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

[Triggaaar]

True, but a great shame as the Black Sea provides a similar opportunity. Whilst a blockade seem out of the question we should surely make it more difficult for Russian ships to carry out their alleged sabotage activities - get on the front foot and harass them. let them know we know what they are doing. I’m sure “the west” tells Putin that through the usual diplomatic channels but let’s see some action otherwise he’ll see it as just words and another weakness to continue to exploit. I appreciate it’s sometimes difficult to draw a line between defensive and offensive activities, and whilst I’m no warmonger maybe it’s time to gently up the ante and be a bit more Captain Mainwaring and less Seargent Wilson.

Sink them, and then apologise for the accident. Do it again and again and again until they're all sunk.

 

[raymondo]

As the Baltic Sea now comprises only NATO members (Russia excepted) can’t we put further pressure on Russia by blockading / restricting access to their ports and restricting the movement of their ships? Might break international law - but that’s what Putin does.

I would think that escorting (by Finnish, Estonian navy) all vessels safely across the cable sites (ensuring no accidental dropping of anchors etc) would be reasonable given recent events

 

[papachris]

Some updates regarding the damaged Estlink cable.

Oil tanker seized by Finland 'was loaded with spying equipment'

The Russia-linked Eagle S oil tanker detained by Finland this week after damaging the EstLink 2 undersea cable was "loaded with spying equipment", shipping news publication Lloyd's List reported.

news.err.ee

Paper: Finnish authorities prevented damage to Estlink 1, Balticconnector

The Finnish government moved to detain the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S suspected of damaging EstLink 2 when it seemed clear it could continue to damage undersea infrastructure, Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported on Saturday.

news.err.ee

 

[Sirnormangall]

Putin apologises for 'tragic incident'.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/putin-apologises-aliyev-over-tragic-incident-with-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-2024-12-28/

I read that he offered his deep and sincerest condolences to the families of the bereaved. Innocent citizens - just like those in Ukraine who’ve yet to be offered similar. Of course Putin’s sincere gesture to Azerbaijan has nothing to do with the need to keep the lid on yet another potential issue on his doorstep and desperation to keep them in his sphere of influence.

And who’d have have guessed that according to Putin there were Ukrainian drones in the area at that time? Not sure why Ukraine would want to stir up trouble in Chechnya as they seem more than capable of continuing to be a thorn in Putin’s side without external help. But if Ukraine has a lot of surplus drones then I suppose it would be logical to use them in areas that would continue to stretch Putin.

 

[Sirnormangall]

Some updates regarding the damaged Estlink cable.

Oil tanker seized by Finland 'was loaded with spying equipment'

The Russia-linked Eagle S oil tanker detained by Finland this week after damaging the EstLink 2 undersea cable was "loaded with spying equipment", shipping news publication Lloyd's List reported.

news.err.ee

Paper: Finnish authorities prevented damage to Estlink 1, Balticconnector

The Finnish government moved to detain the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S suspected of damaging EstLink 2 when it seemed clear it could continue to damage undersea infrastructure, Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported on Saturday.

news.err.ee

Well done Finland

 

[Triggaaar]

I read that he offered his deep and sincerest condolences to the families of the bereaved. Innocent citizens - just like those in Ukraine who’ve yet to be offered similar. Of course Putin’s sincere gesture to Azerbaijan has nothing to do with the need to keep the lid on yet another potential issue on his doorstep and desperation to keep them in his sphere of influence.

I wonder how the conversation went:
So sorry about shooting your plane down. Really cut up about it.
Well yeah, WTF. But then once you'd shot it, why didn't you let it land?
Er... as a sign of solidarity with the Azerbaijani people, we've bought you a new villa.

 

[Eric the meek]

Russia's secret* drone factory in Yelabuga, 1800 km from Eastern Ukraine:

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/27/europe/russia-ukraine-war-drones-alabuga-factory-intl-invs/index.html

But the good news is Ukrainian drones can reach it !

Ukrainian drones can hit targets 2,000 km away, military intelligence claims

"From what we can tell — it's no longer a secret — Ukrainian long-range unmanned aerial vehicles can hypothetically operate up to 2,000 kilometers," military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said.

kyivindependent.com

 

[SeagullinExile]

Is repeatedly destroying underwater cables not an act of war?

Possibly. But I think it would take a ground incursion or missile attack into NATO territory before any retaliation by NATO tbh.

 

[Eric the meek]

I like this Youtuber. Look beyond the Father Christmas beard and listen to him.

'Putin's belligerence has done more to isolate Russia than western policymakers ever could'.

 

[Binney on acid]

I understand now. If those naughty Ukrainians hadn't flown drones in the vicinity, the Russian federation wouldn't have mistakenly shot down a civilian airliner. It's all Ukraine's fault !

 

[Eric the meek]

I understand now. If those naughty Ukrainians hadn't flown drones in the vicinity, the Russian federation wouldn't have mistakenly shot down a civilian airliner. It's all Ukraine's fault !

Exactly.

Here's Prof. Tim Wilson again, here detailing the five points why it wasn't the fault of Ukrainian drones, but the responsibility of Russia. This is key.

 

[Eric the meek]

It will shortly be kicking off. This is also reported by Prof. Tim Wilson watching Turkish TV, but this is from Azerbaijan itself.

The plane was shot down on Dec 25. The medal was awarded on Dec 26.

Kadyrov awards his nephew for downing Ukrainian drones

Chechen

en.axar.az