Russia-Ukraine war and related tensions Megathread

[OSR stands with Israel]

Russian Ministry of Defense claims 2,870 Ukrainian soldiers killed, 498 Russians.

https://twitter.com/DrAlakbarov/status/1499073100067000320

In the first 10 days of the invasion of Iraq the US had 65 deaths. Even if you were to believe the Russian numbers, which I don't, they've had a much worse time of it than the US did in 2003.

The US was able to pull of the entire invasion with less than 200 fatalities

[WMS]

I believe Eritrea also supported the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Eritrea has a history of invading its neighbours.

Honestly atleast they aren't hypocritical.

Or, maybe, just maybe, Eritrea voted that way because the Biden Administration sanctioned Eritrea over its hideous human rights abuses in Tigray over the past few years?

[It’s so Joever]

Are we actually surprised Eritrea voted for invasion both times?

[Stranger in a strange land]

Full list here:

On the unexpected side, Serbia voted in favor as well

https://twitter.com/Brynwales/status/1499075649146961930

That is quite a shock, I thought they would be in the abstain category.

Serbia is currently following the old Tito strategy, meaning it is trying to keep good relations with everyone.

However, judging from my social circle and the media in Rep. Srpska / Serbia, the reactions are far more negative compared to Crimea.

Serbs generally didn't give a sh*t about Crimea (no shots fired), and kind of just wanted to "stick it to the Americans/NATO/EU" for Kosovo.

But this invasion is a completely different ball game. A lot of people still remember the Yugo wars, and pictures of blown-up kids have caused many to take a more pro-Ukrainian stance in this case, regardless of Russian support for Serbia in the Kosovo dispute.  

This is good news. Some other welcome surprises:
- IRAN abstained
- the UAE voted in favor
- Kazakhstan abstained
- Brazil voted in favor, despite Bolsonaro's earlier support for Putin

[President Johnson]

Russian Ministry of Defense claims 2,870 Ukrainian soldiers killed, 498 Russians.

https://twitter.com/DrAlakbarov/status/1499073100067000320

In the first 10 days of the invasion of Iraq the US had 65 deaths. Even if you were to believe the Russian numbers, which I don't, they've had a much worse time of it than the US did in 2003.

The US was able to pull of the entire invasion with less than 200 fatalities

Yeah, and if you take the US occupation of Iraq as a comparison and put this in perspective, you would expect even greater losses during a Russian occupation given how incompetent they have handled this. Furthermore, there was at least a decent number of Iraqis celebrating Saddam's end. Zelenskyy has like >90% behind him now, even in Eastern Ukraine which was more pro-Russia so far.

[Torie]

Maybe this has been put up already, but in a way Putin is causing his worst nightmare perhaps to happen. His invasion has turned the EU into a functional military alliance of its own, with Germany doubling its defense budget and others ratcheting up theirs as well. Why? You guessed it. They pondered what might have been if Trump had been President and one like him possibly being President in the future, and did not like what they "saw." So it is time that they ceased to be tied to the US hip, and be able to act independently, if need be. A new loci of military power has been born, and the EU is willing to pay the price, because free loading off the US has become way too risky a scheme. So ironically in that one sense only, Trump caused something positive to happen by getting elected, and then defeated.

And the EU munitions are pouring in, with the EU in the lead, and the US trying to catch up.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/europe/ukraine-putin-europe-security-analysis-intl-cmd/index.html

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Russian Ministry of Defense claims 2,870 Ukrainian soldiers killed, 498 Russians.

https://twitter.com/DrAlakbarov/status/1499073100067000320

In the first 10 days of the invasion of Iraq the US had 65 deaths. Even if you were to believe the Russian numbers, which I don't, they've had a much worse time of it than the US did in 2003.

I personally consider the Ukrainian numbers marginally less plausible than the Russian ones, but there's no dispute Russia is not getting the Iraq 2003 swift victory they wanted.

[It’s so Joever]

Maybe this has been put up already, but in a way Putin is causing his worst nightmare perhaps to happen. His invasion has turned the EU into a functional military alliance of its own, with Germany doubling its defense budget and others ratcheting up theirs as well. Why? You guessed it. They pondered what might have been if Trump had been President and one like him possibly being President in the future, and did not like what they "saw." So it is time that they ceased to be tied to the US hp, and be able to act independently, if need be. A new loci of military power has been born, and the EU is willing to pay the price, because free loading off the US has become way to risky a scheme. So ironically in that one sense only, Trump caused something positive to happen by getting elected, and then defeated.

