# 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:** 27
**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 28, 2022, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/521 "2022-02-28T12:02:55Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > China says they oppose unilateral sanctions. Unilateral sanctions? So we can apply the various sanctions against Russia if it agrees? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/522 "2022-02-28T12:03:24Z")
Warning, graphic pictures. Russians have obviously run out of patience. Using 300 mm MLRS now in Kharkiv. Dozens of casualties. > ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/523 "2022-02-28T12:04:37Z")
Here’s another clip, looks like the same tractor and amphibious vehicle. > ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/524 "2022-02-28T12:07:37Z")
Russia’s RIA-Novosti news agency accidentally published its victory piece on Saturday before quickly deleting it. But the web archive remembers. Google translate will work on this site - it’s quite a read. > **[Наступление России и нового мира](https://web.archive.org/web/20220226051154/https://ria.ru/20220226/rossiya-1775162336.html)** > > Новый мир рождается на наших глазах. Военная операция России на Украине открыла новую эпоху — причем сразу в трех измерениях. И конечно, в четвертом,... РИА Новости, 26.02.2022 > Russia has not only challenged the West, it has shown that the era of Western global domination can be considered completely and finally over. ---
**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 28, 2022, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/525 "2022-02-28T12:07:54Z")
An exercise in futility. Russia cannot win this war by dropping bigger bombs. ---
**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 28, 2022, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/526 "2022-02-28T12:10:20Z")
We learned that in Viet Nam 45 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/527 "2022-02-28T12:19:16Z")
As stated earlier, it turns out the Snake island squad, all who have been posthumously awarded the Hero of Ukraine, are alive and in captivity. > Guessing after they said go f\*\*\* yourself, they got a broadside and the offer was repeated and they had change of heart. ---
**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 28, 2022, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/528 "2022-02-28T12:24:05Z")
I’m gonna need more than one unsourced tweet from a guy with a history of posting false claims before I believe that. > **[Spectator Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectator_Index)** > > The Spectator Index is the name of a popular Twitter account and website run by Abdul-Latif Halimi, a doctor from Melbourne, Australia. Its Twitter account has over 2 million followers. > Started in 2013 as The International Spectator using the Twitter handle @INTLSpectator, the account described itself as a “new online magazine website, offering analysis and insight into the world’s international political, economic, scientific, cultural and entertainment developments". The site rebranded as the... > [@](#): > > In 2017, the website Africa Check reported that the Spectator Index tweeted false statistics about the frequency of rapes committed in South Africa. Africa Check also reported that the Spectator Index had misreported the suicide rate in Nigeria. > > In an investigation published by the New Statesman, journalist Henry Dyer found that the account was owned by Lebanese-Australian doctor Abdul-Latif Halimi after looking at the Australian business filings of the Spectator Index. The New Statesman reported that Halimi is “well connected with the devout practising Muslim world, those who consider themselves to be traditionalists”. Halimi did not respond to requests for an interview from Dyer. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/529 "2022-02-28T12:31:22Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I mean, this would be like Michelle Obama announcing, after all these years, that she’s Barack’s wife. C’mon now, a Black man who marries his baby momma? Let’s stay in the real world, shall we? \ ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/530 "2022-02-28T12:34:28Z")
The Kiyv Independent’s defence reporter good enough for you? > ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/531 "2022-02-28T12:36:36Z")
Here’s another one, this time they snagged a rocket launcher. Believe what you will. > ---
**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 28, 2022, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/532 "2022-02-28T12:38:29Z")
“They were taken prisoner by Russia”, says Russia. According to Russia, they captured 82 out of the 13 people on Snake Island and sank six boats out of sixteen who fired on them first. > **[‘Russian warship, go f\*\*k yourself’: the defiant last words of 13 Ukrainian...](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-soldiers-snake-island-russia-warship-b2023039.html)** > > President Zelensky hailed the border guards, saying they died ‘heroically’ and ‘did not give up’ > **[February 26, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news](https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-26-22/h_b669a7b9f3668b9579d3cb72c52647ac)** > > Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine early Thursday. A battle is underway for control of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. The US has warned Russia is seeking to encircle the city, and a Ukrainian official said it has... This is Russian propaganda intended to diminish and belittle the sacrifice of the people they have been murdering. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/533 "2022-02-28T12:41:11Z")
Says the Ukrainian Navy. 🤦🏻‍♂️ ---
