...]

"If you look at the countries that Russia has attacked," Blinken reminded Paul, "over the last years: Georgia…Moldova, and then repeatedly in Ukraine, these are countries that were not part of NATO. It has not attacked NATO countries for probably very good reasons."

Paul defiant and argumentative, retorted in a jaw-dropping statement, "You could also argue that the countries they've attacked were part of Russia."

[...]


"Peter Strzok
@petestrzok

Coming soon to Russian State media, Comrade Senator Paul.

That Aug 2018 trip to Moscow to give Putin a letter from Trump and Deripaska's investments in KY paid off well.

Funny how he's also led the charge to scale back USIC authorities which could be used against Russia."

[...]


"Lon Elliott
@LonElliott

Wait, is Rand Paul's argument that since these countries used to be part of Russia, then they are allowed to kill them indiscriminately because, well, they own them?

If so, Britain would like a word."'

Critics shred 'Russian stooge' Rand Paul after he suggests that Russia has the right to invade its neighbors - Alternet.org

[Mentalist]

I'm sure he'll be the first there to welcome Russia when it comes to "reclaim' Alaska

[QuickTidal]

Mentalist, on 27 April 2022 - 02:35 AM, said:

I'm sure he'll be the first there to welcome Russia when it comes to "reclaim' Alaska

This.

This MFer would be first in line to screech about anyone daring to invade any part of the USA.

What a hypocrite.