# 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:** 346
**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:** [August 4, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6965 "2022-08-04T23:04:46Z")
Four HIMARS firing: > ---
**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:** [August 4, 2022, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6966 "2022-08-04T23:28:19Z")
The doctor can give that soldier a fungal creme for that condition. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6967 "2022-08-04T23:29:39Z")
The coordinates for the target will be entered prior to firing; one missile or all six. All can be individually targeted. The HIMARS is positioned and missiles fired - all can be sent within 60 seconds. Launch platform takes less than 30 seconds to move back to travel position. And they’re gone down the road. The missile also flies a “pop-up” trajectory which further hides the launch position from a counter-artillery radar. It would be luck to have an aircraft (helo or fighter) in the area to sight and track the HIMARS/M270. A MANPADS or two will be available to counter observation drones. We (the US and allies) with AWACS, PATRIOT radars, JSTARS radars, fighters overhead positioned in boxes, special forces inserted on the ground never halted or destroyed an Iraqi SCUD launcher during Desert Storm. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6968 "2022-08-04T23:32:37Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Four HIMARS firing What a beautiful video, thank you! US/western technology deployed against those barbaric fuckers! The HIMARS may well have been the most effective weapons systems yet provided to Ukraine – hopefully there are plans for lots more. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6969 "2022-08-04T23:36:29Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Hawley’s implicit argument is “the US is a weak country that can think about only one adversary at a time.” Weird thing for an ostensible patriot to believe. He’s not entirely wrong about that, either. After the Cold War, the Pentagon had an explicit policy of keeping the armed forces strong enough to be able to fight two major regional wars simultaneously. But the relative strength of the military has slowly been degrading over time. For the last few years, people who are in a position to know such things have been having serious doubts about our ability to continue that doctrine. > **[The US may not be able to fight two big wars at once](https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2018/10/04/can-the-us-fight-two-big-wars-at-once-new-report-casts-doubts/)** > > America's “marginal” military means the U.S. would struggle if forced to take on a second major conflict at the same time, a new report has found. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6970 "2022-08-04T23:38:47Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Russian artillery precision: Although as a mustachioed Russian once said, “Quantity has a quality all its own”: [Video](https://twitter.com/Ukraine66251776/status/1554985404251738112). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6971 "2022-08-05T02:09:23Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Russian artillery precision: They clearly hit the field they were aiming at. I think it’s an attempt to destabilize Ukrainian grain exports. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6972 "2022-08-05T03:00:22Z")
I guess I don’t look at sources that say such drivel. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6973 "2022-08-05T03:12:09Z")
Ukraine may have made an unfortunate strategic decision. To support an announced counter offensive in the south, Ukraine decided to move artillery from more north positions. That artillery would have indeed been important to support a counter offensive, But it left those areas, where the artillery was helping hold the front more stationary, exposed to attack. Which has happened. Russian forces are moving forward in those areas. Emboldened by a lack of artillery against them. For whatever reason, the counter offensive in the south has not yet happened. So for now the artillery is not being used effectively. It is a case of Ukraine still being short of equipment, hampering strategic decisions. But it may work out overall. That artillery can help hold the southern front till a counter offensive is started. But it is causing heavy losses of personnel and material in those areas now lacking artillery support. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6974 "2022-08-05T03:19:35Z")
I had to zoom in a lot. But I could see the From Russia with Love, with date, and location note left in each crater. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6975 "2022-08-05T03:24:14Z")
Russia likely sources the electronics it can’t make from the same sources as so many other countries do. Either directly, if not sanctioned, or by circuitous routes if there are sanctions. A lot of even western countries with large military, need to outsource a lot of stuff. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6976 "2022-08-05T04:01:00Z")
