Russia Invades Ukraine

[neeneko]

Given how it does not seem to have stuck last time, when they had decades already, I doubt it would work this time either.

[Suranis]

Given how it does not seem to have stuck last time, when they had decades already, I doubt it would work this time either.

Before Ukraine was still a Republic in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This time he wants to wipe out the concept of Ukraine entirely, and have them back as part of Russia proper "where they belong." Probably break up the country into districts as well.

Besides, in 2014 the Ukrainians were weak and divided, and I have no doubt they were the same back in the old Iron Curtain days. Now they are united and with a purpose.

[Kriselda Gray]

I doubt Putin is going to "go on" for 40 more years (he'd be close to if not over 100 - I assume he's at least 60 by now) so are they presuming that his successor would choose to keep a long-running, losing war going? For why?

[Suranis]

I doubt Putin is going to "go on" for 40 more years (he'd be close to if not over 100 - I assume he's at least 60 by now) so are they presuming that his successor would choose to keep a long-running, losing war going? For why?

Putin is 69. Born 7 October 1952.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin

[Gregg]

Angry Staffer
@Angry_Staffer
There’s conflicting information on whether or not he’s alive or dead, but either way, intentionally running over your commander with a tank probably won’t look great when it’s time for promotion

In Soviet Russia, uniform presses you!

Being intentionally run over in a tank by your RTO ain't exactly a good 360 degree review, either.

[pipistrelle]

Angry Staffer
@Angry_Staffer
There’s conflicting information on whether or not he’s alive or dead, but either way, intentionally running over your commander with a tank probably won’t look great when it’s time for promotion

In Soviet Russia, uniform presses you!

Being intentionally run over in a tank by your RTO ain't exactly a good 360 degree review, either.

Good deterrent against taking officer training.

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

[Atticus Finch]

Angry Staffer
@Angry_Staffer
There’s conflicting information on whether or not he’s alive or dead, but either way, intentionally running over your commander with a tank probably won’t look great when it’s time for promotion

In Soviet Russia, uniform presses you!

Being intentionally run over in a tank by your RTO ain't exactly a good 360 degree review, either.

And don't expect glowing references either.

[neeneko]

Before Ukraine was still a Republic in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This time he wants to wipe out the concept of Ukraine entirely, and have them back as part of Russia proper "where they belong." Probably break up the country into districts as well.

Besides, in 2014 the Ukrainians were weak and divided, and I have no doubt they were the same back in the old Iron Curtain days. Now they are united and with a purpose.

Well, there was before, and before before, and before before before, it keeps going. The conflict over Ukraine being indepdent from Russia vs a part of the empire, and the question of 'who are the REAL 'Rus'?', has been going on long before the Soviet Union. Czars were struggling with trying to finally integrate Ukraine many times over, and Putin is being wildly optimistic if he thinks, even with decades to work, he can manage what so many before him have tried with far more power.

[neeneko]

so are they presuming that his successor would choose to keep a long-running, losing war going? For why?

Institutional inertia? Whoever succeeds Putin will probably need to keep the people Putin put in power happy, as well as tread carefully about openly disagreeing with what Putin did. So they might come in stuck in the same political trap that Putin is in now. Even in authoriatrian regimes, the head is more shaped than shaper.

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

[Estiveo]

Gilbert & Sullivan updated

Estiveoshot_20220326_212934.jpg

[Volkonski]

[Ben-Prime]

Gilbert & Sullivan updated

Estiveoshot_20220326_212934.jpg

A friend of mine just shared this on FB, and I remarked that I could actually hear the background chorus repeating in a higher pitch and a faster pace the line about Ukrainian farmers with tractors. This one really comes alive and officially replaces the mid-1990s Xena parody of the song in my head as the official parody after 25 years.

[Volkonski]

An agreement was made that the Russians would leave the town if those with arms handed them over to the mayor with a dispensation for those with hunting rifles.

Fomichev told those protesting that the Russians had agreed to withdraw “if there are no [Ukrainian] military in the city”.

The deal struck, the mayor said, was that the Russians would make a search for Ukrainian soldiers and arms and then depart. One Russian checkpoint outside the city would remain.

The incident highlights the struggle that Russian forces have faced even where they have had military victories.

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

[Slim Cognito]

Gilbert & Sullivan updated

Estiveoshot_20220326_212934.jpg

I know I've been using this emoji a lot but if any post deserves it, it's this one

[Kendra]

Russian state television broadcasts footage of “special operation” veterans being awarded medals. They actually showed young men who’ve lost their limbs in the war.

[John Thomas8]

[Volkonski]

[Kendra]

According to
@bellingcat
the Russian FSB paid billions of $ to ensure that some shadowy political class in Ukraine supported this war & created an internal coup d'état immediately after the invasion. But Ukrainian agents who took the money ditched them.They just screwed them over

Don't know if this is verified.