The Ukraine war thread
-
Putin is feeling cocky:
"The fact is that the militaries of Western countries have been present in Ukraine for a long time," the Russian leader claimed, referring to what the Kremlin says are mercenaries.
"But if we talk about official military contingents of foreign countries, I am sure it will not change the situation on the battlefield," he added.
So now he doesn’t care if NATO members deploy troops to Ukraine, so long as no US troops are among that number?
-
Election comedy in occupied Ukraine:
"Pro-Russian locals visit households with ballot boxes, accompanied by armed military men. If they knock and no one opens, they move on to the next house. They don't break into houses, but they do visit," the local resident said.
They added: "This is ridiculous. What kind of election is it when there are two locals - one holding a list of voters and the other a ballot box - and a military man with a machine gun? This isn't democracy. It's a comedy show."
-
Ukraine targets refineries, Russia continues to terrorize and target civilians:
The tactic of firing a second missile at the same location, aiming to hit rescuers, is known in military terms as a "double tap." Such strikes often hit civilians.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-double-tap-missile-strike-odesa-1.7144818
-
"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08
The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.
-
The Russians are jamming GPS for commercial flights.
This has been going on for some time already. It’s made headlines the past couple of days because the aircraft GPS carrying the UK Minister of Defence to Poland was jammed last week.
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/01/as-baltics-see-spike-in-gps-jamming-nato-must-respond/?amp=1
UK Ministerial trip cancelled:
-
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/ukraines-survival-in-danger-pentagon-chief-warns
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday warned that Ukraine's survival was in danger and sought to convince allies that the United States was committed to Kyiv, even as Washington has essentially run out of money to continue arming Ukrainian forces.
Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has so far refused to call a vote on a bill that would provide $60 billion more for Ukraine and the White House has been scrambling to find ways to send assistance to Kyiv, which has been battling Russian forces for more than two years.
Why is Rep. Johnson refusing to hold the vote?
-
-
Aeroflot in trouble
@Wim said in The Ukraine war thread:
Aeroflot in trouble
from the article:
While Teheran is also sanctioned, at least (from Aeroflot’s perspective) it is able to get its hands on either smuggled or counterfeit components and keep at least some of its foreign aircraft flying.
I wonder why it would be easier for Iran to get airplane parts than Russia?
-
US allegedly cautions Ukraine about targeting Russian oil refineries:
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/29929
FT is a reliably credible source. Will have to see how this plays out over time. Don’t see how hitting Russian refineries affects the global price all that much. Russia primarily produces refined fuel for its own domestic use. About 24% of refined product including LNG is exported - primarily to Turkey, Brazil, China and India. Some is also exported to Belarus. FWIW, the Kremlin has been cutting its oil production during the last several months. That would have an impact on oil prices, not taking out refineries.
-
US allegedly cautions Ukraine about targeting Russian oil refineries:
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/29929
FT is a reliably credible source. Will have to see how this plays out over time. Don’t see how hitting Russian refineries affects the global price all that much. Russia primarily produces refined fuel for its own domestic use. About 24% of refined product including LNG is exported - primarily to Turkey, Brazil, China and India. Some is also exported to Belarus. FWIW, the Kremlin has been cutting its oil production during the last several months. That would have an impact on oil prices, not taking out refineries.
-
Am sure Putin will veto that..
In the meantime, Ukrainian fighter pilots graduate RAF training school:
