The War in Ukraine

[lenaitch]

pictures look really black for what ever thats worth
Maybe they transfer to another ship in like Greece or something?

Hmmm. Heavy, dirty stuff, much like Bunker-grade fuel. A precursor, so to speak, for distillates like diesel fuel. I doubt it would transfer well without heating. A bit of a side benefit for the environment is it likely doesn't disperse well in cold water. According to Wiki, Iran uses it as a heating fuel.

 

[KevinB]

Maybe he's emboldened because the pee pee tapes got erased somehow?

We should also keep in mind that then President Trump instituted a lot of US training and Equipment into Ukraine when he was President the first time. He only got annoyed with Ukraine when they didn't turn over incriminating evidence against the Biden's - and everyone should remember that politicians on campaign or in opposition/out of office, are a LOT different than when they get back in to office...

 

[QV]

Maybe he's emboldened because the pee pee tapes got erased somehow?

I think y'all just need to give the guy a chance.

 

[KevinB]

I think y'all just need to give the guy a chance.

You don't get to say y'all unless you liver south of the M-D Line, or we call that cultural appropriation

In all seriousness, I am really hoping that President Trump's second term really sets a benchmark for dealing with Russia, and 47 will be looked at like Ronnie for breaking the Evil Empire.

 

[Kirkhill]

You don't get to say y'all unless you liver south of the M-D Line, or we call that cultural appropriation

In all seriousness, I am really hoping that President Trump's second term really sets a benchmark for dealing with Russia, and 47 will be looked at like Ronnie for breaking the Evil Empire.

I spent 2 years south of Monument Circle in Indianapolis, and as anyone local will tell you the Mason-Dixon line runs through that Monument. I reckon that made this Anglo-Scot an ornery Hoozier, y'all!

My sense is that Trump doesn't feel the need to be impolite until he engages with his opponent. Once the weigh in is over the smack talk begins.

With Trudeau (and Freeland) the smack talk has well and truly begun. That game is on.

With Putin the shift in tone may indicate that that fight is on as well. Trump, in my opinion, offered Vlad what Trump might have considered an olive branch, in the sense that he offered civil discourse and mutual respect. But, if he doesn't get what he is looking for then it becomes a street fight.



And the smack talk is what his supporters expect.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Sidenote: I am hearing rumours of unannounced pay cuts for Polish troops. Not sure if they are running short of funds or having their own Phoenix moment?

 

[The Bread Guy]

Senior Russian General in charge of their Chemical-Radiological-Biological defense unit, along with his assistant, was assassinated this morning outside his Moscow apartment. More info here:

Russian Military’s Chemical Weapons Chief Killed in Moscow Blast - The Moscow Times

The head of the Russian army's chemical weapons division was killed on Tuesday in a brazen attack in Moscow claimed by Kyiv — the most senior military figure assassinated in Russia yet as the Kremlin's campaign in Ukraine drags on.

www.themoscowtimes.com

Who Is Igor Kirillov, the Highest-Ranking Assassinated Russian General? - The Moscow Times

The head of the Russian army's chemical weapons division was killed Tuesday in an apparent targeted assassination outside an apartment building in Moscow.

www.themoscowtimes.com

And a list of pro-Russian supporters and defectors killed since the war started:

The Pro-War Russians and Ukrainian Defectors Killed Amid Moscow’s Invasion - The Moscow Times

The head of the Russian army's chemical weapons division was killed Tuesday in a blast outside an apartment building in Moscow, becoming the highest-ranking military official to be killed in such a blast during the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion.

www.themoscowtimes.com

And some arrests - and taking credit/claiming responsibility ....

Russia detains suspect over the assassination of top general, investigators say

Russia has detained a suspect in the killing of the head of the army's chemical weapons division, investigators said, a day after the general and his aide were killed by a blast in Moscow.

www.sbs.com.au

Ukraine takes responsibility for assassination of Russian general

Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Czech_pivo]

And some arrests - and taking credit/claiming responsibility ....

Russia detains suspect over the assassination of top general, investigators say

Russia has detained a suspect in the killing of the head of the army's chemical weapons division, investigators said, a day after the general and his aide were killed by a blast in Moscow.

www.sbs.com.au

Ukraine takes responsibility for assassination of Russian general

Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.

www.abc.net.au

Why take responsibility for this? Why not follow the Israel approach of just saying nothing and letting everyone speculate if it was you or somebody else?

 

[Good2Golf]

Why take responsibility for this? Why not follow the Israel approach of just saying nothing and letting everyone speculate if it was you or somebody else?

Then Russians will know it’s not the FSB doing Putin’s bidding, but out of his control.

“They walk among us…” fear factor.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Then Russians will know it’s not the FSB doing
Putin’s bidding, but out of his control.

