3082

Yeah I wasn’t aware we have been spending so much over there to beef their defences up.

U.S. officials had sought to deter a Russia invasion with diplomacy, economic sanctions and warnings that Ukraine’s forces would be tougher than in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea. Since 2014, the U.S. has committed more than $2.7 billion in security assistance to build the capacity of Ukraine’s forces, including more than $650 million in 2021 alone.

3083

Yes, I was saying whatever else is up there isn’t squawking their transponders tonight so it isn’t showing up for us to see.

3084

Looks like a BMP. Before the invasion, the Russians were adding a number of defenses to their front line MBTs specifically to foil Javelins.

3085

An appropriate cartoon (please note I’m not advocating anything, just observing the dark humor):
image

3086

That’s a BMP. Could have had a squad of Russian infantry in it, too,

3087

So say we all.

I say they should be the official Ukrainian greeting.

3088
3089

This looks like their modification to their MBT’s. Looks a little rough and ready…

3090

If it works, it ain’t stupid. The Javelin has been around since 1996, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the Russian Army has determined how to beat it.

3091

By all accounts it does absolutely nothing.

Edit: Other than give Russian tankers a false sense of security anyway.

3092

So, last time the Russian empire fell it was thought to be at least partly due to the influence of Rasputin (Распутин). Linguistically the number one is Russian is “odein” (один), but another expression of it is just “ras”. My Russian is pretty basic so I don’t quite understand why one says “odein” in some cases and “ras” in others (like counting 1,2,3 is “ras, d-va, tree”). Anyway, as Распутин ended one Russian empire here’s hoping this second Putin, or двапутин, will bring about the end of this attempt at a second Russian empire. And that’s my attempt to make a pun in a language I speak at, at best, a first grade level.

двапутин, get it.

(okay, I realize раз as in one and pас as in Распутин aren’t quite the same but come on, I’m trying here)

3093

Spetznaz roasting on an open fire, javelins nipping at your nose.

Its good to see that the Ukrainian forces are doing some work so far. And if javelins supplied to them by the US are part of why, so much the better.

3094

I was a bit surprised the first strikes happened at dawn. It’s most likely because the Russians aren’t as good at night ops as the US.

Meanwhile, sounds like Russia is getting the heavy bombers in the air.

3095

King’s College London Finance professor discusses Swift and financial sanctions against Russia:

3096

Since alot of journalism seems to happen on Twitter now, anyone want to share good twitter accounts who post information on how the war is going in a timely manner yet also try not to spread baseless rumours?

Here’s one I thought was pretty good:

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical

3097

CNN Fact Checker Daniel Dale compiled a list of what he considers reliable sources of information on Ukraine. They’re mostly on the ground in Ukraine and are constantly posting.

https://twitter.com/i/lists/1494327296383021062

3098

That’s really helpful thanks…

By the way, I happen to know (not friends with) someone who owns a gold company in Russia, he said this:

3099

Viewpoint of former Commanding General US Army Europe:

More posts at link. Bottom line, Ukraine used to have pretty poor armed forces, but they’ve improved a lot.

3100

Good to hear!

3101

I understand that no one wants for Russia to fracture into a dozen of warlord fiefs, most of which claim to have nuclear weapons. But it’s much more likely they transform into unstable but much more humane democracy like Ukraine. I’m convinced the biggest reason to attack Ukraine for Russia is to prove that this model doesn’t work for East Slavic people. Despite what you might think both Russians and Ukrainians are mostly Western people, it takes a lot of effort for the authoritarian regimes to dissuade them from creating a European style government.