Russia and its “Special Operation” in Ukraine

[Awol]

Ukrainian forces have made it to the Russian border north of Kharkiv. The Russian collapse there mirrors their collapse and flight north of Kyiv.

 

[LondonLax]

Turkey trying to block Sweden and Finland from joining NATO because the Nordic countries are too nice to their Kurdish refugees

[theboyangel]

13 minutes ago, LondonLax said:

Turkey trying to block Sweden and Finland from joining NATO because the Nordic countries are too nice to their Kurdish refugees

Turkey are extremely fortunate they are situated where they are as a launchpad into the Middle East for the West as their atrocious activities are totally and conveniently overlooked. 

Edited May 14, 2022 by theboyangel

[Davkaus]

4 minutes ago, theboyangel said:

Turkey are extremely fortunate they are situated where they are as a launchpad into the Middle East for the West as their atrocious activities are totally and conveniently overlooked. 

Doesn't matter where they are or what they do as long as they buy our stuff while they do it; see Saudi Arabia.

Edited May 14, 2022 by Davkaus

[BleedClaretAndBlue]

Well said. Bit of positive PR for Hungary

 

[bickster]

Quote

Ukraine update: Something *big* is happening, as the Battle of the Izyum Salient begins

With unconfirmed reports that Ukraine has pushed Russia mostly out of its territory north of Kharkiv, we have been speculating where Ukraine would counter next—toward the railhead northeast of Kharkiv in Vovchansk, or the the logistical hub at Kupiansk, where three major rail lines connect. Both those locations would cut off the flow of supplies to the Izyum salient and Russia’s 22 battalion tactical groups (BTGs) in the pocket—the largest concentration of Russian forces anywhere in Ukraine. 

Ukraine took a look at both of those critical logistical centers, and then decided to hit the salient directly instead. [...]

Russian telegram claims five Ukrainian brigades are moving in on Izyum from the north, looking to directly cut off supply lines to the bulk of the Russian forces in the salient. That would be the equivalent of 10-15 Russian BTGs which seems … fantastical. Given how well Ukraine has fought, Russians may be mythifying them so they seem 10 feet tall and three times their number. But for context, a Ukrainian brigade is around 1,600 troops and 200 armored vehicles. If these reports are correct, we’re talking about 1,000 armored vehicles, and a metric buttload of artillery, raining on Russian positions. Ukraine had 20 brigades pre-war, with another four in reserve, which are likely already in action. More are being created from reservists, but there’s no indication they’ve had to be fielded just yet. So five brigades would be a massive commitment of forces. 

Regardless of their actual size (and I do hope it’s five brigades), those Russian sources on telegram also say Ukraine has crossed the Donets for the attack. So if Ukraine is crossing the Donets to attack Izyum’s supply lines, then this seems like a logical place to do so: [...]

Russia abandoned Kharkiv because it had no reserves left. Ukrainian general staff and the Pentagon have said Russia has 19 BTGs in reserve in Belgorod, so why weren’t they rushed to Kharkiv to defend their supply lines? If there’s anything left in Russia, it’s likely shattered remnants and troops refusing to deploy or redeploy.

Now, with Russia already at its limits, Ukraine is taking direct aim at the largest concentration of Russian forces in Ukraine. 

Guys, 20-25% of Russia’s entire Army is in that pocket.

Something big is happening.

I mean big, as in war-altering. 

We were looking at Izyum’s supply hubs in Kupiansk and Vochansk. Ukraine is going straight for the jugular instead.[...]

Daily Kos (They've been right about a lot of things so far)

TL:DR

Ukraine has chucked a rather large amount of troops at an area that if succesful will isolate a rather large chunk of the Russian Army from it's supply lines

If they pull this manoeuvre off Russia is f***ed

[sne]

Finland applying to joining NATO a done deal. That is expected but still a very big deal.

Sweden to follow next week according to the sounds here. 

[Genie]

26 minutes ago, sne said:

Finland applying to joining NATO a done deal. That is expected but still a very big deal.

Sweden to follow next week according to the sounds here. 

