Russia Invades Ukraine

[fightingirish26]

Except apparently Belarus, who is helping in all of this...

Putin may not be far away from claiming all of the historic Kievan Rus'. Doesn't feel like ukraine stands much of a chance, and Belarus might be on board.

 

[notredomer23]

Some stuff from the sports world...




Meanwhile Formula 1 has no spine.


But it sounds like they've already changed their tune because all the drivers have already said they won't.

 

[Irish du Nord]

Except apparently Belarus, who is helping in all of this...

To the surprise of no one. It’s been a puppet state since the fall of the USSR.

 

[Wild Bill]

Because Ukraine poses such a massive threat to the world compared to Russia...

Even if you use the thought about people wanting to join Russia, that doesn't give Russia the authority to start bombing non-separatist cities within the country.

Yes, I think most people would agree that Russia has the ability to impose their will on the world far more than Ukraine. Not sure how or why that would matter here, and I'm not suggesting Russia has the authority to bomb Ukraine.

 

[Irish du Nord]

I spent time in Ukraine one of my undergrad summers. Many of the people I lived and worked with lived through the first conflict in the Donbas, while many of the others were involved in the Maidans. It’s really heartbreaking to see this happen to their country. The legitimacy of the global order is on trial right now

 

[ab2cmiller]

 

[Ndaccountant]

Crimea is almost entirely Russian and overwhelmingly voted to join Russia. Donbass is slightly less than 50% Russian but the eastern portion is almost entirely Russian.

Ukraine is a corrupt failed state, far worse than Russia. The Russians in these regions prefer to be govnerned by Russian rather than Ukraine.

Let's assume the US government became more corrupt than Mexico and made it difficult on Americans of Mexican descent in southern California. Would you blame the people for prefering to be governed by Mexico? Would you blame Mexico for wanting to assist people of Mexican descent while simultaneously seizing the opportunity to govern a valuable piece of property?

Does it seem insane to you that a country 5000 miles away would threaten war with Mexico to make sure southern California is governed by America?

I hear ya, to some degree. But then there is this shit.

 

[chicago51]

It sucks NO good actors here IMO, just sucks for everyday people in Ukraine that try to go to work and raise a family.

Russia - Putin for all intents and purposes is an authoritarian dictator with power ambitions. Not a good man.

Ukraine - they've been pretty chummy with the west, and by some accounts say they want to aquire nuclear weapons. Plus there's a lot a lot question of how legit of a democracy they are as well.

USA - we seem to think we can so whatever the heck we want. How did US feel about Russia arming Cuba?? It's a fair question considering we've been arming Ukraine to the tune of billions. We may not be giving them nukes but how is Russia supposed to feel about powerful weapons massing on their back door?

Everyone sucks. I just pray God would grant some sort of mercy or reprieve to the good people in Ukraine and Russia who just want live in peace and raise a family.

 

[Wild Bill]

I hear ya, to some degree. But then there is this shit.

I'm really not a fan of war nor am I a Putin/Russian fanboy. This is just more complicated than Putin/Russia bad let's assassinate.

Like 51 stated above: "I just pray God would grant some sort of mercy or reprieve to the good people in Ukraine and Russia who just want live in peace and raise a family."

 

[RDU Irish]

But seriously, this is sadly the only viable option:


We’ve had 5+ years of Russia being a bad actor with no consequences poisoning people, arresting people, cyber attacks, invading other countries, etc. Need to start making there be a cost beyond “sanctions”… Putin doesn’t care if his people starve, same way Stalin didn’t.

Gonna be a lot easier to feed them with the Ukraine under his belt - one of the largest global grain exporters. Everyone focuses on GDP not being meaningful - well controlling energy and food to make sure your folks aren't cold and hungry is maybe a lesson learned? Then the benefit of Europe being neutered b/c of dependence on said food and energy.... enjoy your windmills and solar panels Gunter and Pierre.

 

[Rogue219]

Disappointed in the amount of Americans who dig Putin's vibe. Not surprised, but still disappointed. Not a lot subtlety either.

