# 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:** 292
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5885 "2022-05-24T06:29:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Boris Bondarev, 41, confirmed his resignation Am I the only one that first read this as Boris Badenov? > [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised however if some of the more experienced trainers are currently in NATO countries being trained on some of that advanced equipment should a longer-term situation require it. There have been reports of this, but nothing really specific. I can’t see giving Ukraine F-15s or M-1s. Even if we took the time to train them on their use, logistics would be a bear. It’s not like you only need a pilot and some missiles on a F-15, you also need people that can do repair and maintenance. Which means a steady supply of spare parts etc. Aircraft are notorious for maintenance. Best for everyone to keep supplying easily transportable equipment that is simpler to operate and maintain. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5886 "2022-05-24T06:40:53Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Am I the only one that first read this as Boris Badenov? I sure hope that hand basket is big enough for us all. ---
**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 24, 2022, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5887 "2022-05-24T11:56:06Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Am I the only one that first read this as Boris Badenov? No. No, you weren’t. ---
**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 24, 2022, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5888 "2022-05-24T13:58:57Z")
This is the first time I’ve heard about Ukraine’s railway vulnerability at Dnipro. Cutting Ukraine supply lines is a game changer. 1 min 19 sec video > **[Video: Retired Col.: It's game over here if Russians do this | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/05/24/russia-ukraine-railroads-dnipro-leighton-dlt-vpx.cnn)** > > CNN military analyst Col. Cedric Leighton (Ret.) explains why Russian forces are targeting Ukraine's railway infrastructure in the Dnipro region. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5889 "2022-05-24T14:13:06Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > This is the first time I’ve heard about Ukraine’s railway vulnerability at Dnipro. We tend in the west to hear from our media only one side’s narrative of this conflict. ---
**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 24, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5890 "2022-05-24T14:21:25Z")
True, but that’s also because the Russians are not very good with media relations and extraordinarily … skimpy … with truth. Ukrainians are much more open and see the advantage of letting western media in to see things from the Ukrainian perspective, without threatening to send journalists to jail for fifteen years if they deviate from the official line. It’s why western media have pulled out from Russia. ---
**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 24, 2022, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5891 "2022-05-24T14:26:24Z")
I’ve noticed the West’s news in Ukraine tilts positive. I seek out International news. The Guardian, Bbc News, Kyiv Independent. I recently found this Ukraine news site with a English version. Seems pretty balanced but obviously they support Ukraine. > **[News](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/)** > > News about Ukraine ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5892 "2022-05-24T14:35:06Z")
In discussing the possible options, one possibility is a stalemate, with Russia keeping the eastern Donbas strip, and some (endlessly?) continuing low level of hostilities. If that occurs, what do you believe the ongoing level of hostilities to be like? I would think that Western-supported Ukrainian artillery would be able to basically make the occupied areas - um - pretty difficult to exploit, in terms of natural resources, ports, transportation… And what level of strikes would Russia continue to launch into the western part of Ukraine? Is there any way for the west to formalize their defense agreements with Ukraine? So long as a part of Ukraine is occupied, if a nation or NATO agrees to mutual defense, wouldn’t doing so essentially be a declaration of war against Russia? ---
**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 24, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5893 "2022-05-24T14:40:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > This is the first time I’ve heard about Ukraine’s railway vulnerability at Dnipro. > > Cutting Ukraine supply lines is a game changer. > > 1 min 19 sec video > [https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/05/24/russia-ukraine-railroads-dnipro-leighton-dlt-vpx.cnn](https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/05/24/russia-ukraine-railroads-dnipro-leighton-dlt-vpx.cnn) If it would be so disastrous would people and the media please STFU about it? Loose lips sink ships, am I the only person who remembers that? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2022, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5894 "2022-05-24T14:42:57Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > If it would be so disastrous would people and the media please STFU about it? Loose lips sink ships, am I the only person who remembers that? Even as incompetent as the Russian military has proven itself, they know where the Ukrainian bridges and rail centers are. