# 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:** 85
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1683 "2026-04-12T01:55:45Z")
With this crop of Republicans, hypocrisy is not a bug; it’s a feature. They love it. ---
**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:** [April 12, 2026, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1684 "2026-04-12T07:07:04Z")
In case you need it: > **[JD Vance’s claims about Orbán, the EU and Hungary fact-checked](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/09/jd-vance-claims-orban-eu-hungary-election-fact-checked)** > > US vice-president said bloc tried to ‘destroy’ country’s economy, despite it being a net recipient of EU funds ---
**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:** [April 12, 2026, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1685 "2026-04-12T08:51:38Z")
Talking about Orbán, the election is taking place today as I write. The electoral system is extremely complicated, but a friend of mine who lives in Hungary and has been fighting for the rights of minorities, in particular Sinti and Roma, has tried to explain it. > **[Elections in Hungary: Hope, Predictions and the Electoral System](https://stephanmueller.substack.com/p/elections-in-hungary-hope-predictions)** > > Elections in Hungary: Hope, Predictions and the Electoral System I don’t think it is his fault that his post doesn’t sound clear. Obfuscation will help to muddy the waters if Orbán loses, and it will be easy to claim cheating, interference (no, not from FacePalm Vance, the other interference) and to declare the election null and void. ---
**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:** [April 12, 2026, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1686 "2026-04-12T21:39:31Z")
I think that Zelenskyy’s military might be a little bit too busy right now for that… ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1687 "2026-04-13T00:33:30Z")
> **[Hungarian opposition ousts Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/12/viktor-orban-concedes-defeat-as-opposition-wins-hungarian-election?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other)** > > Péter Magyar’s Tisza party wins election as prime minister concedes defeat, in result likely to reshape ties with EU ---
**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:** [April 13, 2026, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1688 "2026-04-13T06:40:50Z")
Tisza’s victory is no guarantee that everything Orban did will be reversed. AIUI, their primary focus is on corruption and Fidesz’s co-option of legal, political and media/cultural institutions, and reversing that is a long job. I don’t think there’s much detail about how far they will fall into line with the EU on substantive policy towards Ukraine. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1689 "2026-04-13T06:44:35Z")
Be that as it may, the psychological message is almost as important as the actual actions. The Orban-turd has been openly sprayed, disinfected and wiped in the sight of all Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and America. It will be a much-needed shock to Putin, Vance and Trump. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2026, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1690 "2026-04-13T06:45:17Z")
Yes, let’s hope.. ---
**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:** [April 14, 2026, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1691 "2026-04-14T06:56:10Z")
Interesting piece here on the complexities of the EU support Orban has been blocking: [https://www.euractiv.com/news/why-orbans-defeat-wont-yet-unblock-eus-e90-billion-ukraine-loan/](https://www.euractiv.com/news/why-orbans-defeat-wont-yet-unblock-eus-e90-billion-ukraine-loan/) ---
**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:** [May 21, 2026, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1692 "2026-05-21T06:26:52Z")
EFPs that were originally meant for penetrating armored vehicles or the like, are now going for Russians. > **[Russians Fear Ukraine ‘Slaughterbot’ Drones Are Head-Hunting Them](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/slaughterbots-now-ukraine-head-hunting-100846981.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueWFob28uY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHow-6M_xu4FDzyxyJPccuyGAYSJlc0jYVwsQPCa_PuXZGxPSQ-TIm8qsNeFJzIJ5yPgDzxr6KUTGN2R_f-9p0wWWb21yKdw4vt0sYDsjdBXztRnzfvXtC_ViTVL6ZU-cxEEZ7oqL5OB9Aqy5XJoRLzWhoEXANFx3uyOolSHzxcH)** > > Russian sources claim Ukraine is using a deadly new type of FPV with AI guidance and a stand-off warhead, which can shoot targets in the head. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1693 "2026-05-21T08:07:44Z")
Interesting use of the term _head hunting_ by Forbes. An EFP is a shaped charge, why do they aim for the head? No body armour could stop that and the torso is bigger. Psychology? Is facial recognition superior to torso recognition? Or was the one image discussed a chance head hit that aimed for the torso? This technology will not stay in that battlefield, btw. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1694 "2026-05-21T18:48:05Z")
All your questions are addressed in the article. The answer they give is “nobody knows.” ---
