# 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:** 94
**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:** [August 15, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1863 "2026-08-15T20:48:08Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Investigation is still going on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the cause was either Russian saboteurs or drones. Nah, [doesn’t look like anything hinky](https://apnews.com/article/explosion-ammunition-factory-colleferro-a985b329d0bd6c3d2201873372299b64), at least to me. I mean foreign interference hinky, anyway. Looks like a fire sparked in one production/storage area and firefighters were already on scene before it blew. Which doesn’t sound remotely like a drone strike. Munitions factories are just inherently dangerous places. I’d go with Occam’s Razor on this one - most likely just a random accident. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1864 "2026-08-15T20:58:41Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Looks like a fire sparked in one production/storage area Yes, but how did that fire start? It’s not like there was ongoing production activity, since the plant was temporarily closed. The Ukrainians have been attacking Russian munitions factories with drones, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising if the Russia decided to answer in kind. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1865 "2026-08-15T21:28:02Z")
Russia attacking Italy is a very different thing from Russia or Ukraine attacking one another. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1866 "2026-08-15T21:32:35Z")
True, but there’s been a Russian sabotage campaign in Europe for a while. Plus those drones at a German airport near the Ukrainian plane found recently. I would not be at all surprised at any Russian drone attacks in Europe these days. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1867 "2026-08-15T22:18:32Z")
So Russia is in the fifth year of its unsustainable war. Is either side visibly likely to falter within the next six months or so? ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1868 "2026-08-15T22:54:02Z")
Russian oil production is getting hit in a way that wasn’t happening three or four years ago. Given the importance of their petroleum industry, I suspect something is going to have to happen in Russia sooner rather than later. i.e. I think Russia is going to blink soon. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1869 "2026-08-15T23:16:24Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Investigation is still going on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the cause was either Russian saboteurs or drones. If so, we may expect more drone attacks against European munitions factories. On the other hand, blowing up is sort of an occupational hazard for munitions factories in general, even without enemy action. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1870 "2026-08-16T15:12:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > On the other hand, blowing up is sort of an occupational hazard for munitions factories in general, even without enemy action . Refineries, too. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1871 "2026-08-16T23:40:08Z")
Ukraine is blowing up some shit today. [Article](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-overnight-ukrainian-drone-attack-was-biggest-so-far/ar-AA2aflh0) [MeidasTouch video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_LJ84BJDK0) ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1872 "2026-08-23T04:03:00Z")
The war is beginning to disrupt daily life in Moscow. This report is light on facts. But it hints that the 3-day special military operation is getting personal for some of the “real” Russians—the ones that Putin cares about, and can’t ship out to die as canon fodder. > **[Rosenberg: Shortage of petrol but not patriotism as Russians feel growing...](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gknzgje7go)** > > Drivers are waiting hours in fuel queues, as Moscow prepares to celebrate Russian Flag Day. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2026, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1873 "2026-08-23T12:14:23Z")
Also, Russians are pulling money out of their bank accounts for fear Putin will take the $$$ to fund the war. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/08/18/russians-pull-cash-banks-fearing-kremlin-will-seize-deposits-war/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/08/18/russians-pull-cash-banks-fearing-kremlin-will-seize-deposits-war/) ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1874 "2026-08-23T14:56:46Z")
Which will help all of squat if the currency is devalued (even more). ETA: “gold bugs” are usually wrong; but I would say not in Russia today. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1875 "2026-08-23T22:28:02Z")
_If_ you can get delivery of specie. Were I a Muscovite looking to trade roubles for gold I’d be really leery of anyone willing to take the other side of that trade. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1876 "2026-08-23T23:33:15Z")
By the time buying gold looks like a good deal, it’s too late to do so. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2026, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1877 "2026-08-24T00:14:12Z")
Funny how the ads for gold sales here in the USA track the price of gold. Gold high? Lotta ads that it’s time to buy. Gold low? Lotta ads to take that junk off your hands. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2026, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1878 "2026-08-24T13:34:13Z")
[Putin says new Ukrainian strikes opened ‘Pandora’s box’](https://www.nbcnews.com/video/shorts/putin-says-new-ukrainian-strikes-opened-pandora-s-box-268735045771) After eviscerating a score of the largest Blackberries warehouses, Ukraine is systematically moving on to the warehouses of number two Russian online retailer - Ozon. Putin responds that Ukraine has “opened Pandora’s box” by doing this and Russia will now go after civilian economic targets in Ukraine…as if they hadn’t been attempting to do that since the start of the war. Oh, so NOW the gloves come off. Russia is going to get SERIOUS about this war. Up to now they’ve been fighting with one hand tied behind their back. I see. I’m sure Ukraine is now quaking in their boots and will promptly stop using drones to attack oil refineries and logistics warehouses. ---
**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:** [August 25, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1879 "2026-08-25T19:11:08Z")
It’s being reported that the director of the CIA travelled to Moscow for talks with, well, we don’t know who exactly he went to talk with. The plane flew from Riga in Latvia to Moscow. > **[CIA chief travels to Moscow for unannounced talks, US media reports](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87vg9x5d7do)** > > Flight tracking data confirms an American military aircraft travelled to Russia from the US via Latvia on Tuesday. My guess is whatever was discussed, it can’t be anything good for 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:** [August 25, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1880 "2026-08-25T19:27:09Z")
I’d sooner suspect the topic had nothing to do with Ukraine and was about bad things planned for the USA. Both by the Russian regime and by the USA’s current criminal regime. There was a time you’d never let a guy who knows all those secrets go to any potentially hostile country. Much less to our Main Enemy. OTOH, since trump works for Putin, I guess we now all work for Putin. Even the CIA works for Putin. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1881 "2026-08-25T19:40:12Z")
Speculation I’m seeing is that Ratcliffe went to warn Russia off of attacking NATO. There have been a couple spook chiefs alluding to that possibility the past year or so, but it seems pretty unlikely to me. Militarily at least. Maybe they were planning a big escalation of covert ops and needed to be told NATO would stop paying lip service to deniability. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349/1882 "2026-08-25T19:42:10Z")
They could have saved a lot of taxpayer dollars and just had Trump warn Russia on social media. He could have said something moronic about tariffs. Yes, yes. I see the flaw in my idea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=93) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-invades-ukraine-the-regional-situation/995349.md?page=95)