# 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:** 347
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6985 "2022-08-05T07:28:24Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > Ruble to USD. Click on 1 year. You see it dips big on invasion. But then goes up. The Ruble has indeed stayed strong against the USD. This article goes into some detail how: > **[Russia's ruble is the strongest currency in the world this year](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-ruble-currency-russian-economy-sanctioms-2022/)** > > After its value plunged to less than a U.S. penny, the ruble is now trading 40% higher than before Russia attacked Ukraine. Why? The stated reasons are: - Commodity prices are currently sky-high - Russia’s central bank has implemented strict capital controls that make it harder to convert it to other currencies - Russian exporters are required to convert half of their excess revenues into rubles - Westerns businesses that are exiting the Russian market are not able to export significant capital These are short-term fixes and Russia is still suffering from the sanctions: - Russian oil is selling for $35 per barrel less than Brent crude - Inflation rate in Russia is more than double that of the U.S. – Regardless whether one supports Ukraine or Russia in this war, the fact is Russia has been denied access to a significant portion of the global economy. Russia can continue to sell resources at a discount to India, Pakistan, and China, but the negative impact to the Russian economy is unavoidable. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2022, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6986 "2022-08-05T10:49:30Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > I am not championing Russia. Yes, you are. (More on that later) > [@Kedikat](#): > > This is a terrible war. A waste of life and destruction. I include this as something we all in fact agree upon. > [@Kedikat](#): > > I personally think Russia could have been a bit more patient regarding negotiating about NATO membership and even pressing more diplomatically over actually enforcing the Minsk agreement. 1. Russia has zero right to say who does and does not join NATO 2. The “Minsk agreement” was only ever worth the paper it was written on. In case that’s not clear, it was a verbal agreement - no paper, no actual agreement. 3. The Russian government is certainly allowed an opinion about what other nations do, but that does not extend to imposing their opinion on other, sovereign nations > [@Kedikat](#): > > If that failed. I would have hoped Russia would have only fully mobilized into only into the Donbass areas that had declared independence. And this is where you champion Russia In 1992 Ukraine signed the Lisbon Protocol - unlike the Minsk agreement this was a real agreement on real paper - as did the Russian Federation. Ukraine also joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear state. As part of all this Ukraine sent all of its nuclear weapons to the Russia Federation in return for the RF pledging to respect is borders and sovereignity. Which Russia very clearly has not done. The Donbas areas have not, in fact, declared independence. The Russian Parliament declared they were independent, but that’s like the UK declaring Normandy, France is an “independent” state and stating they’re going to invade to protect it from the evil French government. > [@Kedikat](#): > > Nations have their security concerns. All through history a nation will go to war when those concerns are pressed far enough. Ukraine was ZERO threat to the Russia Federation. Aside from being smaller, poorer, and having a smaller military, it had surrendered its nuclear capability in return for a promise for its borders to be respected. NATO is not a threat to Russia (except in the mind of some Russians who, regrettably, seem to be in charge there). Don’t want NATO to fight you? Don’t attack a NATO member. The only thing NATO was a threat to here was Russia ambition to conquer a weaker neighbor. Russia started this war, full stop. It is entirely the fault of Russia, no one else. > [@Kedikat](#): > > I wish that there would be an immediate ceasefire. Which could easily happen if Russia just stopped shooting at Ukraine. They started this war, they could end it. > [@Kedikat](#): > > The Donbass areas be granted independence. Why? Because the Kremlin wants that? Again, no one declared it “independent” other than the Russian Parliament, who should have zero say on what slicing up a sovereign neighbor. > [@Kedikat](#): > > Crimea hold another referendum to ensure it be validated internationally. Again, here are you championing Russia 1. Crimea was given to Ukraine during the breakup up the USSR and was part of Ukraine, and should have been left Ukrainian by Russia as everyone agreed to in 1992. 2. It is well known that Russia interfered with Crimea in 2014 and were the source of the “little green men” that lead to it breaking away. 3. No referendum of the actual Crimeans was held until AFTER the Russians took over. > [@Kedikat](#): > > Ukraine and Russia sign a nonaggression pact. They did so. In the early 1990’s. Which was been violated ONLY by Russia. Why don’t you want to hold Russia to what Russia agreed to? Which is why everyone and their brother anywhere near the Russia border is now running to join NATO, because clearly Russia regards “agreements”, “pacts”, and “treaties” as toilet paper. > [@Kedikat](#): > > The Donbass and Crimea regions become a free trade zone between West and East. The Donbas and Crimea are part of Ukraine and no one should be slicing them off. What next? You want to slice Montana and California off the US? Remove Cornwall from the UK? Perhaps pull Bavaria out of Germany or declare Burgundy independent of French oppression? > [@Kedikat](#): > > Ukraine nation be neutral Ukraine WAS neutral. Very, very carefully neutral. And look what happened to them. No one in their right mind is going to remain neutral in the face of Russian aggression. That is why oh-so-very-very neutral Finland is now joining NATO. You are very much a champion of Russian interests here. I disagree with you even as I uphold your right to disagree (a right people in Russia no longer have, as even calling the war a war gets you a prison sentence these days). I would prefer that you be _honest_ about your opinion and which side you’re on - the Russian side. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6987 "2022-08-05T11:05:50Z")