**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 28, 2022, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/534 "2022-02-28T12:41:27Z")
And what’s their source? The Russians telling them that they’ve been captured? Even if they are alive, this only proves that they managed to fight to the death and live to tell the tale. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/535 "2022-02-28T12:51:59Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > My wife and I are convinced ( without any analysis, more just hit feel/opinion) that we’ll see NATO in Ukraine by the end of March. I posted this yesterday and, now seeing posts about Russian bringing in Su-34s and using the MLRS, and more I’m sure, I wonder how easily NATO can resist the temptation to intervene if the number of atrocities in NATO’s backyard start mounting, all the while being extremely visible in the media. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/536 "2022-02-28T12:59:24Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I’m skeptical of that one… the strongest farm tractors can pull about 8 tons, and an MT-LB weighs about 13 tons. Could be a YouTube stunt with someone driving inside. I do have to say, I share your skepticism, so you’re not the only one. But I suppose this is a minor point in the overall scheme of things. But I treat almost everything coming out of the conflict with skepticism. ---
**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:** [February 28, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/537 "2022-02-28T13:00:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > According to Russia, they captured 82 out of the 13 people on Snake Island and sank six boats out of sixteen who fired on them first. I can’t help but read this like a description of a fight by Sergeant Colon and Nobby Nobbs. In other news, the Russian threat of nuclear annihilation comes with a pre-emptive attack of comedy shade throwing: > **[Putin issued nuclear order in response to Liz Truss comments, Kremlin says](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/putin-ukraine-russia-truss-nuclear-b2024839.html)** > > ‘I will not name the authors of these statements, although it was the British foreign secretary’ > [@](#): > > “There were unacceptable statements about possible conflict situations and even confrontations and clashes between Nato and Russia,” said Mr Peskov. > > “I will not name the authors of these statements, although it was the British foreign secretary.” I mean, you gotta admit that right there is funny. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/538 "2022-02-28T13:03:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Did they know three years ago that the Russians would be painting Z’s on their tanks when they invaded Ukraine? It has to be contemporary. Knowing the information space is jammed with disinfo and fakes from every direction, why do you feel very confident that you’re seeing a tractor with a 5-ton towing capacity pulling a tracked armored vehicle that weighs 13 tons empty? > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Here’s another clip, looks like the same tractor and amphibious vehicle. No, the first vehicle was an MT-LB (tracked armored personnel carrier). The one in your clip appears to be an SA-8 (a 6-wheeled vehicular surface-to-air missile system - the missile launcher gives it away). The farm tractors in the 2 clips aren’t even the same color. I will say I can easily believe that a farm tractor can easily tow an SA-8. So the second clip is credible. ---
**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 28, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/539 "2022-02-28T13:10:31Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Knowing the information space is jammed with disinfo and fakes from every direction, why do you feel very confident that you’re seeing a tractor with a 5-ton towing capacity pulling a tracked vehicle that weighs 13 tons empty? Neither you or I know the model or pulling capacity of that particular tractor, and I’ve seen cites online that some farm tractors can haul up to 20 tons. It’s also entirely possible that the armored vehicle is running light due to parts or fixtures having been removed or that it has been “put in neutral” and the tractor does not have to fight the vehicle’s brakes, or that it is being towed downhill and gravity is doing some of the tractor’s work for it. It is clear that the video does not predate the invasion, so even if the tractor is not towing the vehicle under its own power, it still provides proof that Ukrainian citizens were able to seize and tow away an abandoned or captured Russian war machine. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/540 "2022-02-28T13:21:18Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Neither you or I know the model or pulling capacity of that particular tractor, and I’ve seen cites online that some farm tractors can haul up to 20 tons. It’s also entirely possible that the armored vehicle is running light due to parts or fixtures having been removed or that it has been “put in neutral” and the tractor does not have to fight the vehicle’s brakes, or that it is being towed downhill and gravity is doing some of the tractor’s work for it. Sure, when you put that many qualifications on it, then _anything_ is possible. Such as, a couple of goofballs making a homebrewed disinfo video with some stuff they found on the roadside. > [@Smapti](#): > > It is clear that the video does not predate the invasion, so even if the tractor is not towing the vehicle under its own power, it still provides proof that Ukrainian citizens were able to seize and tow away an abandoned or captured Russian war machine. How can you be so sure that this is a “captured Russian war machine”, given that Ukraine owns and operates over 1,500 of these MT-LB vehicles? It could as easily be Ukranian. A good rule of consuming wartime media is the more you want it to be true, the more you need to question it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=28)