Russia-Ukraine war and related tensions Megathread

[Gass3268]

https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1514975179415371795?s=21&t=_OVuz3unWVXC...

[TiltsAreUnderrated]

So unconfirmed social media reports is that Putin has had the Chief Admiral of the Black Sea Fleet arrested, which probably means Putin is going to pull a Darth Vader on him if true.

Not really a scapegoat though, the guy was on the Moskva and thus made the choice to pursue a Ukrainian drone. I believe they shot down the drone but in the process put the ship in a blind spot which allowed the Neptune missiles to hit it. Taking the bait was an amateur mistake.

There's now way for Russia to replace the Moskva because they only have two other comparable ships and neither is in particularly good working order. Even if they were or if Russia opted to ignore this, they can't make it to the Black Sea without going through the straight in Turkey, which won't let them in. And the Moskva was also shielding the rest of the Black Sea Fleet from the Neptunes, it was the only ship in the fleet with a notable anti-missile defense. Hence why the rest of the fleet has withdrawn to safe areas. They can't go out again without being exposed to the anti-ship defenses.

So Ukraine actually has naval superiority now. Who would've ever expected that?

There is the Ukraina, which is 95% completed and is sitting in a Mykolayiv Shipyard.

Russia would have to spend $30 million dollars to complete it.

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

There’s the slight problem of it being in Ukrainian-held territory.

[AndyHogan14]

So unconfirmed social media reports is that Putin has had the Chief Admiral of the Black Sea Fleet arrested, which probably means Putin is going to pull a Darth Vader on him if true.

Not really a scapegoat though, the guy was on the Moskva and thus made the choice to pursue a Ukrainian drone. I believe they shot down the drone but in the process put the ship in a blind spot which allowed the Neptune missiles to hit it. Taking the bait was an amateur mistake.

There's now way for Russia to replace the Moskva because they only have two other comparable ships and neither is in particularly good working order. Even if they were or if Russia opted to ignore this, they can't make it to the Black Sea without going through the straight in Turkey, which won't let them in. And the Moskva was also shielding the rest of the Black Sea Fleet from the Neptunes, it was the only ship in the fleet with a notable anti-missile defense. Hence why the rest of the fleet has withdrawn to safe areas. They can't go out again without being exposed to the anti-ship defenses.

So Ukraine actually has naval superiority now. Who would've ever expected that?

There is the Ukraina, which is 95% completed and is sitting in a Mykolayiv Shipyard.

Russia would have to spend $30 million dollars to complete it.

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

There’s the slight problem of it being in Ukrainian-held territory.

And I would assume that the Ukrainians would sooner scuttle it than let it fall into the hands of Russia (even if it would take months/years to make the ship operational).

[Virginiá]

There is the Ukraina, which is 95% completed and is sitting in a Mykolayiv Shipyard.

Russia would have to spend $30 million dollars to complete it.

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

So close yet so far. I would bet it is no minor point of frustration for Russian officials that they have a theoretical replacement so close yet basically guaranteed to be destroyed before their army can secure it, if they are even capable of taking that city, which at this point doesn't seem possible given their widespread failure to secure even basic objectives everywhere else.

[Storr]

https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1514948701072019461

Probably not that many ,, if the ship was being towed back . It definitely would have had plenty of time to evacuate non essential crew.

The Russians wouldn’t be having this kind of memorial in the city where the Black Sea Fleet is based this soon after the sinking unless there was a major loss of life.

https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1514935650755223553?s=20&t=9f_AENjhP...

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1514932901418254339

This is the guy who was told "go f[inks] yourself" and the guy who said it is now alive and home.

[pppolitics]

https://twitter.com/olgatokariuk/status/1514944412123553796

[AndyHogan14]

https://twitter.com/olgatokariuk/status/1514944412123553796

The Ukrposhta website was working this morning, but it seems to be down again. I am assuming that it is because quite a few people worldwide (including myself) want some of those stamps.

[Omega21]

Remember last nights strike against Kiev?

Guess it was a logical target, he needs something to sell as "retribution" for the massive loss of Moskva.

