# 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:** 19
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/361 "2022-02-27T04:14:23Z")
The Economist published an article a few weeks ago saying that cutting Russia off from SWIFT would strengthen their internal system and maybe China’s. However, I’m sure they weren’t thinking of an actual attempted takeover of Ukraine and united actions from Western countries to cut off Russia from the world. An oligarchy/kleptocracy without access to their money is an interesting concept, rarely if ever seen on this scale. Putin seems likely to start seeing serious internal outrage from the very people he depends on to keep him in power. ---
**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 27, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/362 "2022-02-27T04:21:33Z")
[https://mobile.twitter.com/travisakers/status/1497754605865684992](https://mobile.twitter.com/travisakers/status/1497754605865684992) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/363 "2022-02-27T04:25:26Z")
Kudos to Germany for stepping up and sending ground and air missiles. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/364 "2022-02-27T05:08:23Z")
I just took a look. It seems like there’s always that one plane that looks like it’s going to just fly straight across the combat zone. I’m guessing that most of them don’t actually do that… ---
**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 27, 2022, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/365 "2022-02-27T07:31:57Z")
Meanwhile, in the “Things That Shouldn’t Have To Be Said But Here We Are” file, here’s a well-written essay regarding the transphobes on Twitter who think that Russia invaded Ukraine because of people asking to be called “they/them”. > **[No, the War in Ukraine Isn’t Because of Pronouns](https://gen.medium.com/no-the-war-in-ukraine-wasnt-because-of-pronouns-c3e3e8f938a3)** > > Punditry’s most embarrassing obsession comes to war time and it’s just as dumb as you’d expect it to be ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/366 "2022-02-27T09:33:41Z")
Al Jazeera reports that the Ukrainian road company is removing road signs to make it harder for Russian troops to navigate. “It posted an edited photo of a standard road sign in which directions to nearby cutie have been replaced with profanities” ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/367 "2022-02-27T09:51:39Z")
Great, now where will I meet my cuties? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/368 "2022-02-27T09:56:42Z")
> [@XT](#): > > It won’t be the first absolutely nasty environmental disaster the Russian’s have perpetrated. Sadly, it probably won’t be the last, either… Not even the first in Ukraine. Yeah, oil refinery fire? Pshaw! Ukraine still has the remains of a nuclear power plant fire on its territory. As far as using conventional weapons to destroy a city - nations were doing that back in WWII. You’d think Putin would want to preserve the useful stuff like buildings but if he gets angry or desperate enough who knows what he’ll do? ---
**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 27, 2022, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/369 "2022-02-27T10:48:55Z")
Several videos on Twitter of Russian POWs, explaining that they didn’t know where their orders were taking them and they didn’t want to fight Ukrainians. If true, I wonder if Russian unwillingness to fight is having as much of an impact on their lack of progress as poor logistics and supplies. ---
**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 27, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/370 "2022-02-27T11:33:09Z")
Ukraine has driven invaders from Kharkiv, according to reports. Very impressive if true. > ---
**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 27, 2022, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/371 "2022-02-27T12:02:33Z")
The feeling I get from all this is that Putin may have made a catastrophic miscalculation that could lead to a more rapid downfall than anyone could have predicted. We’ll see if my feelings have anything to do with reality. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/372 "2022-02-27T12:58:00Z")
A lot of experts on Russia and Putin agree that his decision to invade was totally irrational. He’s simply lost the plot. There can be no positive outcome for him. See my post here: > [@Has Putin mentally deteriorated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-putin-mentally-deteriorated/960179): > > This thread is meant to be about Putin himself, rather than about the war in Ukraine. There are a couple of threads about that running already. I was completely wrong about Putin invading Ukraine – but then so were a lot of serious experts on Russia. I’ve been thinking about why that was. Excuse the long post.   From the [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine.html): In Moscow’s foreign policy establishment, where analysts overwhelmingly characterized Mr. Putin’s military buildup around Ukraine as an elaborate and astute bluff in … ---
**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:** [February 27, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/373 "2022-02-27T13:08:36Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Several videos on Twitter of Russian POWs, explaining that they didn’t know where their orders were taking them and they didn’t want to fight Ukrainians. If true, I wonder if Russian unwillingness to fight is having as much of an impact on their lack of progress as poor logistics and supplies. Typical autocratic thinking - seeing your soldier as automatons who will follow your orders blindly, and thus forgetting to provide them with a reason to fight for you. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/374 "2022-02-27T13:18:08Z")
From the head of the Kharkiv administration ([on Telegram, auto translation](https://t.me/synegubov/2453)): > Control over Kharkiv is completely ours! The Armed Forces, the National Police, and the Defense Forces are working, and the city is being completely cleansed of the enemy. > > Russia’s enemy is completely demoralized. Directly in Kharkiv, throwing enemy vehicles in the middle of the road, whole groups of 5-10 people surrender to Ukrainian troops. As soon as they see at least one representative of the Armed Forces, they surrender. > > Regarding the situation in the region as of now: Chuguiv is completely controlled by Ukrainian troops, Ukrainian flags on all administrative buildings. > > The offensive of the Russian aggressor continues in the Lipetsk direction, Vovchansky and Belgorod. And on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/synegubov.oleg): > Dozens of Russian soldiers surrendered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kharkiv. > > The captured Russian fighters speak of complete exhaustion and demoralization, they have no connection with the central command, do not understand and do not know their further actions. Since the beginning of the attack on Ukraine, they have not received food and water, the equipment has no fuel reserves. > > Leaving their positions, Russian fighters try to hide among the civilian population, asking people for clothes and food. Because no one is waiting for them ‘at home’. > > Residents of Kharkiv region, be careful not to open the door to strangers, do not help the Russian aggressor in hiding. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/375 "2022-02-27T13:24:11Z")
Something I find very surprising about this whole situation is the fact that most of Ukraine seem to still have internet connection, I have coworkers in or near Kyiv and Dnipro who are, if not actively working, at least in constant contact with the rest of us. Does this reflect a Russian policy of not actively going against the communications infrastructure?, I thought that one of he pillars of modern war was to destroy/disrupt enemy communications. Alternatively, are they trying to do it and failing? Is it due to Ukrainian resistence or the general “robustness” of the internet?. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2022, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/376 "2022-02-27T13:36:29Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > But this dude yesterday, who by all logic should be shitting his pants four times a day, just flat out told the USA when they offered to evacuate him “I need ammunition, not a ride.” He’s visiting troops on the front line. He is rallying his people in a defense that is probably doomed but is as stiff as anyone could have hoped for; the Ukrainians are fighting like legends. A COMEDIAN is probably going to die defending his country and he appears to know it and he is saying “Can’t lead from behind” and standing tall. I wish my country had statesmen like this. The man is a hero for the ages. Well said, and I fully agree. Zelensky is going to be a legendary figure in a future free and independent Ukraine. Headlines around the world already say it all – CNN: “a profile in courage”; The Atlantic: “a prayer for Volodymyr Zelensky”. If anything happens to him it will just add to the litany of war crimes perpetrated by the Chinless Wonder. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/377 "2022-02-27T13:46:12Z")
According to Ukraine, Russian losses up to yesterday were: 4300 military personnel 27 aircraft 26 helicopters 146 tanks 706 armoured fighting vehicles 49 guns 1 Buk air defence system 4 Grads 2 navy boats How many tens of billions a day is this costing Russia, irrespective of anything else? I doubt that they can keep it up for long. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/378 "2022-02-27T13:48:34Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Alternatively, are they trying to do it and failing? Is it due to Ukrainian resistence or the general “robustness” of the internet?. Wasn’t the internet originally designed as an alternate communications system capable of continuing to operate during wartime? Seems like it’s doing its job. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/379 "2022-02-27T13:51:59Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Something I find very surprising about this whole situation is the fact that most of Ukraine seem to still have internet connection [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/internet-ukraine-disrupted-russian-troops-advance-2022-02-26/](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/internet-ukraine-disrupted-russian-troops-advance-2022-02-26/) But… > “We currently observe national connectivity at 87% of ordinary levels, a figure that reflects service disruptions as well as population flight and the shuttering of homes and businesses since the morning of the 24th,” Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, told Reuters. > > “While there is no nation-scale blackout, little is being heard from the worst affected regions, and for others there’s an ever-present fear that connectivity could worsen at any moment, cutting off friends and family,” Toker said. Elon Musk is galloping to the rescue with Starlink receivers, but who knows how many, or when they’ll get there, or how long they’ll take to be distributed. Anyway, it’s _great_ publicity for Elon Musk and Starlink! ---
**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 27, 2022, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/380 "2022-02-27T13:52:42Z")
And on that note – I think it’s been posted on one of the Ukraine threads – Elon Musk tweeted yesterday: > Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route. With off-grid charging for phones, tablets, and laptops, that probably (my understanding about the infrastructure involved is limited) makes the prospect of taking them offline _significantly_ more challenging. Starlink: > **[Starlink](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink)** > > Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to over 70 countries. It also aims for global mobile phone service after 2023. > SpaceX started launching Starlink satellites in 2019. As of early January 2024, it consists of over 5,289 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) that communicate with designated ground transceivers. Nearly 12,000 satellites are planned to be deployed, with a possible later extension to ... ETA: Ninja’d ! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=20)