Ukraine

[scottw]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

he threatened finland and sweden not to join NATO. If Putin had a brain, i think it’s broke.

it’s hard to believe we’re actually talking about an unprovoked invasion.

I’d love to see Putin answer for this someday.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

it's not the first time in history...we just like to act as though it can't happen....

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by scottw

it's not the first time in history...we just like to act as though it can't happen....

but it’s the first time in a loooong time. you’re right, dangerous to get complacent.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[scottw]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

but it’s the first time in a loooong time. you’re right, dangerous to get complacent.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

depends on your definition of long

some would include this "And then there was George W. Bush, who unnecessarily invaded Saddam’s Iraq—which had been severely weakened by Bush Sr.’s pounding of it a decade before—on a bunch of trumped up-accusations."

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by scottw

depends on your definition of long

some would include this "And then there was George W. Bush, who unnecessarily invaded Saddam’s Iraq—which had been severely weakened by Bush Sr.’s pounding of it a decade before—on a bunch of trumped up-accusations."

very true.
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[spence]

Originally Posted by scottw

depends on your definition of long

some would include this "And then there was George W. Bush, who unnecessarily invaded Saddam’s Iraq—which had been severely weakened by Bush Sr.’s pounding of it a decade before—on a bunch of trumped up-accusations."

As much as the Iraq war was a tragic blunder all around at least you could argue we were up against an incredibly corrupt authoritarian regime. In Ukraine we’re talking about a mostly peaceful democracy.

Worst quote reportedly overheard from a Russian soldier: “We don’t know who to shoot, they all look like us.”

[scottw]

Originally Posted by spence

As much as the Iraq war was a tragic blunder all around at least you could argue we were up against an incredibly corrupt authoritarian regime. In Ukraine we’re talking about a mostly peaceful democracy.

2 for 2 stating the obvious today...good job!

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Ukraine claims it's killed almost 3,000 Russian soldiers in the first 36 hours of the invasion.

As ever, you have to take these things with a grain of salt, but anything even remotely close to that number would be stunning – the US lost 4,431 in two decades in Iraq
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I am seeing enough that convinces me that number might be close to accurate. Ukraine's losses are also much higher than reported, but they are holding so far. Ballsy AF.

Originally Posted by wdmso

thermobaric rockets systems seen on their way

They've been doing a lot of Grads in different places but the Thermobaric weapons are an entire different level of bad.

Originally Posted by spence

I think it could go way beyond embarrassment. If there’s no clear path out through Ukraine he could drag other countries into this mess or just wage war on the West in general. Start stockpiling canned tuna.

True. Having the electricity off for a long time is not out of the question (cyber or worse) and we are always about 9 meals away from absolute mayhem.

[scottw]

good job....


During the phase of Russia’s troop buildup that began last fall, the White House presented evidence of Russia’s activities surrounding Ukraine to Qin Gang, China’s ambassador to the U.S., according to the New York Times. Instead of pressuring Moscow to back down, the Chinese government shared that intelligence with the Kremlin.

[nightfighter]

Originally Posted by JohnR

I am seeing enough that convinces me that number might be close to accurate. Ukraine's losses are also much higher than reported, but they are holding so far. Ballsy AF.

Conscripted troops with less training contribute to early losses

They've been doing a lot of Grads in different places but the Thermobaric weapons are an entire different level of bad.

Horrible weapon system. Horrible way to die



True. Having the electricity off for a long time is not out of the question (cyber or worse) and we are always about 9 meals away from absolute mayhem.

Choose your level of preparation...
I think German Chancellor is taking the lead here for a European led coalition. Might be NATO, but could involve non NATO countries as well. He had Polish PM and head of Lithuania in Berlin today. It would be best IMO if this were not US led response. American participation, in a significant way, but not at the head of the coalition.