# 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:** 459
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9229 "2022-10-07T22:16:32Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Is the smaller, grey one an [Su-24 ‘Fencer’](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-24)? The [Tu-22 ‘Blinder’](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-22) has engines mounted in nacelles. [Tu-22 ‘Blinder’](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-22) had nacelles. The [Tu-22M ‘Backfire’](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-22M) does not 🙂 . Despite the confusing name and close pedigree it’s basically a different plane, with the similar designation probably being a bit of gamesmanship from Russia during the Salt II negotiations. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9230 "2022-10-07T22:19:47Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The airbase is about 140 miles from the border. And, there is a nice big wooded national park along that part of the border – good cover for launching a non-ballistic missile from a truck. This attack was by drones, not missiles. Small drones that don’t have anything like a 140 mile range. If this was a Ukrainian attack, it was most likely by a special ops team that managed to get a few km from the base. Can we rule out the planes being damaged/destroyed by some Russian incompetance and them blaming Ukrainians? ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9231 "2022-10-07T22:29:51Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Small drones that don’t have anything like a 140 mile range. [This article claims 140 miles is “theoretically” within range:](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukrainian-kamikaze-drone-attacks-bomber-base-deep-in-russia) - The only known standoff weapon in Ukrainian hands is the improvized ‘Alibaba’ suicide drone (as the model that is used for conversion can be bought on the Chinese marketplace website) [which first appeared in June](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/kamikaze-drones-strike-russian-oil-refinery-looks-like-model-sold-on-alibaba) during an attack on a Russian oil refinery across the border in Novoshakhtinsk. The same type [was used in the attack on Black Sea Fleet’s](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-shadowy-long-range-kamakaze-drone-strikes-again)headquarters in Crimea. Days before, several Russian warplanes were destroyed in an attack on the Saki Air Base in Crimea, which you can read more about[here](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/widespread-destruction-seen-after-blasts-at-russian-base-in-crimea). Other attacks have occurred as well, both in Crimea and Russia, that are likely the work, at least in part, of these still shadowy improvised suicide drones. A strike on the bomber base would be within its theoretical range. Russia [has been beefing up air defenses](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/russias-new-s-350-air-defense-system-appears-at-base-near-ukraine-border) at airbases near its borders for this very reason.\* ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9232 "2022-10-07T22:31:08Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > They call them “suicide drones” on their web page. I agree that someone should have come up with a better term. “Single use” or “One time use”? ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9233 "2022-10-07T22:32:19Z")
It figures I’d get the words mixed up. [disgusted] ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9234 "2022-10-07T22:45:23Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > Tungsten would be a spectacularly bad choice for a plane for many reasons However, when you are building a mach 3 engine, you want to make the combustion chamber out of a material that has a spectacularly high melting point. Like, say, tungsten. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9235 "2022-10-07T22:51:43Z")
Right, although my understanding of tungsten (limited) is that the high melting point means most applications are sintered, which is very limiting for complex parts. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9236 "2022-10-07T22:56:41Z")
There are reports that a [HIMARS strike with cluster-bomb type submunitions has killed many Russian troops.](https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1578316922596167680?cxt=HHwWgMCopZ-4p-crAAAA) That’s probably a mis-report by the news source since M26 submunition-rocket-warheads were retired a long time ago. More likely, it’s the giant shotgun spray. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9237 "2022-10-07T22:57:09Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > “Single use” or “One time use”? Remote aeronautic auto-disassembly device (RADD) ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9238 "2022-10-07T23:23:16Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Doesn’t the US get most of its tungsten from Russia, or has that changed in the 60 years since Lockheed was building the SR-71? The SR-71 was _titanium_, not tungsten, and yes, at the time the USSR was the primary source of it. As for tungsten - about 80% of the current supply is coming from China these days, although both California and Colorado have some deposits according to a quick Google. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9239 "2022-10-07T23:41:03Z")
Hard to imagine anyone confronting Putin face to face. I have a feeling this person was a hard liner that wanted a more decisive and brutal response in Ukraine. Imho Putin wouldn’t tolerate anyone advocating a peace deal. Cite [MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/putin-confronted-by-insider-over-ukraine-war-us-intelligence-finds/ar-AA12GKaz) > [@](#): > > A member of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle has voiced disagreement directly to the Russian president in recent weeks over his handling of the war in Ukraine, according to information obtained by U.S. intelligence. > The criticism marks the clearest indication yet of turmoil within Russia’s leadership over the stewardship of a war that has gone disastrously wrong for Moscow, forcing Putin last month to order the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of troops in a desperate bid to reverse recent battlefield [losses](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/04/russia-retreat-kherson-lyman-ukraine/). > The information was deemed significant enough that it was included in President Biden’s daily intelligence briefing and shared with other U.S. officials, ---
**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:** [October 8, 2022, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9240 "2022-10-08T00:06:48Z")
Any word on how Vlad’s 70th birthday party went today? ---
**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:** [October 8, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9241 "2022-10-08T00:26:10Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Any word on how Vlad’s 70th birthday party went today ? Constantly refreshing this page? > **[Famous People Who Died at 70](https://www.thefamouspeople.com/died-at-70.php)** > > This list of famous people who died at 70 includes Howard Hughes, Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles, Marco Polo, Richard Kuklinski and many more. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9242 "2022-10-08T01:29:23Z")
An article about the fears of the Russian elite and the factions vying for power. > **[‘Someone will fall victim’: insiders reveal elite anguish as Russia’s war...](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/07/intense-dread-and-infighting-among-russian-elites-as-putins-war-falters?CMP=share_btn_tw)** > > Key figures including Wagner Group’s Yevgeny Prigozhin are using military defeats to undermine defence chief Sergei Shoigu ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9243 "2022-10-08T03:54:45Z")
Kerch bridge is on fire: [https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1578592745827930113](https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1578592745827930113) ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9244 "2022-10-08T03:56:19Z")
Don’t need to drop a bomb on it. Just drive one part way across it? They built that thing pretty quick. Wonder how heavily they built it. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2022, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9245 "2022-10-08T04:02:12Z")
Some more photos: > ---
**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:** [October 8, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9246 "2022-10-08T04:05:01Z")
Wow, looks like it is on the rail side. Currently claimed to be a fuel fire. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9247 "2022-10-08T04:05:42Z")
When will Russia learn that smoking is bad for the war effort? ---
**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:** [October 8, 2022, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/9248 "2022-10-08T04:07:02Z")
Hey, I can personally attest that nicotine is incredibly addictive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=458) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=460)