# 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:** 275
**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:** [May 9, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5545 "2022-05-09T21:24:57Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > They also canceled their flyover’s due to weather. > > They _said_ they cancelled the flyover due to weather. We all know how reliable statements coming out of Russia can be these days. Exactly. And the weather in Moscow today looked really decent for flying. Obviously there was another reason. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > he “weather” was probably a lack of parts for the planes. Could be. > [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [https://twitter.com/JackDetsch/status/1523676670443409410](https://twitter.com/JackDetsch/status/1523676670443409410) As bad as that sounds… consider that Putin’s Russia has recently changed adoption laws to make sending those kids to “proper” Russian families easier. The plan being to erase the fact they were ever Ukrainian. > [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > No-one in the outside world knows what happens to the people who are “filtered out” from these camps Not entirely true - there seems to be a bit of an ad hoc underground railroad across Russia. Some people are escaping the camps and getting out of the country. I expect we’ll be hearing more about that in the future. Apparently what’s happening so far is that their ID documents are being taken away (which makes internal travel in Russia nearly impossible), they’re being housed at set locations, not permitted to leave, and apparently being assigned work of some sort. Which is not to rule out other things occurring, too. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5546 "2022-05-09T21:37:13Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The “weather” was probably a lack of parts for the planes. I was part of an ancient text-MUD back in the transition era to high speed so the folks on dial-up sometimes had serious lag issues. To keep somewhat in character, in complaining they would refer to it as “weather.” _Boy, the weather is awful this morning._ ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5547 "2022-05-09T21:48:07Z")
So, technical question: When the United States gives 90 howitzers to Ukraine, where are they from? Are they being taken out of some active Army unit’s inventory, or does America just have a few hundred spares lying around in a warehouse at all times? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5548 "2022-05-09T21:57:25Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Are they being taken out of some active Army unit’s inventory, or does America just have a few hundred spares lying around in a warehouse at all times? Yes. My guess is that we are sending materiel that was replaced by the latest models and is in storage at various bases around the planet. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5549 "2022-05-09T21:58:27Z")
But the stuff we’re sending Ukraine **is** the latest. M777 howitzers, for instance, are the latest - they are the most modern version, not something old and replaced-already. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5550 "2022-05-09T22:04:27Z")
Then some units are going to have their upgrades delayed for a bit. No idea how they decide which units. If I were in charge I would give the Ukrainians stuff that was already in-theater. That will piss off [41st FAB](https://www.41fab.army.mil/), but what are they gonna do? ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5551 "2022-05-09T22:13:23Z")
Take notes from the Ukrainians on how the new systems perform in an actual war. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5552 "2022-05-09T22:29:54Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > Take notes from the Ukrainians on how the new systems perform in an actual war . Had this same thought – there may be very new materiel that the U.S. military is interested in trying out in theater. ---
**Author:** ![filmstar-en](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5553 "2022-05-09T23:02:26Z")
I am sure there is no finer test of what military hardware works well and what does not. Nato countries seem to have gone from clearing out old inventory to - Here! Try this! Equipment that is battle tested against the Russian military will surely command a premium in future arms sales. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5554 "2022-05-10T00:12:56Z")
Can’t recall where I first saw it, but here’s an apt term for the fires in Russia: Special Combustion Operations ---
**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:** [May 10, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5555 "2022-05-10T00:21:40Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > They also canceled their flyover’s due to weather. > > They _said_ they cancelled the flyover due to weather. We all know how reliable statements coming out of Russia can be these days. This is what the weather was like in Moscow during the parade – a partial cloud cover. Sure doesn’t look like bad weather to me. Maybe the airbase experienced one of those mysterious fires that are popping up all over. Or maybe too many planes were missing engines or instrumentation – the kinds of things that have black market value. 😉 [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSTMKxZXsAA0QDY.jpg:large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSTMKxZXsAA0QDY.jpg:large) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5556 "2022-05-10T00:37:39Z")
They seriously might have been afraid of a stinger missile taking down their doomsday plane en-route to the fly-over. It was supposed to be the main attraction. ---