A Ukrainian military factory outside Kyiv that produced missiles allegedly used to hit Russia's Moskva warship was partly destroyed by overnight Russian strikes, an AFP journalist at the scene saw Friday.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220415-russian-strike-hits-missile-unit-outside-kyiv-afp

[pppolitics]

https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1515039525956952077

[John Dule]

Remember last nights strike against Kiev?

Guess it was a logical target, he needs something to sell as "retribution" for the massive loss of Moskva.

A Ukrainian military factory outside Kyiv that produced missiles allegedly used to hit Russia's Moskva warship was partly destroyed by overnight Russian strikes, an AFP journalist at the scene saw Friday.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220415-russian-strike-hits-missile-unit-outside-kyiv-afp

Any idea whether this will have a significant effect on the Ukrainian war effort? We're sending them so many missiles already; I can't believe this will noticeably hamper their offensive capabilities.

[Middle-aged Europe]

https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1515039525956952077

So it's a confirmed kill then.

Was at this point kind of obvious really, because why else would Russia hit the plants for Ukrainian anti-ship missiles hours after their flagship sank?

Funny how the Ukrainians usually don't need any propaganda, because real events often happen to end up on their favour.

[pppolitics]

https://twitter.com/revishvilig/status/1514991812557033486

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

[Middle-aged Europe]

Scholz bows to the increasing pressure - both foreign and domestic - on him.... he still opposes giving Ukraine German tanks, but he intends to give them money so that they can buy sh**t they want.


https://twitter.com/RenieriArts/status/1515063422236479498

[Torie]

This article is a bit sobering. The author says Russia has been active in trying to degrade Ukraine's supply lines to its troops in the Dombas area, and Ukraine's troops are potentially vulnerable to getting surrounded and cut off in the area, and that is where a substantial part of its army is. And the implication is that the army is out in the countryside rather than in more built up areas that are easier to defend.

One thing I have not read much that is very good, is just how long Russia is capable of continuing this war with the scale and intensity that it has been.

https://www.kake.com/story/46296336/opinion-why-the-battle-of-donbas-will-be-a-critical-moment-in-the-wars-outcome

[Storr]

Unsurprisingly, the ship being under tow story was a lie. If this is accurate, the Moskva is in pretty shallow water, only 165 feet or 50 meters.

https://twitter.com/AndyHal15523851/status/1515049189188812800?s=20&t=UWg69V...

This Ukrainian report lines up with the rumor that a Turkish ship responded to the mayday call but was only able pick save 57 men. I'd call rescuing 57 of a 500+ man crew a failure.

https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1514991122921238528?s=20&t=UWg69VJ4L5Mz...

[Badger]

Remember last nights strike against Kiev?

Guess it was a logical target, he needs something to sell as "retribution" for the massive loss of Moskva.

A Ukrainian military factory outside Kyiv that produced missiles allegedly used to hit Russia's Moskva warship was partly destroyed by overnight Russian strikes, an AFP journalist at the scene saw Friday.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220415-russian-strike-hits-missile-unit-outside-kyiv-afp

 One has to frankly wonder why Russia hasn't previously already gone for such an obvious military target. Unless they are seriously low on missiles missiles and have to use them  So sparingly only for revenge raids like this?

[Badger]

https://twitter.com/revishvilig/status/1514991812557033486

 All I can say is these sub human bastards both need killed.  Absolutely her too. I don't give a f*** that she's a non combatant as the world would unquestionably, unreservedly be a better place With  Such a literally unredeemable person being dead.

[DINGO Joe]

Remember last nights strike against Kiev?

Guess it was a logical target, he needs something to sell as "retribution" for the massive loss of Moskva.

A Ukrainian military factory outside Kyiv that produced missiles allegedly used to hit Russia's Moskva warship was partly destroyed by overnight Russian strikes, an AFP journalist at the scene saw Friday.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220415-russian-strike-hits-missile-unit-outside-kyiv-afp

 One has to frankly wonder why Russia hasn't previously already gone for such an obvious military target. Unless they are seriously low on missiles missiles and have to use them  So sparingly only for revenge raids like this?

Well, you see a sound war plan is to focus on raping and pillaging civilians and then get around to military targets when they may become important.

