Russia-Ukraine war and related tensions Megathread

[Torie]

Absent Putin being toppled, he is going to annex Ukraine (not put in a puppet, but annex), and get away with it. Now the issue is whether a total economic blockade of Russia holds. If not, NATO will be toppled in lieu of Putin. And Putin is going to turn his attention to the Baltics next, and make threatening noises about Poland the border of which is going to be heavily armed. I hope I am wrong, but fearing the worst has proven spot on. Putin has been planning this for a long, long time. It is his raison d'etre, his white whale. Thank God Trump is not POTUS.

[Chips]

Boy have things sure gotten messy over the past 12 hours...I hope ordinary citizens on both sides are alright.

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/mattia_n/status/1496838436229165060

[Continential]

https://twitter.com/phildstewart/status/1496840214676967425

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

German News report that Russian forces are moving towards Kyiv. I think Putin's goal is to oust the entire Ukrainian government, which he views as pro-Western fascists, and install a pro-Russian puppet government.

If I had to guess: Zelensky and his government will soon be forced to go into exile (Poland, UK or Germany, I'd say) and there will be two Ukrainian governments, the official one in exile and a puppet regime in Kyiv. That's what it will come down to.

Putin got totally mad. I think he will follow Lukashenko path and try to capture and torture politicians and journalist to make them say "right" thing on TV. He said, he wants to purge...

[Illiniwek]

https://twitter.com/JoostBroekers/status/1496837546747502604

So bizarre to see the people’s indifference to the sirens. I would be freaking the heck out of I was there.

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

Fyodor Smolov, striker for Dynamo Moscow and member of the Russian national football team, has posted a black picture on Instagram with the comment "No to war" and an Ukrainian flag.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CaWrE-nMcyz/


Welcome to the resistance!

The most famous Russian comedian (who has prime time program on main TV) did that, too. And coupole of other celebrities. Nobody dared to mention Putin, though..

[Helsinkian]

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1496840881537699851

One would think that this scenario would require a significant Russian occupation force for an indefinite period, right? Otherwise, what would prevent the Ukrainians from overthrowing the Quislings the next month?

[Mr. Illini]

My only worry is if Russia interprets Poland becoming sanctuary for retreating Ukrainian forces counts as an "act of aggression," and it goes to war with Poland thinking NATO couldn't be invoked.

Putin and his military leaders are fully aware of what side Poland is on and they know not to touch any piece of it. They are at least that smart.

The more likely concern might be the risk of error if their operations move close to the Polish border.

[jaichind]

Russian defense ministry claims Russian air force destroyed 74 ground targets, including 11 airfields in Ukraine

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/olgatokariuk/status/1496846667403911173

[Middle-aged Europe]

German soccer club FC Schalke 04 has decided to remove the logo of its sponsor Gazprom from the players' jerseys.

Nord Stream CEO Matthias Warnig has also resigned from the supervisory board of Schalke 04.

[DavidB.]

https://twitter.com/jerusalem_post/status/1496846027747381255?s=21

[Hnv1]

It doesn't seem like the Russian offensive in Luhansk is going that well...
No troops in Mariupol either.

On the other hand it looks like Kherson is being taken

[Omega21]

From what I have just seen, at least 1 documented child casualty as a result of the bombardment, I won't be sharing the vid due to it not being censored.

Putin has really gone full retard.

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1496849908279787524https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1496849053824471041

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/1496850934298726405

[Omega21]

https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1496849908279787524https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1496849053824471041

If they establish a safe landing zone and the AA's already been neutralized, it's GG for Kyiv

Also really surprised with CNN's quality coverage, a big step up from their usual Corona fearmongering

[Logical]

Question
1. Can we now say the amphibious assault on Odessa was Russian disinformation?
2. Was there a even a VDV attack on Kyiv, if so, was it in fact repelled?

1. Yes
2. VDV is in control of the Antonov Airport for now. Ukrainians are counter attacking and a battle is raging.

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/Reevellp/status/1496849693963272193

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Shot from Kyiv as cars head out:

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1496849908279787524
https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1496849053824471041

If they establish a safe landing zone and the AA's already been neutralized, it's GG for Kyiv

Also really surprised with CNN's quality coverage, a big step up from their usual Corona fearmongering

Yeah, CNN easily was absolutely the best during this.

[jojoju1998]

https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1496849908279787524
https://twitter.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1496849053824471041

If they establish a safe landing zone and the AA's already been neutralized, it's GG for Kyiv

Also really surprised with CNN's quality coverage, a big step up from their usual Corona fearmongering

Yeah, CNN easily was absolutely the best during this.

CNN international is not the same as CNN America.

[Aurelius]

Shot from Kyiv as cars head out:

Why the Hell is there no contraflow?

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/olliecarroll/status/1496851969717190664