_applause_ ---
**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:** [August 5, 2022, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6988 "2022-08-05T11:17:47Z")
Excuse me but is this your microphone? You appear to have dropped it. ---
**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 5, 2022, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6989 "2022-08-05T11:18:51Z")
The war’s objectives are getting quite complicated for both parties. ISW explains Russa’s difficult choices. Where should they position their troops? Ukraine has a similar problem. They’ve began an offensive strategy in Kherson and allowed Russia time to send additional troops and prepare defenses. A full assault on Kherson will be very costly. Cite: [Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 4 | Institute for the Study of War](https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-4) > [@](#): > > **Ukraine is likely seizing the strategic initiative and forcing Russia to reallocate forces and reprioritize efforts in response to Ukrainian counteroffensive operations.** Russian forces are increasingly transferring personnel and equipment to Kherson and western Zaporizhia Oblasts at the expense of their efforts to seize Slovyansk and Siversk, which they appear to have abandoned. Russian forces are also redeploying military equipment – artillery and aviation in particular – to Crimea from elsewhere in Ukraine. Russian forces have previously withdrawn from or suspended offensive operations on Kharkiv City and the southern axis to prioritize capturing Luhansk Oblast, but they did so on their own initiative based on the changing priorities of their commanders. Russian forces in this case appear to be responding to the Ukrainian counteroffensive threat in Kherson Oblast rather than deliberately choosing objectives on which to concentrate their efforts. Even after Ukrainian forces defeated the Russian attempt to seize Kyiv early in the war, the Russians were able to choose freely to concentrate their operations in the east. Ukraine’s preparations for the counteroffensive in Kherson and the initial operations in that counteroffensive combined with the dramatic weakening of Russian forces generally appear to be allowing Ukraine to begin actively shaping the course of the war for the first time. > > **The seriousness of the dilemma facing the Russian high command likely depends on Ukraine’s ability to sustain significant counteroffensive operations on multiple axes simultaneously.** If Ukraine is able to press hard around Izyum as it continues rolling into the counteroffensive in Kherson, then Russian forces will begin confronting very difficult choices. They will likely need to decide either to abandon their westward positions around Izyum in favor of defending their ground lines of communications (GLOCs) further north and east or to commit more personnel and equipment to try to hold the current front line. Such forces would have to come from another axis, however, putting other Russian gains at risk. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2022, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6990 "2022-08-05T11:22:17Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > So every nation can peel off a layer of the citizens and land on their borders for this? As opposed to what Russia is doing, which is peeling off a layer of _another country_ that doesn’t belong to them? How about Russia stop threatening its neighbors? Despite the addled, paranoid fantasies of the Kremlin absolutely _no one_ was threatening Russia. If Russia stayed within its borders (which are quite extensive - they still have the largest land area of any nation on the planet) no one would have the least interest of entering into armed conflict with them. The rest of the planet would be _very happy_ to leave Russia alone within its own borders. > [@Kedikat](#): > > They have not been aggressive. But they have been used in the past as an invasion route to Russia. A sad fact of geography, not one particularly of Ukraine as aggressor. And in the past Canada invaded the United States and burned down the White House! But the US isn’t using that as an excuse to invade and take over Canada. Your statement basically says that because of geography Ukraine has no right to exist and must be part of Russia. OK, then what bit of land will Russia demand after that, with the excuse that bit was used to invade ~~Ukraine~~ the Cossack Oblast? > [@Kedikat](#): > > NATO has very obviously for decades cast Russia as an enemy. Yeah, them aiming a shit-ton of nuclear warheads at the member nations of NATO had a LOT to do with that (and before you bring it up - yes, we know there were NATO nations pointing them at the USSR, which was entirely justified to have its own defensive alliance). The USSR, and later Russia, also cast the US and NATO as enemies. Please stop pretending Russia is some poor, innocent bystander of the Cold War instead of one of the main instigators of