Yes, but other countries are able to outsource things at the present time. Russia while under sanctions? Nope, at least it’s far more difficult, and expensive. Trust me, if Ford is having a hard time sourcing chips, Russia is having a much worse time of it. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6977 "2022-08-05T04:05:13Z")
As i said. By circuitous routes, if under sanctions. Sanctions are far from airtight. You will pay extra to middlemen and other extra costs. But you can get it. Ford is under a greater cost benefit crunch. A government military budget is as we often see, and pay for in taxes, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6978 "2022-08-05T04:12:33Z")
Heh, ok. But Ford can pay for the chips. Russia can, if you want to be paid in Rubles. Plus, Ford will most likely be buying more of them, and can be relied on to buy them in the future. Russia cannot rely on volumes of scale or being considered a trustworthy customer. They’re going to pay dearly, if they can get them at all. If you think they aren’t operating under a budget just like Ford is, you’re deluding yourself. Putin has tried to do this on the cheap so far, and it shows. I don’t see them being likely to pay what is necessary to even build more tanks, much less to source the chips they’d need on the black market. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6979 "2022-08-05T04:16:15Z")
It occurs to me. Maybe there are already in place by most military procurement systems, dark procurement systems. Shell companies and such, second, third country purchase routes. Just to obscure what chips and such are being used in their arms. Maybe not all the time. But there for when needed. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6980 "2022-08-05T04:25:25Z")
Hehehe, maybe. I might be totally invisible, too. We have the same evidence of both. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6981 "2022-08-05T04:26:18Z")
Don’t delude yourself either. I think Russia has a few U.S. dollars and other currencies on hand. Also a lot of gold. There are also countries that will accept Rubles, as Russia will accept their currency. Russia has one of the best debt to GDP ratios. It is turning out that sanctions are hurting those imposing them, more than they are hurting Russia. There are certain places in it’s economy that are hurting. But overall not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6982 "2022-08-05T04:28:12Z")
Ruble to USD. Click on 1 year. You see it dips big on invasion. But then goes up. [https://www.google.ca/search?q=ruble+to+usd&source=hp&ei=H5zsYr3TD-LE9APupLXoCQ&iflsig=AJiK0e8AAAAAYuyqLyjLVxiwYIdvaS0zj8ae\_hqXHr62&ved=0ahUKEwj93u-J7q75AhViIn0KHW5SDZ0Q4dUDCAg&uact=5&oq=ruble+to+usd&gs\_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyDAgAELEDEEMQRhCCAjIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoFCAAQkQI6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6CgguELEDEIMBEEM6EQguEIAEELEDEIMBEMcBENEDOg4ILhCABBCxAxCDARDUAjoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6BAgAEEM6BwgAELEDEEM6BAguEEM6CwguEIAEELEDEIMBOggIABCABBCxAzoJCAAQQxBGEIICUABYvxtghh9oAHAAeACAAWSIAeoGkgEEMTEuMZgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz](https://www.google.ca/search?q=ruble+to+usd&source=hp&ei=H5zsYr3TD-LE9APupLXoCQ&iflsig=AJiK0e8AAAAAYuyqLyjLVxiwYIdvaS0zj8ae_hqXHr62&ved=0ahUKEwj93u-J7q75AhViIn0KHW5SDZ0Q4dUDCAg&uact=5&oq=ruble+to+usd&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyDAgAELEDEEMQRhCCAjIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoFCAAQkQI6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6CgguELEDEIMBEEM6EQguEIAEELEDEIMBEMcBENEDOg4ILhCABBCxAxCDARDUAjoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6BAgAEEM6BwgAELEDEEM6BAguEEM6CwguEIAEELEDEIMBOggIABCABBCxAzoJCAAQQxBGEIICUABYvxtghh9oAHAAeACAAWSIAeoGkgEEMTEuMZgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz) ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6983 "2022-08-05T04:51:28Z")
So if they have so much disposable funds in other denominations in hand, why do you switch to defending the value of the Ruble? ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6984 "2022-08-05T05:05:12Z")
Defending the value of the Ruble? I was illustrating it, to point out the fact that sanctions are not having as much effect as desired. What is it with this thread, that pointing out a verified fact in retort or explanation to the discussion is championing something? Someone points out something. With or without some backing link. Fine. I reply with my opinion, maybe with a backing link to fact. That is not championing something. It is replying with opinion and maybe fact to what someone has posted as opinion or fact. I don’t consider things you have said as championing anything. I suppose that you have posted an opinion or fact. I think about it. Compare it to my opinions and what I think are facts. And reply. I don’t suppose either of us has the perfect set of facts or opinions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=345) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=347)