Hit the Russian oligarchs hard. Whatever can be done within the law, whether it's freezing assets or getting their children out of private schools abroad. Inconveniencing the lifestyles of the Russian wealthy is good non violent weaponry.

 

[RDU Irish]

I agree 100% with the real problem being China's greenlight on Taiwan. Groundwork to reduce dependency on these two countries should have been prioritized decades ago over chasing windmills and unicorn farts to try to control global warming/cooling/climate change or whatever. Really hard for Europe to impose sanctions on Russian energy when they rely on them for 50% of their overpriced nat gas and have been shutting down factories to prioritize heating their homes.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Its like we haven't learned a thing.

God help those poor bastards, theyre begging for our help and the wolves are marching towards Poland.

Nobody wants war... but this is only going to get worse the longer we don't step in with a unified front and stop this bullshit.

Its following nearly the exact. same. script.

Russia's economy is the size of Texas', and their military tech is hopelessly outdated compared to ours.

"It's 1939 all over again!" READ 👏 ANOTHER 👏 WAR

 

[chicago51]

Disappointed in the amount of Americans who dig Putin's vibe. Not surprised, but still disappointed. Not a lot subtlety either.

Hit the Russian oligarchs hard. Whatever can be done within the law, whether it's freezing assets or getting their children out of private schools abroad. Inconveniencing the lifestyles of the Russian wealthy is good non violent weaponry.

Personally I think Putin is a piece of crap, this invasion is wrong, and we should sanction the hell out of him.

At the same time I think the US and NATO have overreached in regards to it's post cold war millitary expansion.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Rogue219]

Putin has probably prepared for immediate sanctions. It will hurt him in the long run, but it is doubtful that's going to stop him just yet.

Hit them all hard regardless.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Russia's economy is the size of Texas', and their military tech is hopelessly outdated compared to ours.

"It's 1939 all over again!" READ 👏 ANOTHER 👏 WAR

Yeah I’m waiting for Putin to produce the shock and awe campaign that we come to expect when a full scale war starts. From the sounds of it Ukraine has already managed to shoot down several planes.

 

[GATTACA!]

It sucks NO good actors here IMO, just sucks for everyday people in Ukraine that try to go to work and raise a family.

Russia - Putin for all intents and purposes is an authoritarian dictator with power ambitions. Not a good man.

Ukraine - they've been pretty chummy with the west, and by some accounts say they want to aquire nuclear weapons. Plus there's a lot a lot question of how legit of a democracy they are as well.

USA - we seem to think we can so whatever the heck we want. How did US feel about Russia arming Cuba?? It's a fair question considering we've been arming Ukraine to the tune of billions. We may not be giving them nukes but how is Russia supposed to feel about powerful weapons massing on their back door?

Everyone sucks. I just pray God would grant some sort of mercy or reprieve to the good people in Ukraine and Russia who just want live in peace and raise a family.

Can’t really blame the USSR for arming Cuba with the US invasion looming………..

Talk about apples and oranges.

 

[GATTACA!]

What a hunk of trash. Is that what all the Russian military equipment looks like?

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

How bad would cutting them off from SWIFT be? I saw numerous people in Moscow hitting aATMS trying to exchange rubles for euros and dollars. Gotta think the devaluation of the ruble hurts the common people more than the oligarchs.

 

[Irish#1]

When have we ever assassinated the leader of a country and had it work out well? That never happens because the power vacuum inevitably leads to an even more corrupt leader.

Then we better send your mom to persuade him.

On a more serious note, whomever would take over can't be any worse than Putin. The man has no soul.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What a hunk of trash. Is that what all the Russian military equipment looks like?

Yes. Huge portions of the Russian military depend on legacy Soviet tech that is barely functional. There will be lots of embarrassing malfunctions for them in this little jaunt to roll over a tiny country on their literal doorstep. The idea that they're capable of effectively projecting force into Western Europe anymore is laughable.

 

[Irish#1]

Being reported that Russia is attempting to take control of the Chernobyl site. Place is still toxic. If they get control, wouldn't be surprised if Putin threatens to release radiation if anyone tries to stop Russia.

