Russia-Ukraine war and related tensions Megathread

[Beet]

Big if true….but trusting the Sun? That’s a gigantic leap of
faith.

Would you trust PBS? They reported four days ago they reported the following:

The United States believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine and has communicated those plans to the Russian military, Western and defense officials have told the PBS NewsHour.

Two additional administration officials tell the NewsHour that they expect the invasion to begin next week—reiterating what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Feb. 10.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220211200039/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/putin-to-invade-ukraine-next-week-according-to-u-s-officials

Interestingly enough however Sullivan was saying they didn't know yet. The headline was later changed, but not before it was widely reported.

I’m not saying the Sun is definitely wrong. But British tabloids do not the greatest track record when it comes to accuracy in reporting. If UK intelligence was able to find out the date and time of invasion, you might as well leak that information to a publication like the Sun. It’s more likely to get printed/publicized faster there than somewhere like the BBC, which would want thoroughly verify such information before publishing it.

Yes but in the latter case, it is straight from senior administration officials to PBS. There is no Sun involved.

[Torie]

Reading Wikipedia about the 2014 regime change makes grim reading. Putin wanted Ukraine and wanted it bad. Obviously he still does, and has been waiting for the right moment to make his move. Putin has an agenda, and to get what he wants will require force. I don't see any escape. And Putin is willing to pay the economic price, and I suspect has some assurances from China to help offset whatever economic damage results from sanctions. I will be very surprised if there is not a war by tomorrow or the next day. And unless the sanctions are but a fig leaf to it seem NATO did something, it is going to be another hit to the US economy. It looks all bad to me. The US/NATO just do not seem to have any cards that are actually playable to give Putin much pause.

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

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Around a week ago I came to the conclusion Russia was very likely to invade.

This video is what convinced me Russia feels obliged to act now.

[Person Man]

It’s 1 AM now.

[NYSforKennedy2024]

Another western nothingburger.

Yawn, but I'll watch through the night.

[NYSforKennedy2024]

Oh wow, another fake CIA talking point.

Yawn.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Oh wow, another fake CIA talking point.

Yawn.

They're claiming 1AM UK time, so another 75 minutes before your yawn.

[BigSerg]

Even I know there will be no invasion tonight

[KaiserDave]

https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1493713182262767619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7C...

https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM/status/1493623129180196872

[TheReckoning]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

[TheReckoning]

Let’s be honest: literally no one weird would’ve supported declaring war on the USSR in 1939/1940 despite all their forceful expansionist activities.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

compucomp really is the worst poster on the site

Forever-COVID SALT Thatchercrat at home, tankie abroad? Yeah. Awful.

Anyway, looks like nothing tonight so far.

[KaiserDave]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

This is something a psychopath would say, when a humanitarian disaster and a war is on the verge of happening. It is not "entertaining" or "exciting."

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

This is something a psychopath would say, when a humanitarian disaster and a war is on the verge of happening. It is not "entertaining" or "exciting."

The dude's an avowed fascist-sympathizer, are you surprised?

[TheReckoning]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

This is something a psychopath would say, when a humanitarian disaster and a war is on the verge of happening. It is not "entertaining" or "exciting."

Humanitarian disasters and wars are fertile grounds for revolution.

[Pericles]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

The world's better off as it is.

[TheReckoning]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

The world's better off as it is.

On the issue of “right to conquest” vs “right to territorial integrity”, I must go with the latter, so Russia is undoubtedly in the wrong here and shouldn’t invade. But that doesn’t mean that opportunity doesn’t come with wrong doing.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

Well, sure, but if I want my adrenaline running I can just do some exercise or watch an action movie. I don't particularly want the threat of mass death to enter into it.

[TheReckoning]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

Well, sure, but if I want my adrenaline running I can just do some exercise or watch an action movie. I don't particularly want the threat of mass death to enter into it.

Full disclaimer: I’m not going to say I’m not being naive here- maybe I am, and maybe I’m letting my adventurous spirit getting in the way of my rational and ethical mind.

I typically view times of strife and challenge as times for opportunity and the furthering of myself and humanity.

But of course, that’s ignoring just how severe that strife/challenge can be in terms of consequence, which often end up destroying opportunities and holding back myself and humanity.

[hurricanehink]

There is a similar excitement about the potential invasion that is much like a powerful hurricane or tropical cyclone approaching land. You know it’s gonna be bad, and maybe it’ll change at the last minute. I’m an atheist, so prayer doesn’t do much good. All I can do is watch and hope for the best possible outcome - a weakened Russia, a more unified European bloc, and eventually positive change in that part of then world.

[Person Man]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

Well, sure, but if I want my adrenaline running I can just do some exercise or watch an action movie. I don't particularly want the threat of mass death to enter into it.

Full disclaimer: I’m not going to say I’m not being naive here- maybe I am, and maybe I’m letting my adventurous spirit getting in the way of my rational and ethical mind.

I typically view times of strife and challenge as times for opportunity and the furthering of myself and humanity.

But Of course, that’s ignoring just his severe that strife/challenge can be in terms of consequence, which often end up destroying opportunities and holding back myself and humanity.

You make your signature look unironic but yeah. There is a part of all of us that wants to see the problem consummated. Some folks really want to watch the world burn but others just don’t like to watch these things fester.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

🍿

This isn't some kind of game.

Doesn’t mean we can’t find it entertaining/exciting. I know I will.

We could be on the brink of something that will change this world forever. Isn’t that something to get your adrenaline running?

Well, sure, but if I want my adrenaline running I can just do some exercise or watch an action movie. I don't particularly want the threat of mass death to enter into it.

Full disclaimer: I’m not going to say I’m not being naive here- maybe I am, and maybe I’m letting my adventurous spirit getting in the way of my rational and ethical mind.

I typically view times of strife and challenge as times for opportunity and the furthering of myself and humanity.

But Of course, that’s ignoring just his severe that strife/challenge can be in terms of consequence, which often end up destroying opportunities and holding back myself and humanity.

You make your signature look unironic but yeah. There is a part of all of us that wants to see the problem consummated. Some folks really want to watch the world burn but others just don’t like to watch these things fester.

I have thought today and yesterday that if Putin is going to invade I'd rather he just get it over with because I prefer to accept bad news as a reality rather than dread it as a possibility, so on that level I guess TheReckoning has a point.

[Orwell]

Let’s be honest: literally no one weird would’ve supported declaring war on the USSR in 1939/1940 despite all their forceful expansionist activities.

That's because a certain other power (that Im sure you're a fan of) was in the way.

[THG]

The Sun is hardly a reliable source of information. However, they are hardly the only outlet that is reporting this.

I have a hunch that the invasion occurs soon. Just a matter of when.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

https://twitter.com/nigroeneveld/status/1493760607287451648

So far, no invasion from Russia, which is for the best, I hope it continues.