**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:** [May 10, 2022, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5557 "2022-05-10T00:41:40Z")
From what I read, the main attraction (or at least, one of the high points of the planned flyover) was to have been 77 fighter jets (symbolizing the 77th anniversary of V-E day), flying in a “Z” formation. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5558 "2022-05-10T01:03:41Z")
I don’t think they’ve ever included a doomsday plane in their celebration. It was supposed to be another saber rattle referencing nuclear war. Apparently they ran out of victory Viagra. He looked like a little old man in a retirement home with the blanket on his legs. ---
**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:** [May 10, 2022, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5559 "2022-05-10T04:51:29Z")
CNN: [‘Putin and his circle are doomed.’ Russian journalists post articles critical of invasion on pro-Kremlin site](https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-05-09-22/h_0c3bda10ff40ad543af00b4d89714d7b) > [@](#): > > Each article on [the pro-Kremlin website] started with the same urgent plea under the headline. > > > [@](#): > > > > "Disclaimer: This material is not approved by the state, therefore the presidential administration will delete it… In other words: TAKE A SCREENSHOT URGENTLY before it’s deleted.” ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5560 "2022-05-10T12:06:17Z")
I heard that the Wayback Machine got all of it. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5561 "2022-05-10T13:03:39Z")
Interesting article from the NYTimes, reprinted in an Indian paper, on Russia’s assumption that they’d be welcomed by Ukrainians: > **[Russia’s Grave Miscalculation: Ukrainians Would Collaborate](https://indianexpress.com/article/world/russia-grave-miscalculation-ukraine-7906325/lite/)** > > Besides their military failures, the Russians entered the war believing they could persuade Ukrainians in the east to join their side. Those efforts have failed spectacularly. ---
**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:** [May 10, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5562 "2022-05-10T13:18:30Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Interesting article from the NYTimes, reprinted in an Indian paper, on Russia’s assumption that they’d be welcomed by Ukrainians: Hey, it worked for the US in Iraq! /s ---
**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:** [May 10, 2022, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5563 "2022-05-10T14:35:42Z")
You consider Putin’s speech a step towards De-escalation? It’s good news he didn’t declare all out war in Ukraine . No state conscription. This speech could have been very inflammatory towards NATO. [Putin’s Victory Day Speech Forgoes an Opportunity to Escalate Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine | Institute for the Study of War](https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/putin%E2%80%99s-victory-day-speech-forgoes-opportunity-escalate-russia%E2%80%99s-invasion-ukraine) > [@](#): > > **Key Takeaways:** > > - **Russian President Vladimir Putin used his May 9 speech to praise ongoing Russian efforts in Ukraine and reinforce existing Kremlin framing rather than announcing a change. He did not announce an escalation or declare victory in the Russian war in Ukraine.** > - **Putin likely calculated that he could not ask the Russian population for a greater commitment to the war effort and implicitly reassured the Russian people that he would not ask for a greater societal commitment in his speech.** > - **Putin may be recognizing the growing risks he faces at home and in Ukraine and may be adjusting his objectives, and his desired end state in Ukraine, accordingly.** > - **The Kremlin has already scaled down its objectives in Ukraine (from its initial objective of capturing Kyiv and full regime change) and will likely do so again—or be forced to do so by Ukrainian battlefield successes.** > - **Regardless of any change—or lack thereof—in the Kremlin’s objectives, Putin’s speech indicates that the Kremlin has likely decided to maintain its current level of resourcing in the war.** > - **The Kremlin attempted to demonstrate the alleged popularity of its occupation of eastern Ukraine through forced Victory Day celebrations in occupied Ukrainian territories.** ---
**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:** [May 10, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5564 "2022-05-10T15:45:59Z")
Here’s a screenshot of the articles posted on the pro-Kremlin website (translated into English): [![](https://i.imgur.com/krnJ9hU.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/krnJ9hU.png) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=274) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=276)