The Russian Invasion of the Ukraine.

[jimbob]

Ah right. Never heard that before.

I had come across it in the last couple of years, where context had made it clear what it was, but only today did someone point out the origin.

As an aside, Dad visited Czechoslovakia in 1985 as an official exchange - ministries of agriculture. He said that it was clear the Russian troops were hated. And even in the constraints of the regime it was clear the feelings of the people.

 

[grunion]

Finally the world rises up.

Eurovision bars Russia from this year’s song contest.
The Eurovision Song Contest, a cultural phenomenon that was the springboard for Abba and Celine Dion and is watched annually by 200 million people, has decided that no Russian act will be allowed to participate in this year’s contest.

In making the announcement on Friday, the organizers alluded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing fears that Russia’s inclusion in the contest would damage the reputation of the world’s largest music competition, a showcase meant to promote European unity and cultural exchange.

 

[Hercules56]

I think if Putin were ever captured by the west, he would now face war crime charges.

Interpol needs to issue a warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin for war crimes.

If NATO does not act soon Ukraine will fall and we will wonder why we did not do more sooner

 

[grunion]

Indeed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tankie

Ah right. Never heard that before.

I'd heard it tossed around by local DSOC members (particularly Soviet emigrees.) Seems to apply to the Putin defenders/apologists around here. Seriously weak sauce.

 

[angrysoba]

I am amazed at the bravery of the Ukrainians. They are putting the lie to Putin’s ******** about them not being a real country.

I am disgusted by every variety of Putin apologetics as has been seen here and also by professional douchebags, Tucker Carlson (who said he supports Russia!), Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi and Tulsi Gabbard. All disgusting pieces of excrement.

 

[Vixen]

Finally the world rises up.

That was thanks to YLE, a Finnish broadcaster, who said Finland would not compete in Eurovision if Russia was there. This was after that Russian Foreign Minister made her ugly threat to Finland and Sweden.

 

[grunion]

I had come across it in the last couple of years, where context had made it clear what it was, but only today did someone point out the origin.

As an aside, Dad visited Czechoslovakia in 1985 as an official exchange - ministries of agriculture. He said that it was clear the Russian troops were hated. And even in the constraints of the regime it was clear the feelings of the people.

I visited Yugoslavia back in Tito days, everyone wanted to practice their English and know everything about the USA.

 

[Michel H]

It seems reckless to me for the Ukrainians to tell ordinary people to throw Molotov cocktails and take an AK rifle if they have had no military training. It is a measure of Ukraine's desperation that they have been handing out 18,000 (IIRC) rifles to anyone who wants to have a bash at resistance.

I agree, I find this strange too. They seem to want to emphasize heroism, rather than efficiency, which doesn't seem good to me.

In view of their difficult situation, facing a powerful invading enemy, they should, it seems to me, quickly move their best and most professional troops from Donbass to the capital Kyiv, and perhaps the U.S. and U.K. should send some of their best generals to serve as military advisors, who should explain how to make the best use of West-supplied technologically advanced weapons, and look after the strategy.

This is the kind of things that Boris Johnson could perhaps explain to president Volodymyr Zelensky when he has his colleague on the phone. It might also not be good for Zelensky to stay too long in Kyiv: he might be captured, and this might not be good for the morale of troops.

 

[carlitos]

"Tankie" was new to me too.

 

[Arcade22]

Hold up! Soon the Russians will have no chance of victory!

The 5,000 helmets Germany offered to Ukraine are finally on their way as the country faces Russian attacks from 3 sides.

Over a month after Germany's secretary of defense promised the equipment, two trucks are bound for a handoff just outside Ukraine, according to German media company Der Spiegel.

German officials had previously refused to send weapons or "lethal aid" to Ukraine, despite the build-up of Russian forces, and only offered the helmets after being criticized by Ukrainian leaders who said the move was a "betrayal of friends."

https://www.businessinsider.com/hel...e-en-route-days-after-russian-invasion-2022-2

Now doubt this shipment of German engineering will turn the tide of battle, with Ukranians routing the invaders all the way back to hell hole they crawled out of!

