# 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:** 350
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7111 "2024-04-17T12:21:34Z")
> [@Kelevra](#): > > Check out this russian tank. I laughed pretty hard at “Blyatmobile”. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7112 "2024-04-17T13:35:33Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > …Is it trying to camouflage itself as a shed? Just ignore the tank tracks leading right to it. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7113 "2024-04-17T14:32:29Z")
I think it’s more like this: > Hey the tank _used_ to be parked in the shed. The tracks leading _away_ from the shed show that the shed is now empty. Nothing worthwhile here to expend an ATGM or drone on. Just keep on flying by. Пожалуйста (_Požalujsta_). Спасибо! (_Spasibo_). [“Please” and “Thank you” respectively to comply w SDMB rules on no unexplained non-English.] ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7114 "2024-04-17T15:09:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I think it’s more like this: > > > Hey the tank _used_ to be parked in the shed. The tracks leading _away_ from the shed show that the shed is now empty. Nothing worthwhile here to expend an ATGM or drone on. Just keep on flying by. Пожалуйста (_Požalujsta_). Спасибо! (_Spasibo_). That’ll work, as long as the tank puts its shoes on backwards (or drives everywhere backwards). ---
**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:** [April 17, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7115 "2024-04-17T15:17:38Z")
Serious question: Looking at tank tracks in the mud or snow or on harder surfaces, how obvious is the direction of motion that made them? IME it’s pretty easy to tell which way people were walking on a soft surface, but much harder to tell which way a wheeled vehicle was driving. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7116 "2024-04-17T16:07:50Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Just ignore the tank tracks leading right to it. Or the big ol’ gun sticking out the other. It’s a male shed… yeah, that’s the ticket. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7117 "2024-04-17T17:00:48Z")
A well-known American fighter (on the Russian side) has vanished. > **[Mystery as Texas man missing in occupied Ukraine after joining Putin's army](https://www.newsweek.com/russia-russell-bentley-missing-donetsk-vladimir-putin-ukraine-1890349)** > > "I'm the luckiest dude that I've ever known," Austin native Russell Bentley said shortly after war broke out in Ukraine. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7118 "2024-04-17T17:04:48Z")
It would seem his luck has run out. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7119 "2024-04-19T14:55:41Z")
Ukraine has reportedly just shot down a Russian strategic bomber: > **[Ukraine war live updates: Ukraine says it downed strategic bomber for the...](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/19/ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-on-russia-and-the-war-in-ukraine.html)** > > Rescue operations on Friday were underway in the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk after a major Russian missile attack killed at least eight people. > Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk on Friday said the country shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber for the first time, destroying a warplane capable of using long-range missiles. > > Separately, Russia’s Defense Ministry said the bomber crashed over the southern Stavropol region when it was flying back to its home airfield, state news agency RIA reported via Telegram. Russian officials said the cause of the incident was likely a “technical malfunction.” ---
**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:** [April 19, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7120 "2024-04-19T17:12:32Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Ukraine has reportedly just shot down a Russian strategic bomber: 497 ‘Backfires’ were built. The Wikipedia page shows some on display, and one being dismantled as part of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Now one has been shot down. Any idea how many are operational? ---
**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:** [April 19, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7121 "2024-04-19T17:17:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Any idea how many are operational? Wiki says 63 in 2018, random google cite says 57 in 2024. So 56? Given the variable accuracy of web sources, I’d say maybe ~45-65 is a reasonable guess. This lone casualty isn’t going to affect the war in any way, shape or form. But it is interesting if only because it is a claimed kill at 300 kilometers, which is considered the very outer edge of the S-200 missile’s range. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7122 "2024-04-19T23:29:16Z")
The impact, if any, won’t so much be the loss of the airframe, although at ~1-1/2% of the probable active fleet, that’s a non-trivial bite at their apple. The big impact, if any, _should_ be in how the Russians alter their employment doctrine of the type. Will they just ignore this loss and keep flying the same way, and continue to suffer slow attrition? Will they only fly jets with functional ECM systems? If so what does that do to their usable fleet size? Will they fly circuitous routes to stay farther from Ukraine’s missile batteries? Will we see stepped up attempts to target those batteries with long range A-G missile fire? Big picture … Combat airplanes _are_ attritable assets. Sort of. You can expect to lose some, but you don’t want to (more accurately, “can’t afford to”) waste any. Of at least that’s the attitude of competent air forces. What the Russians do about this will be some interesting intel learning on our / the Ukrainian’s part. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7123 "2024-04-20T17:51:04Z")
