Russia-Ukraine War Questions

In My Humble Opinion
21

A vehicle is a prime target - a man (or group of men) hoofing it are less likely to attract a HIMARS or drone.

22

And, if there’s some sort of post-service pension/GI-Bill/VA type benefits to servicemen in Russia, that could get really expensive and stay really expensive, especially if your conscripts hail from the big cities instead of the middle of nowhere in Siberia.

I think the hard part for the Russians at this point will be to rally and effectively fight back in the face of what seems to be multiple units breaking and running in the face of Ukrainian attacks.

23

Plausible deniability. Russia has a long history of executing deserters. It’s easier to claim you’re not deserting if you can say, “Look, see? All our tanks are still right where they should be!” At this point the Russian forces seem sufficiently disorganized that even that fig leaf might make the difference between successfully deserting, and a bullet to the head.

24

And if they are deserting in any numbers, where and what would they be deserting to? Trying to drift anonymously around the big cities? That builds up potential trouble, directly or indirectly, for the powers that be.

25

they can be out of fuel or spare parts. The tanks seems to be positioned in a hedgehog position that reminds me of a company waiting for refuel, but still able to fire at any point.

26

As pointed out either upthread or in the general Ukraine War thread, lots of them are hoofing it across the border to Russia and claiming they got separated from their unit.† Those stories would lose a certain amount of verisimilitude if they drove up in a main battle tank.

† Due to it not being a declared war, Russian soldiers can refuse to go back to Ukraine if they make it to Russia.

27

Also, tanks aren’t very fast, even on roads. A stolen car is about twice as fast.

28

I think you missed the point here. Putin is not launching missiles like at the early part of the war during which it seemed no one in any Ukrainian city was safe, and when it seemed like heavy population areas were being targeted. Hence the references to public ceremonies and soccer matches, not to mention the visits by foreign leaders. None of that was considered safe at the start, and now it is.

And while he may be protesting the foreign military aid that Ukraine is getting, I think it’s been established that he would perhaps be more reckless if other countries sent in actual troops to help. I didn’t understand why he would treat the aid any differently.

Finally, I wasn’t aware that Zelenskiy is launching missiles into Russia. Where is that being reported?

29

30

This absolutely astounds me.
Is there any other army, anywhere in the world, where every private can give orders to his commanding officer, and say “I refuse to let you station me at x location” ?
Almost every democratic country has an army where there is genuine concern for the well being of each soldier, and strict regulations which prevent commanders in boot camp from abusing the soldiers under their command.–But when the army tells you to deploy, well…you deploy–to Irag, to the Falklands, to Afghanistan, wherever.

Russia ain’t no democracy, and Putin does not have to respect the wishes of the voters.
And the Russian army is well known for the cruelty and abuse with which they treat their soldiers.
So what’s up with suddenly respecting the rights of soldiers to refuse serving in Ukraine?
Committing war crimes is okay.
But sending a soldier to a post where the rest of his platoon is already stationed–that’s illegal.
Why does Putin feels obligated to obey this law, when he ignores any other law that he chooses? (like bombing hospitals and schools)

31

Not only that, but there was only one road out of Izium that didn’t have Ukrainian forces on it, so it was no doubt backed up pretty severely.

32

Yeah, there’s a possibility that visiting politicians will be hurt. But things are significantly more certain now than they were then, Russia has a lot less weaponry, and Russia wants to avoid killing Western politicians. Your point is that they could use a larger portion of their missiles against non-military relevant targets?

You concede my point and then move the goal posts. Ok?

So, first of all, you said “attack,” but now you’re limiting it to missile attacks?

Attacks in Russia:

33

Steal some civilian clothes, steal a car or a bike, and bing!. You’re a poor refugee fleeing the war zone, not a military target.

34

Spend some time practicing your Ukrainian or Crimean accent and soon Dmitiri’s your uncle!

35

Again, you seem to be intentionally missing the points, if you consider the context provided in the OP. Perhaps I could have been clearer, but it seems that everyone else understood the questions besides you.

36

Not a single post in this thread goes/contradicts/nullifies my posts… It’s funny, you say Ukraine doesn’t attack Russian territory, I tell you they do and provide multiple cites and you come back with "you can’t even understand what I’m asking, so stupid! You asked a bunch of questions, I answered them other than “why doesn’t Putin nuke Ukraine?” "

And the answer to that is that Putin judges the consequences of nuking Ukraine would be harsher than the benefits. Potential benefits are: scaring off support from NATO, destroying Ukrainian military and/or will to fight, forcing capitulation. Potential negatives are: coup, order not being followed, getting nuked back, “winning” but eternal international isolation.

37

Dunno, but it looks like they’re trying to avoid giving them that refusal by being cruel to soldiers who are trying to cross the border. Quote from USA Today article

38

Ah, there are the blocking detachments that were being discussed earlier. It’s convenient that they’re operating at the border.

“Not one step back!” worked out so well in 1942, after all.

39

Deserters being shot not while escaping, but while returning to their own lines. Only in Russia.

40

and it seems that stealing runs deeper in russian culture than fighting, to begin with …