“They walk among us…” fear factor.

Ah, makes perfect sense when you put it that way. Makes Putin look weak. Also, highlights the differences of dying from an exploding scooter vs dying from a fall from the first floor window of a building.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Why take responsibility for this? Why not follow the Israel approach of just saying nothing and letting everyone speculate if it was you or somebody else?

Israel also has something to gain by not admitting to what is essentially a act of war on another nation. Ukraine is at war with Russia so that benefit means nothing to them.

 

[RangerRay]

Also, I think Ukraine is trying to create an Israeli-like reputation for going after their enemies where they live. They might have to publicize their accomplishments to make that reputation, otherwise everyone may just think the target pissed off Putin and the FSB is trying to get more creative beyond pushing people out of windows.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Also, I think Ukraine is trying to create an Israeli-like reputation for going after their enemies where they live. They might have to publicize their accomplishments to make that reputation, otherwise everyone may just think the target pissed off Putin and the FSB is trying to get more creative beyond pushing people out of windows.

Of, if we really want to play wilderness of mirrors, maybe chemical warfare guy DID piss off USSR 2.0, which found an Uzbek to fess up & say UKR did it, and UKR is happy to take said credit. OK, maybe I've been online too long

 

[GK .Dundas]

Any Uzbek will do seems to be a recurring theme in Russian jurisprudence...

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Any Uzbek will do seems to be a recurring theme in Russian jurisprudence...

Since Soviet times….

 

[suffolkowner]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1870199662671487174

whoops

 

[Skysix]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1870199662671487174

whoops

Russia (Putin) has repeatedly stated there are no rules in war and that the ultimate strategic goal of this globally fought Cold War 2.0 / WW3 (depending on your definitions) is the replacement of the rules based order with a multi polar order based on spheres of influence and the uninhibited exercise of raw power in all its forms.

So why (are we so stupid) the hubris that anything related to our way of framing and thinking is the same as theirs or even matters to them? Only the calculus of cause and effect, risk vs reward and generational vs election cycle planning matter.

Want this to stop? Retaliate quickly, decisively and proportionately (but slightly higher). Ideally say what you are going to do then immediately do it while saying and proving they can do nothing to stop you and then publicly show the world that you did what you promised and then some and that they were powerless to stop you. Sound familiar (cough cough Hazle tree cough cough). Rub their nose in it in such a way that any followon retaliation will seem the petty and pointless act of a weakling.

The subtext being that we could do this at any time to anyone but are too decent to do so (unless provoked) and above petty displays of bullying and bravado. Turn a tactical level kinetic war provocation into an operational level viral info war meme.

We need to grow the F up if we want to play in the modern big boys 'Great Game'. Channel the Gambler. You are either sitting at the dinner table or food to be placed on it. The likes of Scholtz and Sullivan are appetisers. Putin's test this time is aimed at further destabilising NATO unity to further his ultimate goal. We need to retake the initiative and stop playing his game. Change it. Remake it. Own it. WIN IT.

 

[Maxman1]

https://www.reddit.com/r/CombatFootage/comments/1hijr4k/north_korean_soldier_kills_his_friend_while

 

[quadrapiper]

Russia (Putin) has repeatedly stated there are no rules in war and that the ultimate strategic goal of this globally fought Cold War 2.0 / WW3 (depending on your definitions) is the replacement of the rules based order with a multi polar order based on spheres of influence and the uninhibited exercise of raw power in all its forms.

So why (are we so stupid) the hubris that anything related to our way of framing and thinking is the same as theirs or even matters to them? Only the calculus of cause and effect, risk vs reward and generational vs election cycle planning matter.

Want this to stop? Retaliate quickly, decisively and proportionately (but slightly higher). Ideally say what you are going to do then immediately do it while saying and proving they can do nothing to stop you and then publicly show the world that you did what you promised and then some and that they were powerless to stop you. Sound familiar (cough cough Hazle tree cough cough). Rub their nose in it in such a way that any followon retaliation will seem the petty and pointless act of a weakling.

The subtext being that we could do this at any time to anyone but are too decent to do so (unless provoked) and above petty displays of bullying and bravado. Turn a tactical level kinetic war provocation into an operational level viral info war meme.

We need to grow the F up if we want to play in the modern big boys 'Great Game'. Channel the Gambler. You are either sitting at the dinner table or food to be placed on it. The likes of Scholtz and Sullivan are appetisers. Putin's test this time is aimed at further destabilising NATO unity to further his ultimate goal. We need to retake the initiative and stop playing his game. Change it. Remake it. Own it. WIN IT.

Gift Ukraine a couple of submarines.
[vaguely deniable Silent Service shenanigans]
Profit.