# 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:** 220
**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:** [June 12, 2023, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4480 "2023-06-12T23:45:11Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Apparently, newly-minted Russian artillery shells have a nasty habit of “self-detonating”. So send them to Wagner group. Solves two problems at once. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4481 "2023-06-13T00:18:07Z")
Warning for @Snarky_Kong and thread banning. You must have known this was coming. So why you did this I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4482 "2023-06-13T10:49:29Z")
[News snippets:](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/6/13/live-ukraine-says-six-killed-in-russian-attack-on-kryvyi-rih?update=2238815) The USA plans to send depleted Uranium shells to Ukraine, and Russia has arrested some defense workers for spying. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2023, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4483 "2023-06-13T11:20:09Z")
The splitting the _land corridor_ has been in the news. It makes strategic sense. But it’s heavily fortified. I’d like to see strike somewhere unexpected and less protected. Similar to what they did near Kharkiv last year. > **[Ukraine offensive: What will it take for military push to succeed?](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65881261)** > > If Kyiv can split Russian troops in the south and hold ground, its push will have achieved its aims. > [@](#): > > The area of Russian-held territory that matters most in this campaign is the south: the area between the city of Zaporizhzhia and the Sea of Azov. > > This is the so-called “land corridor” that connects Russia to illegally annexed Crimea, the central part of that purple-shaded strip on the map below that has barely changed since the early weeks of the invasion last year. > > If Ukraine can split that in two and hold the ground it’s retaken, then its offensive will have largely been successful. > > It would cut off Russia’s troops in the west and make it hard to resupply their garrison in Crimea. > > It would not necessarily spell an end to the war - which some are now predicting could drag on for years - but it would put Ukraine in a strong bargaining position when the inevitable peace talks finally take place. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4484 "2023-06-13T13:18:19Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’d like to see strike somewhere unexpected and less protected. Similar to what they did near Kharkiv last year. Hitting some place that’s less fortified, like, say, Luhansk, would likely result in lower casualties and the recapture of more land for Ukraine, but suspect the reason it seems they’re making a drive to the south instead is because leadership understands the western military support clock is ticking on this conflict and Ukraine likely has a limited window for retaking territory, so they’ll opt to direct their combat power towards taking the more strategically important territory now, which is the so-called ‘land bridge’ connecting Crimea. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4485 "2023-06-13T13:24:45Z")
In military terms, how strategically important is Crimea actually? Will taking it help defeat Russia? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4486 "2023-06-13T13:28:06Z")
I don’t think it’s a matter of taking Crimea to win the war, but rather of taking Crimea because they consider it to be part of Ukraine and they want it back along with all the other territory Russia has usurped. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4487 "2023-06-13T13:30:54Z")
Regaining a bunch of muddy farmland accomplishes far less strategically than retaking a much smaller area of towns & cities and river crossings and … As to messing w Russia’s access to Crimea, that’s an important bit of symbolism. If stalemate occurs w much of the Donbas still in Russian control, but the “land” bridge seriously compromised, that’ll look a lot like Ukraine won. They won’t have won the jackpot, but their geostrategic position after the armistice would be better than before the invasion. Shame about the destruction and casualties it took to get there, but that’s what happens when a criminal regime wages aggressive war against you. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4488 "2023-06-13T13:56:03Z")
What makes the ‘land bridge’ strategic is not because of the resources it contains, but rather, its geography. Russia regards it as critically important for control of the Black Sea. That’s why they had a lease agreement with Ukraine to maintain the naval base at Sevastopol, and it’s also the main driver behind their 2014 annexation. Being a peninsula, it’s also isolated. The Kerch Bridge was constructed at great expense to connect the peninsula with the Russian mainland. But the bridge by itself is likely insufficient to keep the peninsula adequately supplied. The land bridge also allows Russia complete control of the Sea of Azov. Ukraine understands all of this and seeks to deny these things to Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4489 "2023-06-13T16:17:13Z")
Thanks. That seems like quite a good explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4490 "2023-06-13T16:38:21Z")
And addition to all of that, while the notion of hitting them where they’re weak is nice and all, ultimately you will have to hit them where they’re strong, otherwise they’ll just keep squatting there. Taking a few easy places first might be of value in having them as staging areas, establishing a beachhead, or for artillery emplacements, but at some point, you have to do the heavy lifting. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4491 "2023-06-13T16:48:34Z")
Exactly. That and starting with Luhansk means having a flank and supply line bordering Russia proper unless they plan on stopping there. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4492 "2023-06-13T17:19:40Z")
I think it’s main strategic importance would be to unequivocally and undeniably demonstrate to Ukrainians, to Russians, and to the world, that Putin’s Russia is very weak and can’t protect territory it calls its own. ---
**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:** [June 13, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4493 "2023-06-13T17:27:20Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > Russia regards it as critically important And by ‘it’ - if not evident from context - I meant the Crimean Peninsula. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2023, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4494 "2023-06-14T10:13:30Z")
The “right-hand man” of Ramzan Kadyrov, warlord Head of the Chechen Republic, has reportedly been killed or wounded in Ukraine. From Kadyrov’s own Telegram account: [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FykqspZXgAEw-Bw?format=jpg&name=900x900) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FykqspZXgAEw-Bw?format=jpg&name=900x900) > **[Adam Delimkhanov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Delimkhanov)** > > Adam Sultanovich Delimkhanov (Russian: Адам Султанович Делимханов; born 25 September 1969) is a Russian politician who has been member of the Russian State Duma since 2007. He is a member of the United Russia. He heads the Chechen branch of Rosgvardia. > Delimkhanov is an ally of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. > A close associate and cousin of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, Delimkhanov headed the police division that protected Chechen oil facilities from 2003 to 2006. He was appointed deputy pri... ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4495 "2023-06-14T11:09:45Z")
Wait - is he asking the _Ukrainians_ to help find him? I’m sure they’ll get right on that. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4496 "2023-06-14T11:18:06Z")
If they do find him, I doubt they’re likely to return him in one piece. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2023, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4497 "2023-06-14T11:23:31Z")
Who to trust? The Russian Lieutenant colonel who Wagner Group captured and tortured a few days ago, after saying that his troops fired on them, says that Wagner tipped off Ukrainian intelligence about Kadyrov’s deputy’s whereabouts, as revenge for Kadyrov threatening to reveal the source of Wagner boss Prigozhin’s wealth: [https://twitter.com/Maks\_NAFO\_FELLA/status/1668935030154964993](https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1668935030154964993) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fyk_kJFWYAgqLE0?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fyk_kJFWYAgqLE0?format=jpg&name=large) ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4498 "2023-06-14T11:29:58Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Who to trust? Trust no one, laugh at everyone. Seriously. These guys are making this war sound like a spat between middle school kids. “I heard Jenny say she was going to tell Ashley that Agatha told Brienne that Billy was going to tell Bobby about where Susan got her money, so now Susan is planning a surprise party for Jackie, but isn’t going to invite anyone else to make Jackie feel bad.” ---
**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:** [June 14, 2023, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/4499 "2023-06-14T11:32:48Z")
All these competing factions are a consequence of Putin’s divide and rule strategy for maintaining power. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972.md?page=219) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972.md?page=221)