War in Ukraine

[TeDaDeS]

Ukraine appears to still deny is was their rocket, while US confirmed it was. I assume it was Ukrainian but who knows, maybe it’s an easier sell for future peace.

I read Moldova was hit and tried to find a source, but that article (not the one I linked) could have framed it like: Moldova hit by blackout after Russian rocket attack. While this attack could obviously have been the one on Ukraine and not on Moldova itself.

 

[TeDaDeS]

2 people dead in Poland, at the border with Ukraine, apparently because of Russian missiles.
Poland is of course a NATO member (and UE, and Schengen, etc.).
Glups.

Russia says it wasn¡'t them. USA says they can't confirm it was Russia. Poland keeps holding crisis meetings.

While it was confirmed it was a Ukrainian air-defense missile, it somewhat doesn't make sense.
Air-defense rockets are designed to self-destruct when not hitting their air-target. What is the chance 2 rockets fail, fly off and hit Poland. Not impossible, just very unlucky.
It does still make sense to not escalate from NATO-side, so to not blame Russia directly while privately they can still use it as leverage against them. So if that would be true, in both case (either Ukrainian or Russian) the reaction would be the same.

update:
It's a single rocket. I don't know why some sources report two or why the Ukrainian president stated that Moldova was hit with a rocket. Possibly it's translation errors missing the nuance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cAwCFdLi-E

 

[netcat]

It doesn't matter who did it let's just make excuses so we aren't all obligated to declare war.

 

[pyrat]

Air-defense rockets are designed to self-destruct when not hitting their air-target. What is the chance 2 rockets fail, fly off and hit Poland. Not impossible, just very unlucky.

Not sure, but I've heard Russia has used S-300, which are in theory ground to air, to hit ground targets when short of better weapons. I don't know if Ukraine may be doing the same,
and maybe just confused a modified S-300 with a regular one, or used what they had against an incoming missile but failed, or it self-destructed too late and still killed people.
If it was Ukraine planting a false flag attack on Poland to get the NATO to fight Russia, and then denying it, it is so silly it's unbelievable. They could have found thousands of
more plausible scenarios, and not waste a scarce air defense missile.
But if it was Russia, then the target seems very little interesting (unless there were weapons in transit hiding in those grain silos), but besides, how did they do it ?
If it really was a S-300 and it had to be fired from less than 150 km, then Belorussia, the sea or Russian positions are all too far.
Or can S-300 be launched from planes ? I don't think so...
Or then again it wasn't an S-300 and the debris found is planted to confuse the public, or it was an S-300 stored there that another missile destroyed, or...
I think we the public will never know. And @netcat is right, it doesn't matter. Most likely, whoever it was, it wasn't on purpose.

It does still make sense to not escalate from NATO-side, so to not blame Russia directly while privately they can still use it as leverage against them. So if that would be true, in both case (either Ukrainian or Russian) the reaction would be the same.

Well yes. But i regret a little the discourse "whoever it was it's Russia's fault". There's no shortage on terrible things that are Russia's fault, no need to add any one if you don't think Russia fired the missile.
And Poland has given Ukraine weapons, and logistics, and received millions of refugees, so two Polish people dead is not to downplay like nothing happened.
I'd like both sides to say they're sorry, more than blame each other.
But then I'd like no war, and all...

update:
It's a single rocket. I don't know why some sources report two or why the Ukrainian president stated that Moldova was hit with a rocket. Possibly it's translation errors missing the nuance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cAwCFdLi-E

Maybe it's a confusion because ther ewere two people dead ?

 

[TeDaDeS]

Not sure, but I've heard Russia has used S-300, which are in theory ground to air, to hit ground targets when short of better weapons.

I think Russia modified those rocket and they aren't as good at this task I think. I'm not aware Ukraine has modified S-300 rockets and why they would be in that part of Ukraine and not near the Russian border were the fighting is at.

Well yes. But i regret a little the discourse "whoever it was it's Russia's fault". There's no shortage on terrible things that are Russia's fault, no need to add any one if you don't think Russia fired the missile.
And Poland has given Ukraine weapons, and logistics, and received millions of refugees, so two Polish people dead is not to downplay like nothing happened.
I'd like both sides to say they're sorry, more than blame each other.
But then I'd like no war, and all...

I agree, I think Zelensky is going to Poland to visit the site. I assume he'll apologize if he's sure it's Ukraine's fault.

Maybe it's a confusion because there were two people dead ?

Not sure, maybe, but also two explosions are reported. I find it strange that there can be so much confusion except everyone is just directly reporting on shaky reports.

 

[Confuzzled]

The 'fog of war' is is both irritating and frustrating, but it is just normal journalistic uncertainty and/or inaccuracy amplified. We won't know anything approaching the truth until a couple of generations of historians have analysed things, and secret archives are opened up after an appropriate number of years.

From my point of view, the hypothesis that it was a mistake in entering target coordinates doesn't appear to be regarded as a valid possibility any more: but I don't understand why. If you go directly south from the location the missile(s) hit by the same number of degrees of longitude as Lviv is south of Kyiv, you land almost exactly on a railway station in the west of Lviv called Rudno (Рудно) (search for "Rudno, Lviv" in OpenStreetMap), which is on a reasonably critical set of tracks, and could plausibly be the Russians attempting to do the same as the Ukrainians and destroy the logistics routes for carrying war materiel. Who knows. It might even be true.

