My thought was “cameras capture the instant before Vladimir Putin rage-flipped a table and injured Shoigu.”
Video of both fires.
Russian military institute:
Russian chemical factory:
Or that’s where the trapdoor button is located.
Wow, those are not small fires. Sabotage is definitely a possibility.
Both are way too far from Ukraine for direct military action. Could be sabotage, could be coincidence, could be them trying to rush through something military and cutting too many safety corners. Who knows?
No kidding. They are blaming “aging wiring” for one fire. Sure, sure.
No official news article about the chemical plant fire, but here’s one on the research institute.
If indeed these recent fires are caused by sabotage, this is a very effective method for Ukraine fighting Russia.
I’m pretty confident that Ukraine has been getting intelligence and logistical assistance from NATO countries. I wonder if there are any special forces involved in these fires, or at least some deep cover folks who have been waiting in the weeds for a chance like this.
A more interesting question is, was it sabotaged by some Russians? Putin has shut down all legitimate forms of protest, but, “OH NO! The faulty wiring is catching fire! I’d better call the fire department … in ten minutes…”
I doubt Ukraine is using old wiring for sabotage work. Too risky
This makes sense. I do wonder how many of the planes had not been serviced or maintained in reality - they may have had work done “on the books”, but in actuality, the money got syphoned off into somebody’s summer house.
Airplanes, particularly military planes will not do very well if the servicing and maintenance has been neglected.
Wasn’t there something about a bunch of tanks that were discovered to be completely inoperable (No engines), when they tried to call them up? Like someone had actually sold all the parts years ago?
Yes, there was. The guy in charge apparently killed himself because of it. It’s a safe bet the same problems are found in every branch of their military.
That’s my guess also. I would also guess they were shipped already partially broken down to make transport easier.
Problem being, it’s difficult to hit fast movers because of the short aim/fire window. Stingers are great for helos, not so good for something moving as fast as a fixed wing aircraft.
This seems like the simple answer given what we know about the shape of other Russian equipment. Yes, losing aircraft is costly, but so is losing thousands of troops and vehicles, maybe even the war, by not using them.
Frankly, I’m worried that Putin wants the blockade so he can use chemical weapons. People trapped in underground tunnels make for a good target with chemicals.
Maybe all the long tables were needed for de-nazifacation purposes. Like replacing blown up bridges.
Curious if others think the idea of the Russians engaging on a 300 mile wide front (much nearer to supply lines than Kyiv) is playing to Russian strengths or will it be their undoing? It can be argued that by putting pressure everywhere it taxes Russian resources to the maximum, but the same is also true of Ukraine, who at this point have less heavy weapons available, and with as wide of a front as possible, it increases the likelihood that a breakthrough will occur at some point. Whether or not the Russians are in fact holding some mobile reserve ready to exploit such a breakthrough is unknown to me.
If this is sabotage, Russia is going to have to address the fact that there are two million ethnic Ukrainians living within her borders (the third largest group after Russians and Tatars.) and the vast majority of these are as unidentifiable by speech or appearance as a Canadian is to an American. The paranoia on the home front will only exasperate the stress already being caused by economic sanctions.
Biden was wise to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan when he could. Otherwise the US would have to supply logistics stuff on 2 fronts.
Wish we’d send mountains of stuff to Ukraine, it’s not like another war is going to happen on any other front anytime soon.
Trump initiated the withdrawal. Biden just fucked it up.
I’m vaguely recalling that back in the 80s when the UK and Argentina were having that dust-up over the Falklands, NATO stocks of materiel were being drawn down and there was some concern in the months it took to replace everything.
So much for this being a non-political informational thread.
Especially after What_Exit’s comment – to somebody else – in post 4804.
That was mine, and it was a silly comment for me to make upon reflection and education.