# Russia invades Ukraine -- The regional situation **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion\ **Created:** [December 30, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349 "2023-12-30T18:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 66
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1303 "2025-11-18T05:42:19Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > these arms deals with Ukraine are pump and dump sort of things. Yes, often it’s been the announcement of a weapons deal that gets more attention than the actual weapons. It’s good for the manufacturer and the politicians, but doesn’t help Ukraine defend itself. The link says that these planes won’t even be delivered till 2035. By then, Ukraine may not exist. ---
**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:** [November 18, 2025, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1304 "2025-11-18T11:20:55Z")
It’s a “statement of resolve” on both sides. Meant to remind Putin and his US-based henchmen that both Ukraine and the EU and various EU / NATO arms exporting nations are in this for the long haul. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1305 "2025-11-18T11:49:53Z")
Poland strongly suspects Russia to be behind two explosions on railway tracks this weekend. > **[Polish railway explosion 'act of sabotage,' says PM Tusk – DW – 11/17/2025](https://amp.dw.com/en/polish-railway-explosion-act-of-sabotage-says-pm-tusk/a-74781288)** > > The weekend blast caused considerable damage to the Warsaw-Lublin railway line in eastern Poland, which borders both Ukraine and Russia and serves as a major logistics hub for aid. ---
**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:** [November 18, 2025, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1306 "2025-11-18T11:53:50Z")
The picture seems to show an intact railway line and maybe some cratering in the dirt & grass away from the embankment. I’m not disputing the article’s claimed facts, just trying to reconcile that pic with the words. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1307 "2025-11-18T16:25:35Z")
To catastrophically derail a passenger train running at moderate speed say 100-200 km/h you do not need to blow up a bridge or an embankment; you only need to misalign the rails a bit. It seems the damage was reported in time by the driver of a train (passing the place on the opposite track?) This [https://www.rosenheim24.de/assets/images/29/35/29035378-zugunglueck-bei-garmisch-partenkirchen-luftaufnahmen-2n8PbCo8IGfe.jpg](https://www.rosenheim24.de/assets/images/29/35/29035378-zugunglueck-bei-garmisch-partenkirchen-luftaufnahmen-2n8PbCo8IGfe.jpg) [https://www.merkur.de/assets/images/29/49/29049717-zugunglueck-12fe.jpg](https://www.merkur.de/assets/images/29/49/29049717-zugunglueck-12fe.jpg) was what a regional train in Bavaria did in 2022 running at a mere 100 km/h when some defective concrete sleepers cracked,allowing the track to warp. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1308 "2025-11-19T05:41:08Z")
It seems there is maybe some residue of a blast on the left side in one picture. But it is hard to tell it apart from the failure of material. A blast strong enough to fracture the rail, but does not disturb the gravel? Or leave discoloration on the gravel? Regular failure picture. > **[Reddit - The heart of the internet](https://www.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/9rafjw/hey_boss_i_think_i_found_the_problem_broken_rail/)** Blast destruction picture? > ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1309 "2025-11-20T09:52:08Z")
Good news, Russia is now implementing tax hikes. Which will hopefully lead to stagflation or something of the sort. > **[Russian lawmakers approve tax hike bill to boost economy as the war with...](https://apnews.com/article/russia-economy-tax-vat-budget-war-ukraine-fbdcc44e609d6ae0a29552cf00c6891b)** > > Russian lawmakers have endorsed new tax hikes as Moscow tries to boost its economy during its almost four-year war with Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1310 "2025-11-20T13:10:06Z")
Provided Ukraine isn’t sold down the river to give Putin what he wants on a plate > **[US military officials in Kyiv as Europe warns against reported Russia peace plan](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgdgrqwnq9o)** > > It comes after reports the US and Russia have prepared a 28-point peace plan, allegedly with major concessions from Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1311 "2025-11-20T14:15:12Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Good news, Russia is now implementing tax hikes I don’t see anything to get excited about. The link says there’s a 2% increase in sales tax. That’s probably less effect on the Russian economy than Trump’s tariffs are effecting the US. It’s not going to stop Putin from destroying Kiev’s entire electric grid. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1312 "2025-11-20T15:05:02Z")
If Russia could destroy Ukraine’s entire electrical grid, they would have done so already. They’re doing everything they can to destroy Ukraine and it’s not working. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1313 "2025-11-20T15:31:39Z")
I’ve seen early reports that Ukraine will have to cut their military size and give up the long range missiles they’ve recently developed. There’s no need to cite these early reports. More reliable details will come out later. I have expected that Ukraine would get screwed over by the new President. Like it or not Ukraine is extremely dependent on US Intelligence for its warfare targeting and monitoring of Russian activities. The next few months could determine whether Ukraine will even exist as an independent nation. Cutting their military capabilities will leave them defeated and defenseless against any new Russian aggression. Ukraine could become similar to Belarus except with a weaker puppet government. Already linked from the BBC > [@](#): > > Neither European nor Ukrainian officials are believed to have been involved in drafting the new proposal, sparking fears it could be overwhelmingly favourable to Russia. > > EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on Thursday that for any plan to work, it would need to have Ukrainians and Europeans on board, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said “the Ukrainians do not want any form of capitulation”. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1314 "2025-11-20T15:38:21Z")
