# Russia invades Ukraine {2022-02-24} (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion, breaking-news\ **Created:** [October 29, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972 "2022-10-29T17:49:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 162
**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:** [March 28, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3275 "2023-03-28T16:08:34Z")
I like how you can see the relative weight of each vehicle by the amount of damage to the grass made as they were backed into position. The Challenger weights 75 tons! ---
**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:** [March 28, 2023, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3276 "2023-03-28T17:51:13Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I don’t expect that vehicle can fly? [Maxim](https://schlockmercenary.fandom.com/wiki/The_Seventy_Maxims_of_Maximally_Effective_Mercenaries) 11: Everything is air-droppable at least once. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2023, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3277 "2023-03-28T23:03:50Z")
Minister of Defence of Ukraine is happy: > > [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > The Challenger weights 75 tons! That’s the weight of around a thousand people. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3278 "2023-03-28T23:13:16Z")
So I guess the vehicle posing with the American flag is a Bradley? What about the German vehicle-- from context, I’d have guessed a Leopard 2, except that it doesn’t look like it has a tank-sized gun. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3279 "2023-03-28T23:18:13Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What about the German vehicle- One of the 40 [Marders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marder_(infantry_fighting_vehicle)) recently delivered. Another 60 to follow. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3280 "2023-03-28T23:24:32Z")
I’m trying to imagine myself as a conscripted Russian soldier. We barely get equipment, and the equipment we do get is old and shitty. Limited ammo so we have to ration, same probably for food. And then all of a sudden you see two dozen modern NATO tanks cresting a nearby hill immediately after all your command and control installations have just been obliterated by HiMars. I think my only thought would be “You have _got_ to be fucking kidding me.” ---
**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 28, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3281 "2023-03-28T23:34:22Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Happily, [the IAEA will be placing experts at all Ukrainian nuclear plants going forward.](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/28/zelenskyy-accuses-russia-of-radiation-blackmail-at-zaporizhzhia) And repaired hydro power equipment will now be hidden underground. Utilities have been buried in the US for a long time. There’s no power poles in new subdivisions. A storm broke a tree limb that crashed onto my service wire. Ripped the lugs out of my meter box and almost ripped the box off rhe wall. I paid to get that line buried a few months later. It was well worth the cost. My subdivision is from the 1950’s when power poles were still used. Ukraine will eventually benefit by moderning their grid. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3282 "2023-03-28T23:47:39Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > So I guess the vehicle posing with the American flag is a Bradley? Looks like a [Stryker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stryker) to me. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2023, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3283 "2023-03-28T23:50:47Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I’m trying to imagine myself as a conscripted Russian soldier. Same as it ever was. The lot of Russian soldier has been pretty shitty since conscription was introduced in 1699. The welfare of the common Russian trooper has never been a particularly high government priority in any age. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3284 "2023-03-29T00:17:59Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > The welfare of the common Russian trooper has never been a particularly high government priority in any age. Such as Stalin’s “Not a step back!”: > **[Order No. 227](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_No._227)** > > Order No. 227 (Russian: Приказ № 227, romanized: Prikaz No. 227) was an order issued on 28 July 1942 by Joseph Stalin, who was acting as the People's Commissar of Defence. It is known for its line "Not a step back!" (Ни шагу назад!, Ni shagu nazad!), which became the primary slogan of the Soviet press in summer 1942. > Order No. 227 established that each front must create one to three penal battalions (Russian: штрафной батальон, romanized: shtrafnoy batalyon, lit. 'penalty battalion', commonly kn... I’m still not sure whether the slow reverse speeds of Russian tanks is a bug - an indicator of rubbish engines - or a feature - so their tanks don’t retreat. Challenger 2 reversing: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GH_bO_rI9P8/maxresdefault.jpg "Challenger 2 Full Speed Reverse and Stop") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH_bO_rI9P8) T-72 reversing - max. 4 km/h (2.5 mph): [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/S-1kP6kwCQA/maxresdefault.jpg "T-72 Tank Platoon Reversing And Parking [4K]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-1kP6kwCQA&t=40s) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3285 "2023-03-29T02:16:39Z")
My great grandfather came to America to avoid Russian conscription ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3286 "2023-03-29T04:46:06Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > _Ni shagu nazad!_ Why do I think this is something in the Black Speech? ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3287 "2023-03-29T08:29:12Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > My great grandfather came to America to avoid Russian conscription My grandparents came to America to avoid being murdered in a Russian pogrom. It was an awful experience for them to become refugees but in retrospect it was all for the better, and they said as much to us kids when we were old enough to start understanding such topics. > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Why do I think this is something in the Black Speech? I dunno - why do some people call Russian troops “orcs”? If the metaphor fits, wear it? “Keep advancing or our side will shoot you dead” is pretty evil when you get down to it. But I’m not surprised Russia is doing that _again_. ---
**Author:** ![Ferris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ferris/32/11573_2.png) [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3288 "2023-03-29T20:48:29Z")
Some very interesting discussion upthread recently about ‘hobby-level’ drone capability. Apologies if this link’s already been posted, but Ukraine is now receiving _cardboard_ drones from Australia. Less visible to radar and seemingly capable of the kind of grenade-dropping harassment of other kinds. [Cardboard drones.](https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a43432035/ukraine-cardboard-drones-stealth/?utm_source=DamnInteresting) ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3289 "2023-03-29T21:00:13Z")
Have to join to read the article, but the idea sounds interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3290 "2023-03-29T21:22:11Z")
Lets try this link. > **[Ukraine is using cardboard drones to do battle with Russia now](https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/australia-ukraine-cardboard-drones)** > > Melbourne-based company SYPAQ are supplying hundreds of flatpack cardboard drones to take the battle to the Russians in Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3291 "2023-03-29T21:58:05Z")
Sure. Some drones that are capable of flight for hundreds of KM are made of foam. Model aircraft are made of foam, balsa, and cardboard is perfectly viable. Here’s a 100km range drone made of EPO foam. [https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32837740228.html](https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32837740228.html) At Alibaba you can order in quantity, and several of the drones I looked at come from manufacturers who say they can make from 1,000-10,000 of them _per month_. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3292 "2023-03-29T23:55:07Z")
The remains of a wood/foam drone in Ukrainian colors and with ‘Glory to Ukraine’ emblazoned on it was reportedly found near Moscow: > > **[Fragments of drone with ‘Glory to Ukraine’ words found near Moscow – Russian...](https://english.nv.ua/nation/fragments-of-drone-with-glory-to-ukraine-words-found-near-moscow-russian-media-50313922.html)** > > A fallen drone > with the inscription ---
**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 30, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3293 "2023-03-30T00:14:30Z")
Have they developed a remote gun mount for drones? It wouldn’t have the stopping power or accuracy of a sniper. But a small caliber weapon could harass and maybe kill Russian troops from above. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/3294 "2023-03-30T02:32:41Z")
Thanks for the link [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972.md?page=161) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972.md?page=163)