**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:** [May 21, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1695 "2026-05-21T20:51:33Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > … > > This technology will not stay in that battlefield, btw. What I consider scary is that the technology will not stay _in battlefields_. It won’t stay in the hands of nation states only. Soon coming to an assassination near you. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1696 "2026-05-21T21:10:02Z")
Exactly. And states all over the world will have no other option than to become more repressive, intrusive, paranoid and draconian to prevent that from happening. So that the oppressed ones (they will call them terrorists) will feel even more justified in trying to use this technology that soon will be open source to fight the states, who will then retaliate by becoming even more restrictive and punitive. Another downward spiral coming our way. Just having a link on your computer to this technology will be akin to having a child porn image or link on your hard drive today. Immediate prison, opprobrium and social exclusion. Mierda. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1697 "2026-05-22T02:58:22Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > What I consider scary is that the technology will not stay _in battlefields_. It won’t stay in the hands of nation states only. Soon coming to an assassination near you. If you’re meaning the shaped charge, that ship sailed decades ago. > **[Alfred Herrhausen | Assassination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Herrhausen#Assassination)** > > Herrhausen was killed by a sophisticated roadside bomb shortly after leaving his home in Bad Homburg on 30 November 1989. He was being chauffeured to work in his armoured Mercedes-Benz car, with bodyguards in both a lead vehicle and another following behind. The 7-kg bomb was hidden in a bag on a bicycle parked next to the road. The bicycle had been consistently parked without explosive in the same location along Herrhausen's route for an extended period of time before the assassination, an The R... > [@](#): > > The bomb used a [Misnay–Schardin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misnay%E2%80%93Schardin_effect) mechanism. A copper plate, placed between the explosive and the target, was deformed and projected by the force of the explosion. The detonation resulted in a mass of copper being projected towards the car at a speed of nearly two kilometres per second, efficiently penetrating the armoured Mercedes. Herrhausen’s legs were severed and he bled to death. It was a system that was triggered by his car breaking an infrared light beam, so pretty automated for the time. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2026, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1698 "2026-05-22T06:55:14Z")
The blast technology that produced the projectile is decades old (and was used in the Herrhausen assassination as noted), but what’s new and disruptive IMO is the combination with (a) drone technology and (b) sophisticated guidance. The murderers of Herrhausen got lucky - they got him not with the projectile itself but with a fragment of the door splintered off by the blast (a design defect of his armored vehicle). ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1699 "2026-05-23T06:06:30Z")
I think the idea of an aerial drone for assassination isn’t really a viable one. From the moment of launch the sound of the rotors scream “Hey, there’s a drone right over here!” Surprise is pretty important for a successful assassination. And really, if you wanted to try to assassinate someone with a drone, a FPV drone would work just fine. Nothing special about that vid WRT that. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2026, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1700 "2026-05-23T06:36:02Z")
Yes, but the drone could theoretically pack enough explosive that even if the VIP target began to run, the blast would still be enough to take him out - and/or the drone could chase after the VIP enough to get within blast radius. Plus, the drone could be timed to strike at a time when the crowd is cheering loudly or there is other noise going on, which would conceal the rotor sound of the drone itself. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1701 "2026-05-23T07:20:08Z")
Well, but the larger you make it, the louder it’s going to be, and the easier it is to spot and shoot down. The FPVs chasing folks riding dirt bikes in Ukraine seem to be audible to someone revving a 2-stroke engine within an inch of its life. Plus, most assassins are willing to do just enough to get close to their target and act. Killing the target is the important part, getting away usually isn’t. Most of the assassins I can think of that got away didn’t seem to have a really clear idea of what they were going to do afterward. I suppose Booth and the supposed RAF members that killed Herrhausen did have plans on what to do afterward, the latter far more successful than the former. So I suppose on a long enough time line, I’ll almost assuredly be wrong about someone using drones as a method of assassination. In 1988, I would have said that an EFP would be just as unlikely. But I don’t think that it will become common. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1702 "2026-05-23T07:39:04Z")
I’ve created a Drone thread in MPSIMS for a general discussion for both military and civilian usage, so we can discuss such without pulling away from specific topics. > [@The Dope on Drones: For Discussions on Combat Drones on all Battlefields and civilian Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dope-on-drones-for-discussions-on-combat-drones-on-all-battlefields-and-civilian-use/1030330): > > Drones have likely become a major game changer in a number of fields. Currently, their major breakthrough has been military, but we’ve had discussions about them for last mile delivery, rescue, searches (both manhunts and S&R), as well as possible AI controlled drones. It’s become a common topic in many threads, but here’s our own thread to discuss current trends, efficacy, upcoming enhancements, speculative scenarios. Here’s a place to dig into the details without worrying about if it’s appl… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=84) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=86)