No agreement can go through without Ukraine’s involvement. Trump and Putin can decide every day that Ukraine doesn’t get to be a country anymore, but unless and until Ukraine decides to stop fighting, it’s meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1315 "2025-11-20T16:52:15Z")
Trump and Putin. I can’t think of anyone reliable, trustworthy, and honest as individuals. If i were deciding the fates of millions of people, returns of kidnapped children, rebuilding economies; these are the two genius level leaders I’d want to decide the outcome. I will now go write, “I am a bad person 100 times.” ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1316 "2025-11-20T17:07:52Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > but unless and until Ukraine decides to stop fighting, it’s meaningless. Or until Ukraine has the means of fighting withdrawn from it. They are _highly_ dependent on Western support. _If_ the US, the EU, or NATO (yes, lots of overlap in that list) turn their back(s) and let “nature take its course”, pretty quickly the Ukrainian military turns into a partisan mob wandering the countryside using whatever weapons and ammo they can find or steal to create local havoc. While the central government is suborned by Putin. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1317 "2025-11-20T17:10:52Z")
No sign that the EU is going to stop. That would be enough support to keep Ukraine from falling, even if US support (minimal as it is right now) were to completely halt. As I’ve said, over and over again, war is about logistics and morale and that’s it. Russia’s shit at both. They won’t be able to overrun Ukraine until and unless Ukraine’s logistics and morale become even worse than Russia’s. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1318 "2025-11-20T17:17:44Z")
No, it’s more than that. Russia is reducing the value-added tax threshold so that now even many small businesses must pay VAT. Taxes on vodka may go up. Fees for driver’s licenses, etc. are going up. A tax on items like smartphones and laptops may go up. Central bank interest rates are 16.5%, which is sky-high. The inflation rate is 8% right now, which is also high. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1319 "2025-11-20T18:07:34Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > They are _highly_ dependent on Western support. _If_ the US, the EU, or NATO (yes, lots of overlap in that list) turn their back(s) and let “nature take its course”, pretty quickly the Ukrainian military turns into a partisan mob wandering the countryside using whatever weapons and ammo they can find or steal to create local havoc. While the central government is suborned by Putin. Putin isn’t fighting the war as if this was his goal. Which is why the Ukrainian military won’t end up as a partisan mob regardless of how much or little support they get from the west. They might very well get overrun, and their central government completely overrun, but they won’t end up as a partisan mob with a suborned government. They’ll end up dead (central government included) and with everything they were defending a bunch of piles of broken concrete, glass, etc. We aren’t talking about what the US did to Baghdad or Kabul. We’re talking about what the US did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, just with conventional weapons instead of nuclear. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1320 "2025-11-20T19:32:45Z")
Gold is being sold! > **[Russia Starts Selling Off Its Gold Reserves to Fund the War Budget,...](https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-starts-selling-off-its-gold-reserves-to-fund-the-war-budget-breaking-a-long-held-taboo-13627)** > > Russia has initiated the sale of physical gold from its reserves, marking a pivotal shift in budget management amid ongoing military expenses. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1321 "2025-11-20T23:56:49Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Taxes on vodka may go up This report could interest you: [https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/05/vladimir-putin-vodka-empire-00095109](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/05/vladimir-putin-vodka-empire-00095109) > [@Velocity](#): > > Gold is being sold! That is interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2025, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1322 "2025-11-21T04:35:49Z")
In general, now might be a good time to sell gold. Could double your money. In particular. There is much buzz about negotiations between US and Russia re Ukraine war possible resolution. Maybe Russians see an end or at least long term pause to the war. Being a major decider on accepting a resolution. If they feel they can accept the deal and Ukraine and US might also. Gold prices may drop quite a bit. Peace and less global and financial tensions can drop gold prices a lot. So sell high, then buy low again. A long shot guess as to a major profit grab motive. But also very viable it is just to get foreign currency stores while the getting is good. As others say. Although Russia is an outsider now. It is still a big player, with intel and ways to move markets. If they are selling, maybe it is a hint. I think they also have a bit of gold in the ground there too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=65) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=67)