Russia-Ukraine war and related tensions Megathread

[bagelman]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

[Boobs]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Wait till you hear who’s in NATO!

[TiltsAreUnderrated]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Iran's interests here are likely more economic than political. They are poor and heavily sanctioned: Russia offers hard cash and (allegedly) some technology transfers. The supply may have something to do with the smuggling of Iranian ammunition to Ukraine, but I suspect that is a secondary concern.

Other "anti-Western" states haven't taken the steps Iran has for a number of reasons, despite being in a decent position to supply Russia with this or that. I believe the most important difference is that most states are not yet so isolated. America - and to a lesser extent Europe, because our governments have unfortunately followed America's in this regard - has forced Iran into a far harsher sanctions regime than the one Russia faces, for reasons that are not entirely clear (given the reluctance to actually forge ahead with the nuclear deal, among other things). We are doing this for the Iran hawk lobby in the US and to curry favour with regional "partners" (primarily Israel and KSA) who are proving to be almost useless in this situation.

Edit: to be clear, I'm not blaming these "partners." They've been pretty clear in how unreliable they'd be for a long time, and the blame lies with our governments for ignoring this reality.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

It's pretty ironic considering how the US was founded that the UK is a key ally of it now, right? Also pretty weird that the US is allied with Japan, and that it, UK and France are all allied with Germany too, right?

[NOVA Green]

So a big problem with the Shahed is, ironically, its slow speed (115 MPH max speed), which is below the stall speed of almost all fixed wing aircraft, plus its low cost making MANPADS ineffecient to use against it. But there is a solution, if we dare to use it.

and I can think of the perfect ace for the job



In other news, an SU-34 crashed into an apartment lock in Yeysk, Krasnodar loaded with ammunition, though the pilot ejected. Whoever caught this picture deserves an award

https://twitter.com/svtv_news/status/1582034844631982082

So does anybody know if the Russian pilot passed his training class and is now eligible to fly on combat missions?

I guess this might be might be one way to get out of military service.



Seriously though, one needs to wonder to what extent the Russian Military having deployed manner military into the combat zone is having a major impact on training these new Mobniks...

[NOVA Green]

Russia gives ultimatum to Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant Workers:

Sounds like a lot of of them like the "new boss" less than the "old boss".

Ukrainian technicians working to ensure the safe operation of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have been told by occupation authorities that they have until Thursday to choose sides in the escalating struggle for control of the reactor complex.

Senior officials of Russia’s Rosatom said Ukrainian staff who sign up as employees of Moscow’s atomic-energy company would keep their jobs and could be offered Russian passports, according to plant workers, Ukrainian officials and diplomats posted to the United Nations’ nuclear agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared earlier this month that the nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, is the property of the Russian Federation. Workers fear that not signing could cost them their jobs and make them targets for occupation authorities.

Under Ukrainian law, joining Rosatom could make the technicians collaborators and subject to arrest, trial and imprisonment. Ukraine’s military has been rolling back Russian advances. The front line in the area is just across a river from the plant.

“If they don’t sign the statement, they won’t have a livelihood, to feed their family, children,” said a worker who left the plant this summer and made his way to Ukrainian-held territory. “If they sign, they will be a traitor and a collaborator…it all stinks.”

But on Wednesday, a small team of Rosatom officials summoned the plant’s Ukrainian management into an assembly hall and handed out forms to join the Russian company. When the officials asked if there were any questions, the Ukrainians silently stood up and walked out of the hall, a plant employee and Ukrainian officials said.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-gives-ukraine-nuclear-plant-workers-ultimatum-to-pick-a-side-11666025113

[NOVA Green]

Germany concludes that Nord Stream gas line explosions were likely sabotage:

German investigators have determined that the series of explosions along key undersea gas pipelines from Russia to Europe were likely caused by sabotage, according to officials familiar with the probe, adding weight to similar preliminary findings by Swedish officials.

German investigators haven’t been able definitively to link the suspected sabotage to any one actor, but some German officials say they are working under the assumption that Russia was behind the blasts. The explosions created leaks affecting three of four pipes that are part of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, built under the Baltic Sea to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe.

Moscow has denied responsibility and said the explosions were a terrorist attack aimed against Russian interests. A preliminary Swedish probe concluded earlier this month that the explosions that took place in late September were likely caused by sabotage, but it also didn’t name a culprit. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization said shortly after the attacks that the leaks were the result of sabotage but didn’t provide any evidence or name a culprit.

Some German officials say it was unlikely that the suspected sabotage was performed by a military submarine, citing the relatively shallow depth of the water and the typically close submarine monitoring conducted by NATO navies in the area. One theory about the attack is that explosive devices were lowered from a ship and then detonated remotely, the German officials said.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/nord-stream-blasts-were-likely-result-of-sabotage-german-probe-finds-11666016047

[NOVA Green]

Looks like it likely it possibly wasn't the pilot's fault...

Russian Air Defense systems might well have shot down their own plane during a training exercise and sent it into a high rise apartment building...

Not sure if this speaks to the strengths or weakness of Russian Military capabilities...

https://twitter.com/NLwartracker/status/1582102968953733120?s=20&t=gw6jf7AV_...

[NOVA Green]

Russia appears to be relying much more heavily on military airlift from Crimea to support their military supply chains after the curious incident on Kerch Bridge and Ferry issues due to weather...


https://twitter.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1581987303924584448?s=20&t=gw6jf7AV_...

[HillGoose]

Perhaps we also need to send Ukraine drones to strike Russian military targets even more effectively, including on Russian soil if used to terrorize Ukraine.

