# 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:** 62
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1221 "2022-03-05T15:20:37Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > And these are Serbians who are quite well educated, and have access to lots of news and opinion sources. They still hate NATO and think that they are out to destroy Slavic nationalism. fwiw for many people in europe, “the serbs” is akin to “florida man” ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1222 "2022-03-05T15:29:47Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > I’m really showing my ignorance here, but why would Russia assume they’re NATO planes? Why couldn’t we openly say, “Hey, we’re sending planes”? Because it might tick off Putin so that he’d start nuking? As was mentioned, they’re likely to notice the plane exiting NATO airspace, and it’s impossible to tell the nationality of the pilot from a distance. So, it would be giving Russia cover to widen the conflict if they were insane enough to take that route. > [@nelliebly](#): > > And on that note, why isn’t Putin afraid of _our_ (the West’s) nuclear capability? Is he too bonkers to think about MAD? Or is he convinced from our passivity during past aggressions that the US is too wimpy to respond in kind? Note: I’m definitely not saying we _should_ respond in kind. Nor am I saying we’d be wimps if we didn’t. Just trying to see it as he would. Well, I can’t say that I know what Putin fears. But if he thinks it scares us, he’s probably frightened of them being used on him, too. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1223 "2022-03-05T15:32:37Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > > Germany will provide Ukraine with 2,700 surface-to-air rockets manufactured in the Soviet Union… probably cleaning out old stock to make place for the new … ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1224 "2022-03-05T15:50:07Z")
From a Turkish domain: [Large proportion of Strela missiles in German army depots are no longer usable, Der SPIEGEL news magazine reports](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/german-anti-aircraft-missiles-offered-to-ukraine-not-usable-report/2524178) > According to a report published by the weekly Der SPIEGEL news magazine, a large proportion of the Strela missiles in the German army depots are not only completely outdated, they are also no longer usable. > > A maximum of 2,000 of the rockets in the troops’ warehouses can still be used, according to the report… > > Since [2014], the wooden boxes with the weapons that are now to be delivered to Ukraine have become so moldy that soldiers are only allowed to enter the storage facilities with protective clothing. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1225 "2022-03-05T16:01:46Z")
> **[Video: Ukraine releases video of Russian helicopter being shot down | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/03/05/ukrainian-armed-forces-share-video-showing-russian-helicopter-being-shot-down-ndwknd-vpx.cnn)** > > Ukrainian Armed Forces shared a video showing a Russian helicopter being shot down. CNN geolocated this video. The area where it was filmed includes a base where the Russians have been running helicopter operations and has recently been under attack... ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1226 "2022-03-05T16:11:00Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > [https://twitter.com/sbreakintl/status/1498619309618503680](https://twitter.com/sbreakintl/status/1498619309618503680) if the russians use mobile phones, why can’t the ukr. carriers not boot them off? … I assume the russians use the existing local networks? at the most basic level, all ukr. celphone carries could exchange IMEI listss (from 1 week before the invasion) and disallow all “new” phones from accessing their networks … and come to think of it … how would russians use the network withouth “having signed up for the ‘sunflowerseed’ plan for the low-low price of 9.99” before? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1227 "2022-03-05T16:15:10Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > The American goal in Afghanistan was to remove the Taliban from power and install an American-friendly government in their place. Today the Taliban are back in charge – and that means the war was lost, regardless of what happened militarily. > > In Afghanistan, America had a situation hundreds of times more favorable in every possible way than Russia has in Ukraine. Hell, go a generation earlier. In 1979 Afghanistan, the Soviet goal was to remove a shaky, questionable communist government and replace it with a stable, reliable one. The Soviets left after little over 9 years leaving an aligned government that did a lot better than the later American clients, lasting three years afterward. And the Soviet Union had a LOT more favorable situational conditions going in, it was not halfway around the world from there. > [@Velocity](#): > > One says that Russian forces are slowly but inevitably closing a stranglehold on Ukraine and it’s only a matter of time. > > The other points to rampant Russian corruption, mass desertion, bursting tires, low morale, conscripts punching holes in fuel tanks to evade duty, and seems to be celebrating an imminent Russian collapse. Basically, if the Russian forces had been actualy as formidable and razor-sharp as everyone had bought into earlier, the first part was expected to be over and done with by now after a massive steamrolling from all directions. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1228 "2022-03-05T16:15:59Z")
If Russian cellphones haven’t been shut down then either it’s an oversight, they’re tracking their signals, or listening in. Hopefully not the first. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1229 "2022-03-05T16:20:58Z")