Congress has passed a bill to send $61bn of military aid to Ukraine. ❤ ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7124 "2024-04-20T18:34:01Z")
Yesss! Finally!!! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7125 "2024-04-20T18:50:24Z")
I thought nothing would come of that fustercluck. The deets. (NYT, _The Economist_) > **[House Approves $95 Billion Aid Bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/us/politics/house-vote-aid-gaza-israel-ukraine.html?unlocked_article_code=1.l00.tBoD.bML1yEGxO6Y-&smid=url-share)** > > After months of delay at the hands of a bloc of ultraconservative Republicans, the package drew overwhelming bipartisan support, reflecting broad consensus. [https://econ.st/3U20syO](https://econ.st/3U20syO) ---
**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:** [April 20, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7126 "2024-04-20T21:36:44Z")
The new aid bill is a massive material benefit to Ukraine. Just as important, it will be a huge morale boost as well, showing Ukrainians that, even belatedly, America is with them. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7127 "2024-04-20T22:37:00Z")
From CNN: “Nearly $14 billion included in the bill would help Ukraine buy advanced weapons systems and other defence equipment.” Any ideas what those might be and how soon/be an impact they’ll arrive/have? ---
**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:** [April 20, 2024, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7128 "2024-04-20T23:37:48Z")
> [@Ferris](#): > > Any ideas what those might be and how soon/be an impact they’ll arrive/have? In one sense the impact might be immediate. Ukraine has been rationing ammunition tightly, worried about the interruption of supply. With the knowledge that more is coming, they might release more from hoarded stores to front-line troops. Aside from that apparently some supplies have already been pre-positioned via European stocks pending congressional approval and the [Pentagon claims they can deliver some in days and others in up to ~2 weeks](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/19/pentagon-prepares-package-of-artillery-air-defenses-for-ukraine-as-house-sets-to-vote-00153328). [Meanwhile the Czech government has been working to expedite more artillery ammunition, purchased by a Euro consortium from places like South Korea.](https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/03/18/with-millions-of-fresh-artillery-shells-arriving-the-ukrainians-are-devising-new-tactics-to-kill-more-russians-faster/?sh=1b7379c0543d) Supposedly some is already purchased and in the pipeline, but may not start arriving until June. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2024, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7129 "2024-04-21T05:59:18Z")
That’s a very encouraging point (about rationing), thanks! ---
**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:** [April 21, 2024, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972/7130 "2024-04-21T14:26:48Z")
I hope it’s not too late. It depends on how long it takes to get urgently needed items to Ukraine. Russia’s big summer counter offensive is expected within a few weeks. Link [US House approves $61bn in military aid for Ukraine after months of stalling | House of Representatives | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/20/us-house-approves-61bn-aid-ukraine) > [@](#): > > In the Ukraine bill, of the $60.7bn, a total of about $23bn would be used by the US to replenish its military stockpiles, opening the door to future US military transfers to Ukraine. Another $14bn would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, in which the Pentagon buys advanced new weapon systems for the Ukrainian military directly from US defense contractors. > > There is also more than $11bn to fund current US military operations in the region, enhancing the capabilities of the Ukrainian military and fostering intelligence collaboration between Kyiv and Washington, and about $8bn in non-military assistance, such as helping Ukraine’s government continue basic operations, including the payment of salaries and pensions. > > Sergii Marchenko, the Ukrainian finance minister, pointed to the legislation’s provision for budget support. > > “This is the extraordinary support we need to maintain financial stability and prevail,” he wrote on X. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972.md?page=349) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24-part-2/973972.md?page=351)