It is more than fair for Ukraine to ask for help to have the ability to do that.  It is up to the collective West to decide if they want to take a risk of providing such abilities.

hell yeah it is

imagine being afraid of nuclear war like some kind of coward pussy

[NOVA Green]

Death count up to (6) with an additional (6) missing after a Russian Air Training Exercise:

Also, Russia is now offering major compensation (Not sure what Rubles are worth these dayz in real value) for the victims of the Russian Military training exercises, which apparently caused "Collateral Damage" against their own civilians.

Due to the crash of the Su-34 Yeysk fighter, six people were killed, and six more residents of the affected house do not get in touch. It is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

https://zona.media/chronicle/ejsk?_share=1&event=50599

The governor of the Krasnodar Territory, Veniamin Kondratiev, promised to pay a million rubles each to the families of those who died in the crash of a fighter jet in Yeysk. It is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the vice-governor Anna Minkova.

“The governor made a decision on financial assistance from the regional budget. 1 million rubles - for the families of the victims, 400 thousand rubles - for severe and moderate victims. And 100 thousand rubles for each family member for the loss of property, ”Minkova specified.

As Kondratiev later added , each family member registered in the apartment will be paid 50,000 rubles in case of partial loss of property, or 100,000 rubles in case of complete loss of property. In addition, each victim will receive a lump sum of 10,000 rubles.

https://zona.media/chronicle/ejsk?_share=1&event=50596

[TheReckoning]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

[DINGO Joe]

Remember Circling Tank?  Apparently a couple of orcs tried to recover it.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1582160703095394304

[Virginiá]

Good thread on why Kerch bridge repairs will take so long and why shipping & travel via ferry is not nearly enough, particularly through the winter, which is going to jam up everything even more

https://twitter.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1582045663830736900

[bagelman]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

Schematics. They are authoritarian regimes.

[Hindsight was 2020]

Done posting...

This thread is a crap thread especially in early morning and late at night.

Thought I actually provided real stuff, ignore trolls without putting them on ignore, but yet apparently none of my contributions matter, while meanwhile Troll attention whores get all of the action.

Maybe a time zone scene, but whatever...

Burnt out too much heavy sh*t going on in my personal life, so why bother anymore?

Spent way too many hours of my life invested in Putin's genocidal war in Ukraine, and really it seems like this thread is a handful of individuals who actually care, a bunch of trolls who are rooting for Russia to win, and tons of "Meme Posters"...

Why Bother... depressed in Oregon.

I like your content NOVA ☹️

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Done posting...

This thread is a crap thread especially in early morning and late at night.

Thought I actually provided real stuff, ignore trolls without putting them on ignore, but yet apparently none of my contributions matter, while meanwhile Troll attention whores get all of the action.

Maybe a time zone scene, but whatever...

Burnt out too much heavy sh*t going on in my personal life, so why bother anymore?

Spent way too many hours of my life invested in Putin's genocidal war in Ukraine, and really it seems like this thread is a handful of individuals who actually care, a bunch of trolls who are rooting for Russia to win, and tons of "Meme Posters"...

Why Bother... depressed in Oregon.

I like your content NOVA ☹️

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

Schematics. They are authoritarian regimes.

Semantics!?

[Middle-aged Europe]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

"Not even remotely close".

Imagine unironically believing this.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Done posting...

This thread is a crap thread especially in early morning and late at night.

Thought I actually provided real stuff, ignore trolls without putting them on ignore, but yet apparently none of my contributions matter, while meanwhile Troll attention whores get all of the action.

Maybe a time zone scene, but whatever...

Burnt out too much heavy sh*t going on in my personal life, so why bother anymore?

Spent way too many hours of my life invested in Putin's genocidal war in Ukraine, and really it seems like this thread is a handful of individuals who actually care, a bunch of trolls who are rooting for Russia to win, and tons of "Meme Posters"...

Why Bother... depressed in Oregon.

I feel and fully understand your points. Try not to get bogged down by it.

[TheReckoning]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

"Not even remotely close".

Imagine unironically believing this.

Fascism has only existed since 1915. What features do Iran or Russia have that could not be ascribed to pre-1915 polities?

[Middle-aged Europe]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

"Not even remotely close".

Imagine unironically believing this.

Fascism has only existed since 1915. What features do Iran or Russia have that could not be ascribed to pre-1915 polities?

That's a different question and issue than the question whether they are not even remotely close to fascism. You're trying to change the topic.

[Omega21]

Well, the new Russian commander certainly is working hard to confirm the rumors about his bold (or ruthless) leadership style

https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1582285715970613248

[CumbrianLefty]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

"Not even remotely close".

Imagine unironically believing this.

The poster in question also thinks Pinochet wasn't right wing.

[Isaak]

It is ironic that given how many Russo-Persian wars took place between the 1650s and 1820s now Iran emerge as a key ally for Russia.

Fascist Russia and Theocratic Fascist Iran agree on one thing: the western world order of democracy and human rights, not to mention US power, must be overturned.

Neither of those two regimes are even remotely close to fascism.

"Not even remotely close".

Imagine unironically believing this.

But it's true. Neither Russia nor Iran are fascist in any meaningful sense of the word. Pretending otherwise shows either (a) a lack of knowledge about fascism, (b) a lack of knowledge about these countries, or (c) both.

Even terms like 'theocracy' are thrown around way too casually. Iran is a hybrid regime with democratic elements at worst; a proper theocracy looks completely differently.