Considering they’ve been working with commercial satellite companies, I’m sure they’re not overlooking any options they have with cellphones. So probably tracking, listening where possible and also hoping soldiers are reporting home scared or at least demoralized. Everyone is hoping the Russian Mothers group will organize against the war. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1230 "2022-03-05T16:24:03Z")
Russia says it has American Basketball Player in custody for drug paraphernalia. “The Customs Service said in a statement that the player had won two Olympic gold medals with the United States, but it did not release the player’s name. The Russian news agency TASS, citing a law enforcement source, identified the player as Brittney Griner, a seven-time W.N.B.A. All-Star center for the Phoenix Mercury. Griner won gold medals with the U.S. women’s national basketball team in 2021 and 2016.” > **[Brittney Griner, Star W.N.B.A. Center, Is Detained in Russia](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/sports/basketball/russia-brittney-griner.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur)** > > Russian customs officials said a U.S. basketball player had vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. A Russian news agency identified the player as Griner. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1231 "2022-03-05T16:25:07Z")
_## Russia’s largest airline suspends international flights to everywhere except Belarus, according to state media_ (source: CNN) **IAW : aeroflot is bankrupt as of now** and I doubt they will spend $$$ to maintain their fleet… ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1232 "2022-03-05T16:30:38Z")
concerning the “failing” cease-fire attempt in Mariupol… it is just a hunch … but I get the feeling that this shows that the russians do not have communication with all of their units … and there are simply units that “havent got the memo” to stop shooting … potentially a goog gauge on how things are behind the curtains ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1233 "2022-03-05T16:31:21Z")
The US is advising all Americans to leave Russia. Immediately. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1234 "2022-03-05T16:31:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > From a Turkish domain: [Large proportion of Strela missiles in German army depots are no longer usable, Der SPIEGEL news magazine reports](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-crisis/german-anti-aircraft-missiles-offered-to-ukraine-not-usable-report/2524178) Some poor bastard in Ukraine is going to have to go through that mess and sort the Twinkies from the Sno-Balls. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1235 "2022-03-05T16:37:39Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > The US is advising all Americans to leave Russia. Immediately. I’m surprised that didn’t happen a week or more ago. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1236 "2022-03-05T16:40:09Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > _Russia’s largest airline suspends international flights to everywhere except Belarus, according to state media_ (source: CNN) > [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > The US is advising all Americans to leave Russia. Immediately. I suspect these are signs that martial law is about to be imposed in Russia. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1237 "2022-03-05T16:45:25Z")
I believe there are also some concerns that Brittney Griner will not be the only American that Russia decides to detain. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1238 "2022-03-05T16:45:37Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I suspect these are signs that martial law is about to be imposed in Russia. But, but, but, but he just said he has no intention of declaring martial law. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/L_mrNQBLSMU/hqdefault.jpg "homer simpson being sarcastic.wmv") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_mrNQBLSMU) ---
**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:** [March 5, 2022, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1239 "2022-03-05T16:50:03Z")
American businesses have invested heavily in Russia and Ukraine. What happens if Russia seizes these assets? This is just one example. Over 950 restaurants. McDonald’s could lose a lot of money. > [@](#): > > McDonald’s Corp. > > The international fast food chain got about 9% of its revenue last year from Ukraine and Russia, according to a company filing. It says 84% of the 847 locations in Russia are company owned, along with all of the 108 McDonald’s in Ukraine. [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sanctions-russia-may-hit-us-173531139.html](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sanctions-russia-may-hit-us-173531139.html) ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037/1240 "2022-03-05T16:55:20Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > And on that note, why isn’t Putin afraid of _our_ (the West’s) nuclear capability? Is he too bonkers to think about MAD? Or is he convinced from our passivity during past aggressions that the US is too wimpy to respond in kind? The West has more to lose than Russia in a MAD scenario, and _Putin knows it_. Plus, I think Putin’s become increasing unhinged, perhaps fueled by his advancing age and ever-shortening window to leave an indelible legacy, to the point where his mindset is now: “if I’m not allowed to win, then I’ll make sure the whole world goes down with me, the concerns of my power backers in the Duma / oligarchs / general Russian populace be damned!” In essence, kind of like Nixon’s madman theory, except this time it’s not a carefully orchestrated bluff. Putin’s a cornered animal with nothing to lose at this point. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=61) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-1/960037.md?page=63)