After hearing countless reporters ask about and pundits talk about implementation of a no-fly zone, this somehow seemed appropriate. Apologies for the dark humor.
It could be bogged down. If playing Combat Mission has taught me anything, it’s that plowed fields stop armor better than anything.
Shadow Empire tells me it ran out of supplies unexpectedly.
From the Pentagon briefing:
I also wonder how long until the Ukrainians unleash that on one of those massive Russian troop concentrations.
Assuming it’s stuck in that field they’d have to use it on targets within range of where it sits and avoid targeting an area where there would be civilians. They’ve also got one salvo. All that to say that I doubt militarily this is really much of a get for them.
That it hasn’t fired is a get. Said in as friendly a manner as possible.
Yes, I guess I should have added that the benefits it actually provides are: 1) Denying it to the Russians 2) Propaganda win
Seems US Govt is happily peddling the idea that Russian troops deliberately sabotaging their gear. Oops, that was already quoted above. Apologies to the authorities.
You can’t very well say that when other people try to articulate what they think Putin thinks, that they are making straw man arguments because they can’t really know what Putin thinks; then immediately go on to articulate what you think Putin thinks.
In any event, I think that Putin probably believes some things that are irrational and unfounded. When he acts on the basis of those irrational and unfounded beliefs, it doesn’t really make much sense to point to those irrational and unfounded beliefs as a kind of justification for the action. It can be an explanation certainly, but it is an explanation for a wrong and unjustified action.
Just like the Falklands war was a great marketing campaign for the Exocet missile, it does seem like this war is going to be fantastic for sales of the DB2.
Thanks! In my opinion, there is a difference between “my understanding is what Putin thinks…” and “Putin thinks…” In the first case, I state that it’s my opinion. In the second case, it’s stated as a fact.
I’ve been thinking and I worry I don’t see the way out in this one, not only for Putin, but for the West.
The damage to Russia’s economy will soon be irreversible in the short and medium term:
In case there are eventually peace talks, and Putin is not deposed, the West has to offer Putin some sort of out that helps him spin whatever deal is reached.
But the longer this goes on, the harder it is for me to envision such a deal. I see only three outcomes:
1-Russian “victory”. They remain isolated but their economy does not collapse. Full Iron Curtain up again.
2-Putin deposed/resigns/whatever. Change of leadership that allows for a Western change of stance.
3-Russian “defeat”. While they “win” in Ukraine, their economy collapses.
That’s the sort of thing that leads to you talking past each other. You should grant that everyone understands that nobody can read minds, and when people say ‘Putin thinks’ they’re talking about what they believe Putin thinks, and then respond to the substance. Otherwise you aren’t going to get anywhere. Just my view, for what it is worth.
I’m afraid this is true. The outcome, whatever is going to be, is going to suck for everyone. The Ukrainian people will be affected the most, of course, but I don’t see any winners in the situation.
Lurb
4873
Every “fear” Putin has is either plain lies or pure projection. Because he has the bomb. No one is ever going to attack Russia proper or anywhere under his direct protection.
So all the talk about “NATO expansion” just means “I’m angry when you protect people I wanted to bully”.
I completely agree with that. I think I can substantiate my opinion by pointing to the sources, but I would need to do some googling for that,
Quaro
4875
If you’re looking for live coverage, this can be pretty good:
https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1OdKrBealBqKX
Warning the live report from people on the ground in Kharkiv is bone chilling. It’s still a bunch of random guests so it can occasionally go off the rails, but the hosts are ok generally. Though once in awhile they get caught up debating which specific tank model something is or whatever.
I mentioned that fighting game tournament a few hours ago.
I just found out the woman who was helping all of the fighting game players was slightly injured in bombing.
This is something that I hope western leaders are starting to consider already. Just hard to see offering generous economic help to Russia with Putin in power at this point.