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5895 "2022-05-24T15:01:08Z")
Exactly. It’s in plain sight, I’m sure the Russians have noticed it. Actually mustering brainpower and other needed resources to exploit it is another matter. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5896 "2022-05-24T17:40:18Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > If it would be so disastrous would people and the media please STFU about it? Loose lips sink ships, am I the only person who remembers that? 1. CNN doesn’t hire the brightest folks. 2. That said, information is a weapon of war and the US government is almost certainly involved in the fight on at least the informational front. While we can probably be certain that the earlier leaks about the US helping Ukraine to target Russian generals was not approved for media release (and might not be correct), this one could be. I’m not sure what the purpose would be but this could be a _conscious_ military choice to send attention to this particular strategic idea. ---
**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 24, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5897 "2022-05-24T18:03:04Z")
The rails are replaceable. You have to grade and rebuild the rail bed. Gravel, New wood ties and rails. Your back in business. The rail infra-structure in the US is very old. It requires regular maintenance. Some of the men from my high school work for the railways. Bombs makes it more difficult. You need a dozer and trucks of dirt to regrade the land. You could get dirt in an emergency by digging close to the rails. Avoid trucking in dirt. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5898 "2022-05-24T18:06:20Z")
[Russian Major General Shot Down Over Ukraine – BBC Russian - The Moscow Times](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/05/24/russian-major-general-shot-down-over-ukraine-bbc-russian-a77788) > Major General Kanamat Botashev has become the highest-ranking Russian pilot to be killed in the skies over Ukraine, the BBC’s Russian service [reported](https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-61559430) Tuesday. > > The 63-year-old retired general had been flying a Su-25 fighter jet over the Luhansk region on Sunday when the aircraft was targeted by a Stinger shoulder-fired missile system, the BBC reported, citing three of Botashev’s former subordinates who spoke on condition of anonymity. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5899 "2022-05-24T18:13:17Z")
On NPR this morning they were talking about the number of Russian aircraft purportedly lost so far. I think the number was 200+. The Ukrainian spokesperson said most of this happened early in the war and now manned Russian aircraft rarely enter Ukrainian airspace and instead launch their weapons from Russia. If true, this seems to be a pretty big deal. With artillery that can outrange Russia’s, that would seem to give UA a significant advantage. I know its more complicated that just that but control of the airspace is nearly mandatory when trying to take and hold territory. At least, without incurring significant losses. ---
**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 24, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5900 "2022-05-24T18:29:38Z")
> ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5901 "2022-05-24T18:33:28Z")
The only beef I have with Switchblade onboard footage, is unless you’ve got other eyes on target, you don’t get any Battle Damage Assessment. It looks like it might have been veering toward the far edge of the tank’s body. Didn’t look like it was going to be a turret hit. Maybe it knocked the tank out, maybe it didn’t. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5902 "2022-05-24T18:36:19Z")
After the comments in the discussion I looked a little closer - the crew was outside, so presumably they are no more, which disables the tank until they can be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2022, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5903 "2022-05-24T18:44:08Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > The only beef I have with Switchblade onboard footage, is unless you’ve got other eyes on target, you don’t get any Battle Damage Assessment. It looks like it might have been veering toward the far edge of the tank’s body. Didn’t look like it was going to be a turret hit. Maybe it knocked the tank out, maybe it didn’t. Fair point. The big Switchblade has a range of 25 miles, and even the small one is good for 6 miles: > **[AeroVironment Switchblade](https://en.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 the way the spring-loaded wings are folded up inside a tube and flip out once released. > Introduced in 2011, the original Switchblade was rebranded the ... ---
**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 24, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/5904 "2022-05-24T18:45:14Z")
There appear to be two crew standing on the tank, and one of them looks like he might even see the drone as it approaches impact. Maybe that’s why the video ends when it does. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=291) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=293)