it. > [@Kedikat](#): > > So it seems quite logical for Russia to be concerned about a bordering country to join NATO. Invading and taking over Ukraine puts _multiple_ NATO nations on the new Russian border so that’s bullshit. It also backfired spectacularly since as a direct result of this war Finland - oh so very, very neutral Finland - is now joining NATO which will put NATO right on the Russian border. Yeah, that worked as planned by Putin (not). > [@Kedikat](#): > > As I have said before. What if Canada or Mexico decided to join the Russian federation and host military bases and missiles. > The U.S. would take care of business. Fifty two stars on the flag. Yes, that’s why Cuba is a US state… oh, wait, it’s not. Maybe you’re too young/didn’t pay attention in history class, but in 1962 Cuba did _exactly_ that - joined up with Russia and missiles were on their way to the island to be based there. Your predicted outcome did not occur. > [@Kedikat](#): > > As I noted, NATO, which had dangled membership to Ukraine, and that some governments of Ukraine wished to join, does consider Russia an enemy. NATO did not “dangle” membership over Ukraine, NATO has standards for membership (as does the EU for that matter) and it is up to Ukraine to either meet the standards or not. Also, Ukraine is a sovereign nation and Russia has no more right to dictate what alliances Ukraine can or can’t join than Ukraine has a right to dictate the same to Russia. > [@Kedikat](#): > > When a democratically elected government in Ukraine was favorable to relations with Russia. That government was deposed, very violently. Not by democratic means. > A portion of Ukraine citizens decided that their votes were more legitimate than riots, and decided to leave the now undemocratic Ukraine. > So is it better for Ukraine to attack those people, or for Russia to defend those people? _Why the hell do you think Russia has ANY right to interfere in another nation?_ Russia has NO right to “defend” the dissenters in another nation. In fact, they’d scream bloody murder (and have) if anyone speaks up for THEIR dissenters. “My guy lost” is NOT a valid reason to riot, stage a coup _or invite another country to invade your country_ The fact you think there is some direct, unquestionable line between “Ukraine has internal problems” and “Russia invades” demonstrates, once again, you are a Russian apologist. Again - I defend your right to your opinion but be honest about where your allegiance lies. > [@Kedikat](#): > > Oh come on now. Russia is cast as the big bad evil empire constantly. Not paranoid for them to think some folks might have it out for them. Russia has been paranoid for its entire history, and has consistently responded to that paranoia by invading and taking over its neighbors. Hey, at least they’re consistent. The US is _also_ cast as a Big Evil Empire (with some justification) and yet they aren’t invading their immediate neighbors to create a “buffer zone” between them and others. Nor do either Mexico or Canada feel a need to militarize their borders with the US. The US and Russia are not alike and your whataboutism is invalid and does not apply. > [@Kedikat](#): > > I really wish we could get over the fear of someone wanting to rule the world, and the desire of some to try and rule the world. It would get us a lot further towards that goal if Russia would stop invading its neighbors and trying to absorb them. ---
**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 5, 2022, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6991 "2022-08-05T11:30:37Z")
Training the Ukrainian troops is a necessity. Thr Mozart group is training front line troops on the essentials of shooting and improving their chances on the battlefield. Ukraine has done an amazing job using soldiers that were ordinary civilians just seven months ago. But training has to be stepped up. Cite: [Mozart Group: the western ex-military personnel training Ukrainian recruits | Ukraine | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/05/mozart-group-western-ex-military-training-ukrainian-recruits) > [@](#): > > “Only one out of this group of 40 had zeroed his weapon before the training started,” says Milburn as he walks through the scrub to the makeshift training ground. Zeroing a weapon means aligning the sights so you can accurately aim at a target. “That’s the first thing you do,” says Milburn. > > The Ukrainian troops are trained close to the frontline as their commanders cannot risk their soldiers being away from the battlefield for too long in case the Russians try to advance. Ideally these groups would be training 100 to 120 men at a time but they can’t afford to take them from their positions, says Milburn. > > “It’s backwards: you don’t go to combat first and then come back to be trained,” Dathan agrees. “The Ukrainian government doesn’t want to say that most of their military isn’t really trained. But they are trying to fight the Russians who, luckily enough, aren’t trained either. > [@](#): > > From speaking to Ukrainian troops and commanders, Alex and Milburn agree that US and western weapons systems and military equipment are not being used or distributed correctly due to Ukrainians lacking training and skills. > > “They are not deploying the weapons,” said Alex, who, during his seven and a half years with the British military, specialised and trained in the use of Javelins and NLAWs, hi-tech US and UK anti-tank weapons, the use of which proved pivotal in Ukraine’s success in pushing Russia back from Kyiv in March. > > Alex says he understands from conversations with commanders that without the proper training, the $178,000 Javelins systems are being misused or becoming redundant, with sophisticated sight batteries running out before the rockets are fired. “They are not getting the training they need,” says Alex. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2022, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6992 "2022-08-05T12:03:14Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > NATO has attacked other countries. Fact. Not fact. Countries that happens to be members of NATO have attacked, even invaded, other countries but _NATO_ has not. I get the sense that Russia (and you) view NATO as the equivalent of the USSR. It is not, and never has been. NATO has never threatened to attack Russia, only to defend against Russia. If Russia leaves its neighbors alone NATO leaves Russia alone. This is really not a difficult concept. > [@Kedikat](#): > > They have not desired expansion for a long time now. Funny - Putin’s irrendentist screed earlier this year contradicts that. He called for restoring the full extent of the Russia Empire and the feelings of those that would be mowed under be damned. > [@Kedikat](#): > > So the U.S. via NATO, Ukraine, stirs the pot. Again, NATO is not the USSR. The US does not control what member nations do, indeed, there have been all sorts of conflicts, disagreements, and various NATO nations acting contrary to the desires of the US. Also, Ukraine is not and never has been a member of NATO. NATO has never had a say in what Ukraine does. Ukraine is not a puppet of anyone (indeed, their refusal to be such is why they are fighting this war). Ukraine was never going to “stir the pot” on behalf of anyone else. Indeed, opposing the wishes of the US President Trump impacted it’s military readiness for this conflict. Yet another argument of yours refuted. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > > [@Kedikat](#): > > > > But in return they requested that NATO not expand around them. > > Why do you think other countries felt/feel the need to apply for NATO membership? Could it be because they thought Russia might invade? Of course, Russia would never invade another country. Oh, wait… ^ This. > [@Kedikat](#): > > I am stating, not defending, some of Russia’s incentives for this. Stating facts is not championing them. Except that some of your facts are not facts at all. You are entitled to your own opinion. You are NOT entitled to your own facts apart from actual factual facts. > [@Kedikat](#): > > I do in fact think that it is the U.S. that is mostly to blame for it coming to war. Not Ukraine itself. But the U.S. setting up Ukraine to use as a proxy. Except Ukraine is NOT, and never has been, a proxy for the United States. Indeed, under the Trump administration they were penalized for NOT kowtowing to a US President. Again, you can have your own opinion but not your own facts. RUSSIA started this war by invading its neighbor. No one else started this war. > [@Kedikat](#): > > I feel that certain parts of the U.S. government are willing to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian. They why did the US offer Zelenskyy a ride out of the country? Why are you so resistant to the notion that is it the _choice of the Ukrainians_ to oppose Russia? Why do you deny Ukraine it’s autonomy? > [@Kedikat](#): > > He does not need to be a dictator. He has the popular approval. Yeah, right - “popular approval” in a nation where calling a war a war can get you a decade in prison. Claims of Putin’s approval rating are not credible in a nation where anything other than parroting the party line gets you jail time. > [@Cervaise](#): > > > [@Kedikat](#): > > > > Russia is cast as the big bad evil empire constantly. > > If they don’t want to be called evil, then maybe they should stop doing evil things like invading their neighbors, committing brutal war crimes, and engaging in destructive cyberwarfare against nations and private organizations that have not been aggressive against Russia. You forgot flamboyant assassinations by using polonium and highly advanced chemical weapons in other nations like the UK. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2022, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6993 "2022-08-05T13:05:53Z")
Good arguments here. I would add that, like most autocrats, when Putin talks about a threat to Russia what he really means is it is a threat to him personally. And that he believes that Russia can only survive with himself at the helm. Seen through that lens Ukraine IS a threat to Russia because a democratic and successful Ukraine demonstrates to Russians that there is a way to get a better quality of life if they were to reject Putin. And without Putin there is no Russia. Ridiculous of course but it is an internally consistent argument and shows why Putin sympathisers can believe that Ukraine is a threat. They think that Russia will be ended by western democratic values. IMO If you think Russia should remain under Putin’s grip, and especially if you think this without even being on the payroll, then you need your head examined. Russia can and should be a much greater country. How much incredible Russian culture or science has the world missed out on because of Putin’s desire to enrich himself off the backs of the people he professes to work for. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2022, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6994 "2022-08-05T13:59:35Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > So what are the odds that Russia will develop a work-around on their vulnerability to HIMARS attacks? As you may have heard, Ukraine caused a stir when HIMARS hit the Antonivsky bridge eliminating the most direct military supply route to Kherson. Russians have responded by creating pontoon bridges, and a ferry system over the Dnipro River. Also, they’ve placed a number of radar reflectors around the Antonivsky bridge in an attempt to create a ‘ghost bridge’ to confuse HIMARS. It remains to be seen how effective this workaround will be. [Russia Is Building ‘Ghost Bridges’ With Radar Reflectors In Ukraine (thedrive.com)](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/russia-building-ghost-bridges-with-radar-reflectors-in-ukraine) ---