Seriously though, I'm hoping that the Ukrainians do not send someone to pick up those helmets. Accepting this "aid" would be outright humiliating. Germany is really pathetic and outright embarrassing.

 

[Jimbo07]

Now doubt this shipment of German engineering will turn the tide of battle, with Ukranians routing the invaders all the way back to hell hole they crawled out of!

Not alone, but Poland has also indicated they've shipped ammunition and the U.S. has been circumspect about their aid. If the people of Ukraine are able to keep fighting, and if the West starts shipping more weapons, it may turn into a bit of a quagmire...

 

[trustbutverify]

A possibility, but chemical/biological weapons against Ukraine is probably whats more likely.

Agree. But I'm not currently confident enough in Putin's psych to rule anything entirely out.

 

[Andy_Ross]

Hold up! Soon the Russians will have no chance of victory!



https://www.businessinsider.com/hel...e-en-route-days-after-russian-invasion-2022-2

Now doubt this shipment of German engineering will turn the tide of battle, with Ukranians routing the invaders all the way back to hell hole they crawled out of!

Seriously though, I'm hoping that the Ukrainians do not send someone to pick up those helmets. Accepting this "aid" would be outright humiliating. Germany is really pathetic and outright embarrassing.

Can you think of any reason why Germany would want to be careful about any military ventures in Ukraine?

 

[trustbutverify]

If you want to be cynical - sent to Siberia. But no, so they will be protected under the Geneva conventions. And, if not, then command responsibility will mean Putin can be tried for war crimes.

Those portable crematoriums aren't just for Russian fatalities. Putin isn't going to be tried for anything, unless as the residue of a successful internal rebellion.

 

[trustbutverify]

As an aside - my brother asked what Putin would do if he'd been told that he'd had 6 months to live? It made me wonder about his bloated appearance recently.

Me too... he's beginning to look like Norm Macdonald near the end.

 

[trustbutverify]

I was thinking something similar, Russia's invading troops look more like a rag-tag bunch with very little discipline and training.

It's unfortunate Ukraine has little defense capability, but Russia is showing how weak militarily they are.

The bad side of that coin, they have nukes and with a crazy leader like Putin, they might use them.

Will the Greendouche "left" and the GOP justify it if they do?

 

[Andy_Ross]

Realistically there’s not much ‘everyday’ equipment that NATO countries can send to Ukraine apart from uniforms.
Small arms and ammunition are different, you would have to send enough to eqiuip complete units then set up separate logistics to keep them supplied with ammo, introducing different calibre ammunition to just some units would be a headache.
Then someone would have to train the troops in their operation, stripping and cleaning.
Even the mounts for optics are different so sending telescopic or night sights isn’t that simple.
Shoulder launched AT and AA missiles are being supplied as they are self contained and have simpler logistics.

 

[William Parcher]

Does Ukraine manufacture military guns and ammo?

 

[Blue Mountain]

I was thinking something similar, Russia's invading troops look more like a rag-tag bunch with very little discipline and training.

It's unfortunate Ukraine has little defense capability, but Russia is showing how weak militarily they are.

The bad side of that coin, they have nukes and with a crazy leader like Putin, they might use them.

Is there any information on the current status of the missiles carrying the warheads? Have they been maintained and are fueled and ready to go? Or have they been neglected and would fail to reach their targets? Mind you, it would take only one or two to reach their targets to make one hell of a mess.

 

[trustbutverify]

I am amazed at the bravery of the Ukrainians. They are putting the lie to Putin’s ******** about them not being a real country.

I am disgusted by every variety of Putin apologetics as has been seen here and also by professional douchebags, Tucker Carlson (who said he supports Russia!), Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi and Tulsi Gabbard. All disgusting pieces of excrement.

Douchette Taibbi has apologized for some of his douching, and has expressed outrage at Putin and his invasion. My opinion: he saw some of his seven figure per annum at risk, based on incoming metrics.