In general, I'm concerned that the Russian tactics of destroying electricity and gas infrastructure might work, in terms of forcing Ukraine to a position where it is no longer possible to fight. I'm also concerned about the messages coming from the USA that they are running out of spare materiel (surplus ot the USA'/sNATO's requirements for fighting WW III ) to send to Ukraine, and have challenges in ramping up armament production. Russia is capable of absorbing huge losses - it is not hyperbole when Russian point out the sacrifices they made in the Great Patriotic War (known as WW II to others) - reckoned as 20 to 27 million deaths. As long as the current Russian government maintains its authority, the fight can continue pretty much indefinitely. I see no prospect of overthrow of the Russian government. This might be a bleak or pessimistic view, but I believe it to be accurate. The Russians can fight for longer than 'the West' has the will to support Ukraine for, which Putin is counting on.

 

[pyrat]

The 'fog of war' is is both irritating and frustrating, but it is just normal journalistic uncertainty and/or inaccuracy amplified. We won't know anything approaching the truth until a couple of generations of historians have analysed things, and secret archives are opened up after an appropriate number of years.

ACK

From my point of view, the hypothesis that it was a mistake in entering target coordinates doesn't appear to be regarded as a valid possibility any more: but I don't understand why. If you go directly south from the location the missile(s) hit by the same number of degrees of longitude as Lviv is south of Kyiv, you land almost exactly on a railway station in the west of Lviv called Rudno (Рудно) (search for "Rudno, Lviv" in OpenStreetMap), which is on a reasonably critical set of tracks, and could plausibly be the Russians attempting to do the same as the Ukrainians and destroy the logistics routes for carrying war materiel. Who knows. It might even be true.

But if it really was an S-300 the point is that they don't have enough autonomy to reach Przewodów from wherever the Russians or the Belorussians are able to fire from.So I heard, I don't know. Even with wrong coordinates it would fall short before getting there.
Now, if it wasn't an S-300 but something longer range, then it might be...
The other option is that some Ukranian soldiers might be Russian spies and try to fire an Ukranian S-300 from Ukraine to Rudno and mistake the coordinates, firing to Przewodów. But I think that's going out on a limb...
I think the simplest explanation is still Ukranians trying to defend against Russian missiles and launching an S-300 that reached Poland by mistake.
But we won't know the truth...

In general, I'm concerned that the Russian tactics of destroying electricity and gas infrastructure might work, in terms of forcing Ukraine to a position where it is no longer possible to fight. I'm also concerned about the messages coming from the USA that they are running out of spare materiel (surplus ot the USA'/sNATO's requirements for fighting WW III ) to send to Ukraine, and have challenges in ramping up armament production. Russia is capable of absorbing huge losses - it is not hyperbole when Russian point out the sacrifices they made in the Great Patriotic War (known as WW II to others) - reckoned as 20 to 27 million deaths. As long as the current Russian government maintains its authority, the fight can continue pretty much indefinitely. I see no prospect of overthrow of the Russian government. This might be a bleak or pessimistic view, but I believe it to be accurate. The Russians can fight for longer than 'the West' has the will to support Ukraine for, which Putin is counting on.

Well, the point is they have to fire from far away, and the missiles cost a lot of money. They're probably spending more money on their bombs than what the destroyed equipment costs. Of course destroying it causes more harm than just the cost of the destroyed equipment, but doesn't seem very sustainable. Just as the west can run out of weapons or production capacity so can the Russsians.

And destroying the infrastructure or even freezing or starving the Ukranians is not the best solution. Then the Russians still have to invade, and once in the territory they destroyed, it'll be the Russians who will have to bring fuel, electricity and do the repairs to infrastructure.
If it was just a good strategy, they would have used it before. The general they have now, the one that destroyed Aleppo, may like this strategy, but I don't think the strategy makes so much sense to invade a country as it did to stop a revolution in the country you're already controlling. It's half a military strategy and half a psicological strategy to force Ukraine to negotiate, give away some land and wait until Russia rearms and takes the rest. But Ukranians already lived trhough that in 2014, and now they know it doesn't end well.

The Russians have many more soldiers to sacrifice than the Ukranians, but even without a coup d'etat, it appears that Russian troops motivation is nowhere near WWII levels. For Ukranians it might be similar as then.
I can't tell for sure, I only get news form one side, and they're likely to be half news and half propaganda. But I think the situation is bad for both sides.

 

[Confuzzled]

They're probably spending more money on their bombs than what the destroyed equipment costs.

I'm not sure about that: the Iranian Hesa Shaed 136/Russian Geran-2 drones are cheaper than the missiles the Ukrainians are using to shoot them down.

 

[pyrat]

I'm not sure about that: the Iranian Hesa Shaed 136/Russian Geran-2 drones are cheaper than the missiles the Ukrainians are using to shoot them down.