And the EU munitions are pouring in, with the EU in the lead, and the US trying to catch up.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/europe/ukraine-putin-europe-security-analysis-intl-cmd/index.html

Um finally a based Eurosphere.

[sguberman]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/us/politics/russia-ukraine-china.html

[Aurelius]

Maybe this has been put up already, but in a way Putin is causing his worst nightmare perhaps to happen. His invasion has turned the EU into a functional military alliance of its own, with Germany doubling its defense budget and others ratcheting up theirs as well. Why? You guessed it. They pondered what might have been if Trump had been President and one like him possibly being President in the future, and did not like what they "saw." So it is time that they ceased to be tied to the US hp, and be able to act independently, if need be. A new loci of military power has been born, and the EU is willing to pay the price, because free loading off the US has become way to risky a scheme. So ironically in that one sense only, Trump caused something positive to happen by getting elected, and then defeated.

And the EU munitions are pouring in, with the EU in the lead, and the US trying to catch up.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/europe/ukraine-putin-europe-security-analysis-intl-cmd/index.html

I did not imagine this would be how we'd finally get Europe to stop freeloading on defense.

[compucomp]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/us/politics/russia-ukraine-china.html

I personally believe this to be true. What's the problem? Effectively China gave Ukraine several more weeks to prepare for the invasion. It's not China's fault Ukraine didn't do enough with the time to prepare for war and instead spent most of it denying that war would even happen.

[WMS]

Much to unpack from the UNGA vote, but…

Latin America and the Caribbean:
Yes: 28
Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay.

Abstain or Cowards who didn’t vote at all to hide their Abstain: 5
Bolivia (finally made up their damn minds), Cuba, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Venezuela.

85% versus 15%.

I believe there’s a Latin American and the Caribbean consensus on this.

[sguberman]

I wonder if there was any behind the scenes actions done to maximize votes against Russia at the UN?

[The Free North]

Much to unpack from the UNGA vote, but…

Latin America and the Caribbean:
Yes: 28
Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay.

Abstain or Cowards who didn’t vote at all to hide their Abstain: 5
Bolivia (finally made up their damn minds), Cuba, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Venezuela.

85% versus 15%.

I believe there’s a Latin American and the Caribbean consensus on this.

4 HP countries and 1 meme country. Not great company on the no side.

[brucejoel99]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/us/politics/russia-ukraine-china.html

I personally believe this to be true. What's the problem? Effectively China gave Ukraine several more weeks to prepare for the invasion. It's not China's fault Ukraine didn't do enough with the time to prepare for war and instead spent most of it denying that war would even happen.

E       E       E
   P    P     P
     O O O
E P O C O P E
     O O O
   P    P     P
E       E       E

[Aurelius]

Rumors flying about a Romanian MiG-21 disappearing a bit north of Constanta, Romania.

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1499110909792423938

Romania is a NATO member.

[compucomp]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/us/politics/russia-ukraine-china.html

I personally believe this to be true. What's the problem? Effectively China gave Ukraine several more weeks to prepare for the invasion. It's not China's fault Ukraine didn't do enough with the time to prepare for war and instead spent most of it denying that war would even happen.

E       E       E
   P    P     P
     O O O
E P O C O P E
     O O O
   P    P     P
E       E       E

This is nonsensical, what exactly is there to cope about here? You type illogical things yet get approval because "hurr durr China bad"?

[Omega21]

Rumors flying about a Romanian MiG-21 disappearing a bit north of Constanta, Romania.

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1499110909792423938

Romania is a NATO member.

Good Lord, why are they flying equipment fit for a museum next to an active warzone...

[Splash]

Russia is basically doing a pariah state speed run at this point.

https://twitter.com/ABarbashin/status/1499102820011843587

[President Johnson]

Russia is basically doing a pariah state speed run at this point.

https://twitter.com/ABarbashin/status/1499102820011843587

Putin is making Russia great again.

[Astatine]

Zelensky with NUT approvals.

[Omega21]

First the Taliban, now this...

I fear the Simulation might completely break soon, call IT support, now!

https://twitter.com/Ahmadinejad1956/status/1499088073115811848

[Person Man]

First the Taliban, now this...

I fear the Simulation might completely break soon, call IT support, now!

https://twitter.com/Ahmadinejad1956/status/1499088073115811848

Someone read my line in my signature.

[John Dule]

Has anyone else seen this story about a Russian oligarch supposedly putting a bounty on Putin? How seriously should I take this?

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1499100975126265867