 

[IrishLion]

Being reported that Russia is attempting to take control of the Chernobyl site. Place is still toxic. If they get control, wouldn't be surprised if Putin threatens to release radiation if anyone tries to stop Russia.

It would make more sense for them to be moving through the exclusion zone as a form of cover, rather than try to take it... but Putin is Putin, so who knows.

 

[Rogue219]

His 2015 book "Winter is Coming" is fantastic.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Not our fight. I am not going over there to die for Brandon's fuck up's in diplomacy. Any tough guys in here want the fight go sign up, but leave me and my kids out of your fucking war. .

 

[StPaul_Irish]

What a hunk of trash. Is that what all the Russian military equipment looks like?

The KA-52 is actually pretty baller... Read up on it. Depending on what model that is, the oldest a KA-52 would be about 1996. No tail rotor and I think is the only chopper with an ejection system for the pilots. Different, maybe inferior to the AH-64 or AH-1Ws but not a hunk of junk.

Russia has some fighters that can rival/match the F-35 and F-22 as well.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Being reported that Russia is attempting to take control of the Chernobyl site. Place is still toxic. If they get control, wouldn't be surprised if Putin threatens to release radiation if anyone tries to stop Russia.

Other than opening up the coffin on Reactor #4 there isnt anything there they can use. They would have to blow up the coffin which is one eof the largest structures in the world. This might be the dumbest thing to do as the fallout would be uncontrollable.

Its also right next to Belarus which is helping Russia at the moment. Any radiation from the site heading west or north to Europe would pass right over Belarus. Dumb.

In any case there is literally no way Russia could direct the radiation to fallout over any specific location and it very well could spread to Russia if the winds blow in that direction.

If you mean they take dismantled irradiated components from the site and drop them elsewhere then maybe... still very risky to their own people but the moment that starts happening Id expect a very serious response from allied countries. Thats some terrorist level unacceptable shit.

ETA... Im seeing that the exclusion zone around the plant is literally the fastest land route to Kiyev so thats probably why.... not the facility itself.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Disappointed in the amount of Americans who dig Putin's vibe. Not surprised, but still disappointed. Not a lot subtlety either.

Hit the Russian oligarchs hard. Whatever can be done within the law, whether it's freezing assets or getting their children out of private schools abroad. Inconveniencing the lifestyles of the Russian wealthy is good non violent weaponry.

Don't care about Putin and hope we sanction him and Russia and move on. I was disappointed in the left the last 4 years when Trump would do anything they played politics, now it is turn about.

Personal I think we drop Hunter Biden and the Big man over there to fix it. Glad we have the adults back in power lol. Inflation, check, botched afgan mission check, country splitting apart,check..

 

[Irish du Nord]

It sucks NO good actors here IMO, just sucks for everyday people in Ukraine that try to go to work and raise a family.

Russia - Putin for all intents and purposes is an authoritarian dictator with power ambitions. Not a good man.

Ukraine - they've been pretty chummy with the west, and by some accounts say they want to aquire nuclear weapons. Plus there's a lot a lot question of how legit of a democracy they are as well.

USA - we seem to think we can so whatever the heck we want. How did US feel about Russia arming Cuba?? It's a fair question considering we've been arming Ukraine to the tune of billions. We may not be giving them nukes but how is Russia supposed to feel about powerful weapons massing on their back door?

Everyone sucks. I just pray God would grant some sort of mercy or reprieve to the good people in Ukraine and Russia who just want live in peace and raise a family.

Please explain whatever issue you have with Ukraine being chummy with whoever they damn well please. It’s a sovereign country. I don’t blame the government one bit for distancing themselves from Russia, seeing as Russia has been the biggest loose cannon in the region for a while now (and also, you know, committed genocide in Ukraine during the rise of Stalin).

US arming of Ukraine has been a response to Russian interference with their sovereignty. Has there been some risk of an attack on Russian soil from Ukraine that I don’t know about?