# Russia invades Ukraine {2022-02-24} (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion, breaking-news\ **Created:** [February 24, 2022, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037 "2022-02-24T08:30:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/221 "2022-02-26T08:08:12Z")
My respect for Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky’s courage is growing day by day. The man is out there leading and inspiring his country. He’s only been a politician for a short time. Churchill had been elected to Parliament in 1900 and had military experience before that. Unverified reports claim there are Chechen kill squads looking for Zelensky and other Ukraine officials. There are also Russian guided missiles that can target rooms in buildings. Similar to what the US used in Iraq. I hope Zelensky can avoid capture or death and continue to lead his countrymen. It is making a difference in building international support. Biden just approved a 350 million Ukraine military aid package. I don’t believe that was even a option last week. > **[Is Chechen kill squad hunting Zelenskyy? Jihadists reportedly tracking...](https://meaww.com/chechen-kill-squad-russia-unleashes-jihadist-force-hunt-down-ukraine-officials-563138)** > > Each soldier in the Chechen Special Forces was given a 'deck of cards' with the photos of targetted Ukrainian officials on them > **[Biden approves $350 million in military aid for Ukraine](https://news.yahoo.com/biden-approves-350-million-military-051745021.html)** > > WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden instructed the U.S. State Department to release up to an additional $350 million worth of weapons from U.S. stocks to Ukraine on Friday as it struggles to repulse a Russian invasion. In a memorandum to... ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/222 "2022-02-26T08:39:21Z")
It gives your own Air Force something to hit as the enemy columns are slowed down ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/223 "2022-02-26T08:42:13Z")
I dunno about the supposed IL-76/78 shoot downs. Those are _big_ aircraft and if they have been shot down then there definitely would have been some video of burning wreckage. The Flanker which was destroyed left lots of video and debris and it’s small compared to the Ilyushins. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/224 "2022-02-26T10:22:48Z")
Today’s _New York Times_ has a report of pro-Russian people on the right. Here is the link; [‘I’ll Stand on the Side of Russia’: Pro-Putin Sentiment Spreads Online](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/technology/russia-supporters.html) In truth, I do not give this much importance. The people they mention do not seem to be big names. Only a few have Wikipedia entries. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/225 "2022-02-26T10:55:27Z")
Dashboard cam footage of a Ukrainian motorist encountering a Russian tank that’s run out of fuel, with English subtitles. > ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/226 "2022-02-26T11:00:04Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I’m reading reports that a number of the Russian foot soldiers have been begging for food as the army hasn’t fed them in days, and that tanks are running out of fuel and trying to buy gas from the locals. So it’s sort of like the Battle of the Bulge – launching an attack with a minimal amount of logistics – only the Russians don’t have the excuse of using everything they had on hand. If true, it’s a clusterfuck beyond all comprehension. _An army marches on its stomach_ – Napoleon _The line between disorder and order lies in logistics_ – Sun Tzu (maybe) ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/227 "2022-02-26T11:04:49Z")
Can anyone provide an easy link to whatever Google Maps has on this? I have read news stories saying that the road traffic information is useful, for example. But I have rarely used Google Maps and so cannot find what I want. [-=Linky=-](https://www.thedailybeast.com/these-nerds-saw-ukraine-invasion-start-on-google-maps-before-vladimir-putin-said-a-word) ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/228 "2022-02-26T11:11:31Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > > [@Smapti](#): > > > > I’m reading reports that a number of the Russian foot soldiers have been begging for food as the army hasn’t fed them in days, and that tanks are running out of fuel and trying to buy gas from the locals. > > So it’s sort of like the Battle of the Bulge – launching an attack with a minimal amount of logistics – only the Russians don’t have the excuse of using everything they had on hand. If true, it’s a clusterfuck beyond all comprehension. I haven’t seen any reports of catastrophic Russian food and fuel supply problems. I am not sure I believe a [meaw.com](http://meaw.com) report. Maybe wait until it’s confirmed elsewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/229 "2022-02-26T11:18:51Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Maybe wait until it’s confirmed elsewhere? Well, here’s articles from before the invasion about how troops stationed on the border weren’t being fed. > **[Russian Troops at Ukraine's Border Face 'Nightmare' Living Conditions - The...](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/21/russian-troops-at-ukraines-border-face-nightmare-living-conditions-a76488)** > > Russian troops stationed in the town of Dolbino near the Ukrainian border have been living in “nightmare” conditions, sleeping on cramped floors and going without military food rations for days, according to social media reports and rights advocates... > **[Harsh conditions mean Russian troops near Ukraine will need to be moved soon](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/23/harsh-conditions-mean-russian-troops-near-ukraine-will-need-to-be-moved-soon)** > > Analysis: advance forces’ battle readiness will quickly degrade, giving Putin only days to choose invasion or retreat And a similar one about the Russian soldiers in Belarus (right across the border from Chernobyl, from which the push for Kiev has originated) selling materiel for booze and cash. > **['They Drink A Lot, Sell Their Fuel': Belarusians Give Low Marks To Russian...](https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-troops-belarus-exercises-ukraine/31711282.html)** > > Russian soldiers in southeastern Belarus "settled in the surrounding forests," one local resident said. "They drink a lot and sell a lot of their diesel fuel." ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/230 "2022-02-26T11:32:25Z")