Senior Russian diplomats and military personnel must be looking at Putin now thinking he needs to go, urgently.

The war has backfired as much as anything has ever backfired in the history of the world.

[Amsterdam_Neil_D]

16 minutes ago, Genie said:

The war has backfired as much as anything has ever backfired in the history of the world.

Make believe reasons to go to war probably have make believe progress and outcomes for Putin,  until they don't.

Unless he has loads of elite troops and weaponry hidden somewhere all fueled up and ready to go on the border he might as well forget it.

 

[bickster]

9 minutes ago, Amsterdam_Neil_D said:

Unless he has loads of elite troops and weaponry hidden somewhere all fueled up and ready to go on the border he might as well forget it

There are supposedly 19 BTGs in Belgogrod just over the border from Kharkiv, everyone now suspects they are not combat effective even by Russian standards

Also stories emerging today that Russia is having to make makeshift prisons to deal with the amount of soldiers refusing to deploy or redeploy

[chrisp65]

Are Russia still going to do that nuclear strike tsunami?

I’ve got to re seed the lawn but I’ll hold off for now if the tsunami is still going to happen.

 

[Amsterdam_Neil_D]

2 minutes ago, bickster said:

Also stories emerging today that Russia is having to make makeshift prisons to deal with the amount of soldiers refusing to deploy or redeploy

"Special Operation" means technically they can refuse to go and nothing can be done from a legal POV.  It seems this news has spread and is causing them to refuse to go in bigger numbers.

Putin's decisions from months ago,  even the name of what you are doing are coming back to bite him. He has got nearly everything wrong. 

He walks around like he is a gangster but when he is actually at work,  he's a bit David Brent.

 

[Xela]

10 minutes ago, chrisp65 said:

Are Russia still going to do that nuclear strike tsunami?

I’ve got to re seed the lawn but I’ll hold off for now if the tsunami is still going to happen.

 

Same here. I need to go to Morrisons, but no point buying milk and bread if we are going to be vapourised. 

[sidcow]

5 minutes ago, Amsterdam_Neil_D said:

"Special Operation" means technically they can refuse to go and nothing can be done from a legal POV.  It seems this news has spread and is causing them to refuse to go in bigger numbers.

Putin's decisions from months ago,  even the name of what you are doing are coming back to bite him. He has got nearly everything wrong. 

He walks around like he is a gangster but when he is actually at work,  he's a bit David Brent.

 

I want to see the Putin dance 

[Amsterdam_Neil_D]

12 minutes ago, bickster said:

19 BTG

I hope they all try and do the bridge crossing thing again.  All at the same place and time the dumb words removed.

I suggest that unless they find a freindly scorpion with a larger boat than he normally uses then they aren't ever crossing it unless they fill the river with blown up tanks and create a bridge of dead tanks and equipment.  

[bannedfromHandV]

2 minutes ago, Xela said:

Same here. I need to go to Morrisons, but no point buying milk and bread if we are going to be vapourised. 

Are you even British if you aren’t vaporised in a nuclear shitstorm whilst drinking tea and eating toast? 

[Amsterdam_Neil_D]

3 minutes ago, Xela said:

Same here. I need to go to Morrisons, but no point buying milk and bread if we are going to be vapourised. 

Maybe get skimmed milk and that bread that's a bit nutty,  should be fine if in the fridge / bread bin if the apocalypse arrives.  Might last a bit longer as well as the prices are going up so small saving there.

[Genie]

I just cut the lawn without considering it might be a waste of effort. 

Now I REALLY don’t want to be nuked.

[Awol]

58 minutes ago, Genie said:

The war has backfired as much as anything has ever backfired in the history of the world.

Worse than Disney taking over the Star Wars franchise? That’s a big call. 

[Amsterdam_Neil_D]

6 minutes ago, sidcow said:

I want to see the Putin dance 

If he dances like he does war he will slide onto the dance floor on his knees to rapturous applause dressed like Anton Dubecks nan.  He will be dangerously over confident and give it the one and try a back flip and paralyze himself from the neck down.  The silly man.