[Storr]

So unconfirmed social media reports is that Putin has had the Chief Admiral of the Black Sea Fleet arrested, which probably means Putin is going to pull a Darth Vader on him if true.

Not really a scapegoat though, the guy was on the Moskva and thus made the choice to pursue a Ukrainian drone. I believe they shot down the drone but in the process put the ship in a blind spot which allowed the Neptune missiles to hit it. Taking the bait was an amateur mistake.

There's now way for Russia to replace the Moskva because they only have two other comparable ships and neither is in particularly good working order. Even if they were or if Russia opted to ignore this, they can't make it to the Black Sea without going through the straight in Turkey, which won't let them in. And the Moskva was also shielding the rest of the Black Sea Fleet from the Neptunes, it was the only ship in the fleet with a notable anti-missile defense. Hence why the rest of the fleet has withdrawn to safe areas. They can't go out again without being exposed to the anti-ship defenses.

So Ukraine actually has naval superiority now. Who would've ever expected that?

There is the Ukraina, which is 95% completed and is sitting in a Mykolayiv Shipyard.

Russia would have to spend $30 million dollars to complete it.

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

Honestly, the US should just give Ukraine several Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates (it has already been talked about for years). 7 of them are on hold for donation or "foreign military sale".

While we're at it, donate a few Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers. The US Navy is scheduled to retire 11 of them by 2024, anyway. Pick out the ships in the best condition, and sell them for scrap value to Ukraine. I know cruisers are a bit large and complex for Ukraine's Navy, but I don't care. Send over some Navy advisors to help train the Ukrainians. Ukraine needs to be able to defer future Russian aggression and a few guided missile cruisers certainly would help in that department.

[John Dule]

Remember last nights strike against Kiev?

Guess it was a logical target, he needs something to sell as "retribution" for the massive loss of Moskva.

A Ukrainian military factory outside Kyiv that produced missiles allegedly used to hit Russia's Moskva warship was partly destroyed by overnight Russian strikes, an AFP journalist at the scene saw Friday.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220415-russian-strike-hits-missile-unit-outside-kyiv-afp

 One has to frankly wonder why Russia hasn't previously already gone for such an obvious military target. Unless they are seriously low on missiles missiles and have to use them  So sparingly only for revenge raids like this?

Well, you see a sound war plan is to focus on raping and pillaging civilians and then get around to military targets when they may become important.

You just summarized my Civ V strategy.

[DINGO Joe]

Remember last nights strike against Kiev?

Guess it was a logical target, he needs something to sell as "retribution" for the massive loss of Moskva.

A Ukrainian military factory outside Kyiv that produced missiles allegedly used to hit Russia's Moskva warship was partly destroyed by overnight Russian strikes, an AFP journalist at the scene saw Friday.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220415-russian-strike-hits-missile-unit-outside-kyiv-afp

 One has to frankly wonder why Russia hasn't previously already gone for such an obvious military target. Unless they are seriously low on missiles missiles and have to use them  So sparingly only for revenge raids like this?

Well, you see a sound war plan is to focus on raping and pillaging civilians and then get around to military targets when they may become important.

You just summarized my Civ V strategy.

Well, I guess we should have gotten Putin and the gang a Steam subscription and they would have left the real world alone.

[dead0man]

Remember last nights strike against Kiev?

Guess it was a logical target, he needs something to sell as "retribution" for the massive loss of Moskva.

A Ukrainian military factory outside Kyiv that produced missiles allegedly used to hit Russia's Moskva warship was partly destroyed by overnight Russian strikes, an AFP journalist at the scene saw Friday.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220415-russian-strike-hits-missile-unit-outside-kyiv-afp

 One has to frankly wonder why Russia hasn't previously already gone for such an obvious military target. Unless they are seriously low on missiles missiles and have to use them  So sparingly only for revenge raids like this?

as Dingo Joe alluded to, apparently the Russians would rather use their few missiles on:lady hospitals, shelters full of women and children, apartment buildings and train stations than on legitimate military targets

[Storr]

A traitor dies:

https://twitter.com/RPeacockCJ/status/1515095470141489158?s=20&t=ujBbhkSWoxq...