# 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:** 427
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8587 "2022-09-26T13:53:30Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > > [@aceplace57](#): > > > > The UN troops wouldn’t be expected to fight a war. They’re border guards with rifles. No threat to the Russians. > > If they’re no threat there’s no purpose in them being there. They’re no threat to Russia unless Russia attacks. In that case, there would be a violent UN response. But they’re no threat to Russia unless Russia refuses to respect their authority. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8588 "2022-09-26T13:55:21Z")
Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin are home in Britain and appeared on a morning tv show. Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman was involved in helping to free the 5 British nationals. I remember it seemed unlikely any of the British men would survive after Mariupol was captured. > **[Five British POWs released from Ukraine after being held by Russian forces |...](https://www.itv.com/news/2022-09-21/five-british-prisoners-of-war-released-after-being-held-by-russian-forces)** > > Aiden Aslin, a Briton who was sentenced to death by a pro-Russian court in Ukraine, is among those who have been released. | ITV National News > **[Brit POW says Russian forces stunned him with cattle prod for being West Ham...](https://www.itv.com/news/2022-09-26/brit-pow-says-russian-forces-stunned-him-with-cattle-prod-for-being-west-ham-fan)** > > Shaun Pinner, one of five British nationals released by Russian forces, has spoken about his treatment at the hands of Russian-backed guards. | ITV National News ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8589 "2022-09-26T14:12:07Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > They’re no threat to Russia unless Russia attacks. In that case, there would be a violent UN response. But they’re no threat to Russia unless Russia refuses to respect their authority. That was my point. The Kharkiv Oblast border with Russia has been restored. This might be the time for the UN to use its authority to deescalate tensions. It would be a small first step. I assume the UN would conduct discreet back channel negotiations with the Russians. Find out if they’d accept peacekeepers in that area. The UN wouldn’t bring their peacekeepers into a situation where they’d be immediately massacred. Stabilizing that one area would free Russian troops and equipment to defend Donbass. That seems to be Putin’s priority. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8590 "2022-09-26T14:45:31Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > You think this war is going to be in suspended animation for six to eight months? It’s my understanding heavy military equipment doesn’t move well in Russian winter. Its been reported the soldiers don’t have winter gear. The rockets and artillery attacks will continue. Otherwise I don’t expect any big counter-offenses by either side. There will be a lot of defensive construction. Building bunkers and fighting positions. Training men will be a priority for both countries. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8591 "2022-09-26T15:04:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That was my point. The Kharkiv Oblast border with Russia has been restored. This might be the time for the UN to use its authority to deescalate tensions. Yes, I was replying to Broomstick. I’m not sure how a UN deployment would work, given that Russia has veto power. I’m sure it would take, as you say, back channel communications. Were Russia to agree to UN peacekeepers, it could de-escalate the situation and Russia would have an ‘out’ (at least in that region) and could save some face by ‘showing the world’ that they are abiding by the UN resolution(s). ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8592 "2022-09-26T15:33:00Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I assume the UN would conduct discreet back channel negotiations with the Russians. Find out if they’d accept peacekeepers in that area. The UN wouldn’t bring their peacekeepers into a situation where they’d be immediately massacred. Because the Russians are world-renowned for keeping their word. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8593 "2022-09-26T15:41:22Z")
Maybe Finland could send the Ukrainians trainers for winter warfare. They did a damn good job against Russia during the Winter War. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8594 "2022-09-26T16:09:37Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’m not sure how a UN deployment would work, given that Russia has veto power. I’m sure it would take, as you say, back channel communications. Were Russia to agree to UN peacekeepers, it could de-escalate the situation and Russia would have an ‘out’ (at least in that region) and could save some face by ‘showing the world’ that they are abiding by the UN resolution(s). Maybe if the peacekeepers were from countries that have some support Russia but are also unlikely to attack Ukraine? They could send peacekeepers from countries like India, Brazil, South Africa, or Mexico. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8595 "2022-09-26T16:25:09Z")
Edward Snowden receives some bad news. > ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8596 "2022-09-26T16:37:05Z")
Even the chief Russian propagandists admit that the mobilization has been a shitshow: > (The Siberia reference is to a recruitment officer who was shot by somebody angry at mobilization.) ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8597 "2022-09-26T17:03:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > This might be the time for the UN to use its authority to deescalate tensions. What authority? There will be no peacekeeper deployment after Russia exercises its veto power without comment or explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8598 "2022-09-26T17:07:39Z")
I’ve read comments that Ukraine’s counter-offensive will be studied for decades as a brilliantly planned and executed military campaign. But how instructive is it taking into account that the Russians were spectacularly mismanaged and demoralized? How often does one face a totally incompetent enemy? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8599 "2022-09-26T17:19:04Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Maybe Finland could send the Ukrainians trainers for winter warfare. They did a damn good job against Russia during the Winter War. Hate to break it to you, but all those Finnish soldiers who fought in the Winter War are probably dead. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8600 "2022-09-26T17:25:45Z")
Yes, but they trained the next generations of soldiers, didn’t they? As I recall, Finland just had an exercise with NATO troops and were very, _very_ impressive. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8601 "2022-09-26T17:50:54Z")
On the other hand, Steven Segal is over 70, so he just might evade the draft. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8602 "2022-09-26T17:58:29Z")
They’re _already_ doing that. [Video Shows Old Russian Tanks Taken Out of Storage to Be Used in Ukraine (newsweek.com)](https://www.newsweek.com/video-russian-old-soviet-tanks-storage-ukraine-war-1745776) [Russia Is Fielding 50-Year-Old Tanks in Ukraine | T-62 Tank (popularmechanics.com)](https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a40232488/russia-throws-half-century-old-tanks-into-ukraine-invasion/) [T-62 Tank: Russia’s Soviet-Era Fallback in Ukraine | HistoryNet](https://www.historynet.com/t-62/) [Russia’s Ancient T-62 Tanks Are On The Move In Ukraine (forbes.com)](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/06/06/russias-ancient-t-62-tanks-are-on-the-move-in-ukraine/?sh=54114f5312be) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8603 "2022-09-26T17:58:52Z")
Pretty often, the trick is not being totally incompetent yourself and it’s surprisingly difficult. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8604 "2022-09-26T18:55:06Z")
2 Americans released in the prisoner swap are home. 👏 > **[Alabama POWs Reunited with Families After 104 Days in Russian Captivity](https://tuscaloosathread.com/alex-and-andy-back-home/)** > > Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh are back in Alabama with their families after spending more than 100 days in the captivity of Russian-backed forces in Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8605 "2022-09-26T18:58:25Z")
Yeah, winters didn’t stop happening with the end of WW II, and everything learned during the Winter War was put into military doctrine and practice. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/8606 "2022-09-26T19:11:26Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Training men will be a priority for both countries. Training wasn’t a priority for Russia before they started the war. Why should we expect them to make it a priority now? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=426) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=428)