[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)

[Eric the meek]

Some are certainly coordinated, others less likely, so a mix I think.
There have been reports of very small groups of Ukrainian saboteurs crossing rural borders into Russia, executing the task (not far into Russia), then straight back.

Sounds reasonable.

Cross-border Ukrainian activities (into Russian and occupied territories) seem to be focusing on infrastructure. Oil storage facilities at Sevastopol, Taman, train derailments etc. It makes perfect sense.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Sounds reasonable.

Cross-border Ukrainian activities (into Russian and occupied territories) seem to be focusing on infrastructure. Oil storage facilities at Sevastopol, Taman, train derailments etc. It makes perfect sense.

And so does the timing. Before your assault, you want to hit enemy logistics hard. You want to make sure they can't move their people quickly to reinforce their lines, that they can't fuel their tanks. We'll see lots more of this in the coming days

 

[GT49er]

Sounds reasonable.

Cross-border Ukrainian activities (into Russian and occupied territories) seem to be focusing on infrastructure. Oil storage facilities at Sevastopol, Taman, train derailments etc. It makes perfect sense.

Would make even more sense, perhaps, if they sabotaged electricity and other utility installations - bringing home a bit of hardship to Russian citizens who might not feel so benevolent towards Putin's war if they're left in the cold and dark, and without running water.

 

[Eric the meek]

Would make even more sense, perhaps, if they sabotaged electricity and other utility installations - bringing home a bit of hardship to Russian citizens who might not feel so benevolent towards Putin's war if they're left in the cold and dark, and without running water.

I wouldn't rule that out, but as @Nobby Cybergoat indicates, efforts should be focused on stopping/slowing down Russian supply lines so that it is more difficult for them to move troops, arms, trucks, fuel to wherever it is that Ukraine will mount its offensive. This will have a more immediate effect in that it will reduce Russian resistance and therefore save Ukrainian lives.

 

[raymondo]

No doubt many 'small' successes happening weekly, on the quiet. Here, two Russian cargo planes put out of action by drones recently .

 

[CHAPPERS]

Yevgeny Prigozhin: Wagner Group boss says he will pull troops out of Bakhmut

His statement came after he posted a video among dead fighters, asking Russia for more ammunition.

www.bbc.co.uk

The leader of Russia's Wagner Group has threatened to withdraw his troops from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by Wednesday, in a row over ammunition.
His statement came after he posted a gruesome video of him walking among dead fighters' bodies, asking defence officials for more supplies.
Russia has been trying to capture the city for months, despite its questionable strategic value.
Yevgeny Prigozhin pinned his decision squarely on the defence ministry.
"Shoigu! Gerasimov! Where is the... ammunition?... They came here as volunteers and die for you to fatten yourselves in your mahogany offices."

 

[Surport Local Team]

Looks like a lot of infighting between Wagner leader and Moscow. Hopefully the start of a implode!

 

[A1X]

If anyone’s not going to be worried about going after and taking out Putin it’s those Wagner c**ts, hopefully they’ll try it.

 

[sparkie]

Fingers crossed that PooTin is about to get an absolute pasting in the next few weeks.



Nice bridge they've got at Kerch. Nice Palace in Sochi as well. It'd be a shame if anything happened to them on Tuesday 9th, Victory Day.

 

[Eric the meek]

Multiple blasts in Crimea, beloved by Russia:

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 438 of the invasion

Blasts reported in Crimea early on Sunday; Russian investigators claim suspect admits acting for Kyiv after Russian nationalist writer wounded in car bombing

www.theguardian.com

Just in time for Russia's Victory Day on Tuesday?

 

[Triggaaar]

Looks like a lot of infighting between Wagner leader and Moscow. Hopefully the start of a implode!

There are reports that Prigozhin is withdrawing his troops from the war for now, back to Russia.

 

[Eric the meek]

There are reports that Prigozhin is withdrawing his troops from the war for now, back to Russia.

Analysts are rightly asking questions about those reports.

Is it a bluff? Is it an attempt to deflect blame for his failure to take Bakhmut, and blame it on lack of ammo? Why would he announce a withdrawal several days in advance? Could the Russian military replace his troops at short notice?

Who knows where the truth lies. I would counsel remaining vigilant against all manner of smoke and mirrors as Russia continues to weaken.

 

[Triggaaar]

Analysts are rightly asking questions about those reports.

Is it a bluff? Is it an attempt to deflect blame for his failure to take Bakhmut, and blame it on lack of ammo? Why would he announce a withdrawal several days in advance? Could the Russian military replace his troops at short notice?

Who knows where the truth lies.

Indeed who knows.

I would counsel remaining vigilant against all manner of smoke and mirrors as Russia continues to weaken.

I'm sure it goes without saying that the AFU will act on what they see happening, and their intelligence, rather than Russian social media reports.

 

[Eric the meek]

I'm sure it goes without saying that the AFU will act on what they see happening, and their intelligence, rather than Russian social media reports.

I certainly hope so.

The latest development is that he says Moscow has agreed to his demands for more ammunition.

'While Prigozhin didn't expressly reverse his pledge to withdraw troops from Bakhmut, he said his forces had been given permission to "act in Bakhmut as we see fit" - appearing to suggest they will remain.'

'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65516633'

 

[heathgate]

As long as NATO wants to build military bases on Russias neighbouring countries, Russia will try to control those neighbouring countries.

Quite normal. I'm willing to bet the UK would do similar if Ireland and Russia one day suddenly became best friends and Russia wanted to put a big fat military base with nukes and stuff in Dublin.

So applying your warped logic.... Putin will be firing into the Baltic states and Finland... and maybe even Turkey anytime soon..... your wholly disingenuous Irish analogy, holds zero water.... as usual with your bizarre ravings.

 

[beorhthelm]

Analysts are rightly asking questions about those reports.

Is it a bluff? Is it an attempt to deflect blame for his failure to take Bakhmut, and blame it on lack of ammo? Why would he announce a withdrawal several days in advance? Could the Russian military replace his troops at short notice?

Who knows where the truth lies. I would counsel remaining vigilant against all manner of smoke and mirrors as Russia continues to weaken.

the whole Bakhmut saga has been a utter waste, no strategic value. keep up some story of ongoing offensive during the winter, not supposed to do anything much. the Russian military cant like having this private army knocking about, now they've been discredited and diminished, and Prigozhin realising he's been played.

 

[Eric the meek]

the whole Bakhmut saga has been a utter waste, no strategic value. keep up some story of ongoing offensive during the winter, not supposed to do anything much. the Russian military cant like having this private army knocking about, now they've been discredited and diminished, and Prigozhin realising he's been played.

I read recently that the US estimate that Russia has lost 20,000 troops in Bakhmut. And for what? It's obscene.

 

[raymondo]

It's apparently an apartment/ office construction site on fire. Just as likely to be unsafe working practices as partisan activity...but just nice to see all the same.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

It's apparently an apartment/ office construction site on fire. Just as likely to be unsafe working practices as partisan activity...but just nice to see all the same.

Most of the vast number of fires in Russia are insurance jobs. If you can't make money because of sanctions, you can at least burn down your building

 

[dangull]

Apparently, Ukraine will be launching a spring offensive soon. I still find it hard to believe that a former small nation of the former Soviet Union can possibly win a war against a recent super power that it was part off.
The USA and NATO with the arms supply is an obvious reason, and the brave people of Ukraine.