# 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:** 129
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2561 "2022-03-16T22:43:28Z")
Reading Putin’s statement as quoted there, I’m hearing it being shouted in a stereotypical Hitler rant. I’m seeing more parallels all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2562 "2022-03-16T22:51:00Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > 100 grenade launchers seems like a small number, unless there’s something I don’t understand about grenade launchers. According to Wikipedia, they’re tripod-mounted Mk 19 grenade launchers: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Granatnik_Mk._19_Wojsko_Polskie.jpg/300px-Granatnik_Mk._19_Wojsko_Polskie.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Granatnik_Mk._19_Wojsko_Polskie.jpg/300px-Granatnik_Mk._19_Wojsko_Polskie.jpg) EDIT: They are like heavy machine-guns that fire grenades: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qPfqxekbA7g/hqdefault.jpg "USMC Mark 19 40mm AUTOMATIC GRENADE LAUNCHER") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPfqxekbA7g&t=99s) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2563 "2022-03-16T22:55:51Z")
We’re gonna need another ~~Timmy~~ general… > **[War in Ukraine: Fourth Russian general killed - Zelensky](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60767664)** > > The news raises questions over why senior Russian officers are getting so close to the fighting. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2564 "2022-03-16T22:58:19Z")
For those who didn’t see Zelensky’s speech to the US Congress this morning, here’s a video – it starts at 6:55. Of particular note is the unexpected emotional video he shows, starting at 20:15. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-q8O0pvvGKU/maxresdefault.jpg "WATCH LIVE: Zelensky to deliver virtual address to U.S. Congress") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q8O0pvvGKU) ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2565 "2022-03-16T23:07:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Analysts believe that around 20 generals are leading Russian operations in Ukraine, meaning that if all the reported deaths are confirmed, one fifth of Russia’s generals have been killed in action. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2566 "2022-03-16T23:08:34Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > According to Wikipedia, they’re tripod-mounted Mk 19 grenade launchers: Wow. Those things are still in service? ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2567 "2022-03-16T23:10:24Z")
“Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” - Ian Fleming History does not record what Ian Fleming thought four times was. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2568 "2022-03-16T23:10:59Z")
> [@BBC News](#): > > The news raises questions over why senior Russian officers are getting so close to the fighting. Keep marching forward or get shot is the traditional arrangement, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2569 "2022-03-16T23:11:39Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Latest report: additional 800 Stinger missiles, 2,000 Javelins and 100 Switchblades are headed to Ukraine now, courtesy of Uncle Sam Question is if these assets are being pulled from US/NATO stocks already in Europe (so they should be available relatively quickly to the Ukranians) or if they are coming from CONUS (CONtinental US) Depots and need to be staged and loaded for aircraft lift. When days, indeed hours, count, the sooner the better, IMHO. Still, wouldn’t be wanting to fly a Russian helicopter anywhere close to Ukraine–after what the Afghans did with Stingers we gave them… Press on. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2570 "2022-03-16T23:14:05Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Analysts believe that around 20 generals are leading Russian operations in Ukraine, meaning that if all the reported deaths are confirmed, one fifth of Russia’s generals have been killed in action. I suspect (with no evidence) that Russian troops are either tipping off Ukraine about where the generals are located, or are doing the deed themselves. ---
**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:** [March 16, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2571 "2022-03-16T23:15:25Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > They are like heavy machine-guns that fire grenades _Terminal Lance_ had something similar to say about the M240. As he said in his comment, “Barrels are replaceable… the moment is not.” > **[Going Cyclic - Terminal Lance](https://terminallance.com/2022/01/29/going-cyclic/)** > > Mankind are brilliant creatures, having made their way from humble roots as ape-like creatures all the way to the age of information. We went from banging rocks together to being able to carry advanced computers in our pockets that can access all of... ---
**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:** [March 16, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2572 "2022-03-16T23:19:01Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > We’re gonna need another ~~Timmy~~ general… It’s better to die in battle than get killed for disappointing Putin. He’s probably lashing out at all his top officers. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2573 "2022-03-16T23:37:52Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > The news raises questions over why senior Russian officers are getting so close to the fighting. At a guess, trying to pick up morale in the front lines (or threaten soldiers with dire consequences if they don’t show enough aggressive actions). And possibly because they don’t trust the information they are getting from their subordinates at the front and are going to have a look for themselves–which for Ukraine is the best option, since those would be the Generals who would press the offensive if they could; the idiots are staying well back from the lines and just reading reports from there. All IMHO as always. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2574 "2022-03-17T00:00:01Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 100 Switchblades In case I’m not the only one who didn’t know what these are: > **[AeroVironment Switchblade](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroVironment_Switchblade)** > > The AeroVironment Switchblade is a miniature loitering munition designed by AeroVironment and used by several branches of the United States military. Small enough to fit in a backpack, the Switchblade launches from a tube, flies to the target area, and crashes into its target while detonating its explosive warhead. The name Switchblade comes from how the spring-loaded wings are folded inside a tube and flipped out once released. > Introduced in 2011, the original Switchblade was rebranded the Swit... * * * Separately, I haven’t heard much about improved coastal defense. I saw Ukraine had ordered some anti-ship missiles earlier this year but I don’t know if they received them. And I don’t know if there’s much use to them at this stage. I’m interested in others’ opinions. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2575 "2022-03-17T00:04:38Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > I would REALLY like to hear about how that special op got pulled off. Maybe some day we’ll get the details. That day is today. Apparently, prisoner exchange, not special ops. BBC: > [@](#): > > The mayor of Melitopol, who was reportedly kidnapped by Russian forces five days ago, was freed after Ukraine agreed to exchange nine captured Russian soldiers for him, according to a senior Ukrainian presidential aide. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2022, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2576 "2022-03-17T00:06:30Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > His failures so far would suggest otherwise. He’s begging China for food. “Please sir, may I have another MRE?” D’oh! You missed a fantastic opportunity to craft an epic line for Oliver Putin: “Please sir, may I have some MRE?” ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2577 "2022-03-17T00:14:37Z")
The only reason a general needs to visit the front lines is if he doesn’t have a grasp on what’s going on there. Things aren’t going as planned. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2578 "2022-03-17T00:53:36Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Ukraine agreed to exchange nine captured Russian soldiers for him Good news guys, you get to go home. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2579 "2022-03-17T00:58:06Z")
I’m willing to bet that the soldiers are less than thrilled with this concept. They’re likely to be in the group that Putin has said that Russia will “self-clense” ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/2580 "2022-03-17T01:11:23Z")
Latest summary from the Institute for the Study of War: > **[Institute for the Study of War](https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-16)** > > Russian forces face mounting difficulties replacing combat losses in Ukraine, including the possible death of the commander of the 150th Motor Rifle Division near Mariupol. Russian efforts to deploy forces from Armenia, its proxy states in Georgia,... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=128) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=130)