**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 5, 2022, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6995 "2022-08-05T14:59:35Z")
Russian surveillance drones have infra red cameras and cell phone tracking. Does that mean a commander could be targeted by a phone in his pocket? Cell phones always ping towers regardless if they are in use. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/306wDjZ99Fo/hqdefault.jpg "CNN gets first look at a captured Russian drone. See what was found inside") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=306wDjZ99Fo) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6996 "2022-08-05T15:21:16Z")
If you are walking around with an active phone in your pocket, your location is probably known even before moving in a drone. Plenty of people killed that way: > **[The NSA’s Secret Role in the U.S. Assassination Program](https://theintercept.com/2014/02/10/the-nsas-secret-role/)** > > The National Security Agency is using complex analysis of electronic surveillance, rather than human intelligence, as the primary method to locate targets for lethal drone strikes – an unreliable tactic that results in the deaths of innocent or... ---
**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:** [August 5, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6997 "2022-08-05T15:41:23Z")
Radar reflectors sound pretty useless considering that HIMARS is using GPS-guided rockets. ---
**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, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6998 "2022-08-05T15:51:41Z")
I also thought that. I think the only way that Russian missile defense has improved at HIMARS is probably the accumulation of radar track information. Maybe the HIMAR missiles have aspects that can be seen amongst other ones? But HIMARS are still getting through. I really liked the Ukraine strategy of mass launches, sneaking in HIMARS amongst them or timed for Russian reload downtime. ---
**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, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/6999 "2022-08-05T15:57:55Z")
I think the Ukrainians figured that out pretty quick, they likely already new it. But some of their forces are not regular Ukraine military. Not as disciplined. Also lots of civilians in the areas. Maybe intel can be surmised by just noting a large movement of civilians away from or to an area? Movements that can indicate a vehicle or group of vehicles. Cell phone positions and movement is like some weird radar. ---
**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 5, 2022, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/7000 "2022-08-05T17:20:28Z")
More Rashism on display on Russian state media: “Ukraine is part of the historical Russia. Ukraine as a country never existed”. > > **[Ruscism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashism)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Ruscism, also known as Rashism,\[a\] Russism,\[b\] or Russian fascism,\[c\] is a term used by a number of scholars, politicians and publicists to describe the political ideology and social practices of the Russian authorities during the rule of Vladimir Putin, in English ruscism is a portmanteau that combines 'russian' and fascism. It is also used to refer to the ideology of Russian military expansionism, and has been used as a label to describe an un... Also, there’s a photo going around of - allegedly - heads impaled on spikes in Russian-occupied Popasna. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/7001 "2022-08-05T17:38:32Z")
I have been seeing some spitballing that the North Koreans might send troop to help Russia for the smallest of honoraria. Great fun, thousands of PDRK troops deserting in eastern Europe. ---
**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 5, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/7002 "2022-08-05T17:57:26Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Also, there’s a photo going around of - allegedly - heads impaled on spikes in Russian-occupied Popasna. Actually, it may be one head and two hands. On the ground in front is the bottom half of a body - minus the top half - in boots and military fatigues. Meanwhile, Bellingcat has done an investigation into the Ukrainian POW who was castrated and murdered by Russian forces: > **[Tracking the Faceless Killers who Mutilated and Executed a Ukrainian POW -...](https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2022/08/05/tracking-the-faceless-killers-who-mutilated-and-executed-a-ukrainian-pow/)** > > In a series of gruesome videos, a man wearing a cowboy hat mutilates a Ukrainian prisoner of war before murdering him. Open source evidence suggests the involvement of a Chechen-led paramilitary group. ---
**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 5, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/7003 "2022-08-05T21:17:43Z")
Ukrainian tanks on their way to the Kherson offensive: > _Sláva Ukrayíni!_ ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2022, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/7004 "2022-08-06T00:22:31Z")
As requested, I will not reply to that bunch of stuff. But feel free to continue if allowed. Folks here always have interesting things to say. I do not feel it necessary to silence them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=346) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=348)