Ukraine is setting up a hotline so Russian parents can call to find out if their conscripted sons or daughters have been captured or killed: > ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/231 "2022-02-26T11:35:15Z")
Kazakhstan, up until now a close ally of Russia, has refused Russia’s request for troops and to recognize the bullshit republics: > They’re probably wisely worried that they could be next if this succeeds. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/232 "2022-02-26T11:37:54Z")
Twitter thread about the possibility (supported by reports of breakdowns, no fuel, supplies, etc.) that Russia planned a blitzkrieg attack and logistically was totally unprepared for the resistance met: > ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/233 "2022-02-26T11:39:15Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Harsh conditions mean Russian troops near Ukraine will need to be moved soon | Ukraine | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/23/harsh-conditions-mean-russian-troops-near-ukraine-will-need-to-be-moved-soon) > Analysis: advance forces’ battle readiness will quickly degrade, giving Putin only days to choose invasion or retreat (With extreme sarcasm from my part:) "[Ambassador Trentino]: I am willing to do anything to prevent this war. [Dictator of Freedonia, Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx)]: It’s too late. I’ve already paid a month’s rent on the battlefield." – From Duck Soup (1933) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/234 "2022-02-26T11:40:23Z")
As a professional military logistician, I find this focus very satisfying. And if it’s accurate, it’s kind of shocking how incompetent the Russians have been so far. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/235 "2022-02-26T12:55:02Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Not sure where to put this, but since it relates to the current situation I’ll post it here. [NB: It reads like fresh kale for Liberals; but we can dream, can’t we?] Unreliable sources _can_ give good information but I think we’ve all seen the results of reading mixed truth and fiction, in the long term. > **[PoliticusUSA - Bias and Credibility](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/politicususa/)** > > LEFT BIAS These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation.  They may > **[CNN - Bias and Credibility](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/left/cnn-bias/)** > > LEFT BIAS These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation.  They may ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/236 "2022-02-26T13:01:07Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [https://globalnews.ca/news/8645150/ukraine-russia-invasion-kyiv/](https://globalnews.ca/news/8645150/ukraine-russia-invasion-kyiv/) > > > [@](#): > > > > Ukraine’s military said over 3,500 Russian fighters had been killed and nearly 200 more taken prisoner, which has not been independently verified. Moscow has not admitted to a single casualty. > > Could all be puffery, but if the sources reporting on the two downed transports are correct, that’s easily about 600 dead Russians right there. Appears to be a good source (Canadian): > **[Global News - Bias and Credibility](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/global-news/)** > > LEFT-CENTER BIAS These media sources have a slight to moderate liberal bias.  They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/237 "2022-02-26T13:09:39Z")
This one brought a tear to my eye (1m10s): [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/L17Bi7zBJHI/hqdefault.jpg "Ukrainian woman offers seeds to Russian soldiers so 'sunflowers grow when they die'") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L17Bi7zBJHI) > [@](#): > > A woman is being hailed on social media after she confronted a heavily armed Russian soldier and offered him sunflower seeds – so that flowers would grow if he died there on Ukraine’s soil. ‘You’re occupants, you’re fascists,’ she shouts, standing about a metre from the soldier. > > ‘Take these seeds and put them in your pockets so at least sunflowers will grow when you all lie down here’ ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/238 "2022-02-26T13:34:28Z")
That’s witchy stuff - and I mean that in the best possible way. Highly admire that woman’s courage. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/239 "2022-02-26T13:37:22Z")
I’m seeing speculation that Putin might resort to high-power thermobaric weapons. Would that be considered crossing a moral line? Would the use of that weapon against troops or a city be a war crime? It’s a bit of a problem for the US. We used one against the Taliban. It’s my understanding it was a rural area and a few hundred fighters. We didn’t create massive casualities in the thousands. I know Putin is considered ruthless. Would he cross the line and become a war criminal by wiping out a defenseless Ukrainian city? I would hope that Putin’s political base would revolt against committing atrocities.The Ukraine was a cofounder of the Soviet Union. Russians and Ukrainians share a lot of common history. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2022, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/240 "2022-02-26T13:38:26Z")
I’d just like to note that one takeaway I had from Putin’s speeches and “live streams” was that the man looked old, tubby, and comfortable. I don’t think he’s long for keeping those who surround him in petrification of his greatness. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=13)