Well, I'm no expert. I think the missiles are very expensive, the suicide drones are cheaper but they fly lower and slower so they could be shot down with fire from old-fashioned antiaircraft turrets or even a machine gun if you're very lucky.
The problem is Ukraine is big and has targets all over, so they can't probably have turrets everywhere. Ground to air missiles have more range and can be integrated with radar stations covering larger areas, but yes, they're expensive.

 

[Confuzzled]

Well, I'm no expert. I think the missiles are very expensive, the suicide drones are cheaper but they fly lower and slower so they could be shot down with fire from old-fashioned antiaircraft turrets or even a machine gun if you're very lucky.
The problem is Ukraine is big and has targets all over, so they can't probably have turrets everywhere. Ground to air missiles have more range and can be integrated with radar stations covering larger areas, but yes, they're expensive.

Could - yes. Practical - no. As you point out, you'd need anti-aircraft guns pretty much everywhere in Ukraine, and they would not be very effective, because the drones are small, and as a result of flying low, present a fleeting target - this was a problem for the British in WW II dealing with German V-1 bombs - they flew faster than mobile anti-aircraft batteries could traverse.. They also don't care about being hit, unlike pilots.
One point of weakness is their navigation. I believe they use GLONASS, so if that can be jammed, or the signal overridden with one that gives false information, the drones could be diverted off-target. Putting cheap GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo/GPS jammers in the vicinity of critical infrastructure could be a useful thing to do. I expect it has already been tried, but failed to work.

 

[pyrat]

Could - yes. Practical - no. As you point out, you'd need anti-aircraft guns pretty much everywhere in Ukraine, and they would not be very effective, because the drones are small, and as a result of flying low, present a fleeting target - this was a problem for the British in WW II dealing with German V-1 bombs - they flew faster than mobile anti-aircraft batteries could traverse.. They also don't care about being hit, unlike pilots.
One point of weakness is their navigation. I believe they use GLONASS, so if that can be jammed, or the signal overridden with one that gives false information, the drones could be diverted off-target. Putting cheap GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo/GPS jammers in the vicinity of critical infrastructure could be a useful thing to do. I expect it has already been tried, but failed to work.

Sure, you're right.
But I wonder if it would be cheaper to just let the bombs fall and replace the equipment instead of intercepting them.
Of course the problem is you never know whether the bomb will reach a machine or an appartment with people.
Reuters ran a story suggesting the purpose of the bombing is depleting Ukranian air defences so than further on russia can
support land operations from the air. Of course the targets must be valuable to cause Ukranians to spend air defences to protect them, but
once they run out of air defences, Russians can invade with air support.

 

[TeDaDeS]

Ukraine today bombed Engels Airfield in Russia. This is way deep in Russia compared to previous attacks.
According to Russia Ukraine used antique (Thunderbirds inspired looking) Russian rockets to perform the attack, where I doubt if it's a reverse compliment for themselves.
This Russian airfield is used by the aircraft that perform the attacks on the energy facilities in Ukraine, but is also part of their nuclear strike force. Two aircraft are damaged, 3 people killed.
According to Russian doctrine a nuclear response is warranted when critical military infrastructure is attacked, still I doubt this would happen; but again discussion are raised in Russia due to this attack.

Snippet of this doctrine (translated obviously):
19. The conditions specifying the possibility of nuclear weapons use by the Russian Federation are as follows:
a) arrival of reliable data on a launch of ballistic missiles attacking the territory of the Russian Federation and/or its allies;
b) use of nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction by an adversary against the Russian Federation and/or its allies;
c) attack by an adversary against critical governmental or military sites of the Russian Federation, disruption of which would undermine nuclear forces response actions;
d) aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy.
Source: https://www.realcleardefense.com/ar..._expansion_and_nuclear_deterrence_774957.html

And in other news: Moldova found part of a rocket (S-300) from Ukraine, no damage occurred. But it's a reminder of the Polish incident where an actual rocket exploded.

 

[TeDaDeS]

I noticed the Netherlands is still buying oil for cheap to make some extra money while it's "not illegal yet" according to the EU.

 

[netcat]

In Switzerland they launder oil too. And broker deals between embargoed Nations.

 

[samuraicrow]

Speaking of laundering... When the USA donated so much money to Ukraine, the Ukrainian president converted it to crypto and put it in the FTX exchange. The FTX exchange was doing a fractional reserve scheme and skimmed money off the top. The CEO of FTX was the second-highest campaign donor for Joe Biden and the US Democratic party. FTX declared bankrupcy after the election. Where did all of that money go?

 

[Null]

Someone followed pro-russian protesters in Germany with circus music turned on : r/Damnthatsinteresting

teddit.net

 

[Null]

Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova

Today, 17 March 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) issued warrants of arrest for two individuals in the context of the situation in Ukraine: Mr Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Ms Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova. Mr Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin...

web.archive.org

 

[pyrat]

I read in aljazeera:

Ukraine warns against ‘panic’ after alleged nuclear threat​

Kyiv has urged Ukrainians not to panic or stockpile iodine tablets after Zelenskyy alleged that Russia planned to organise a radiation leak at an occupied nuclear plant.
Zelenskyy said this week that Russian forces controlling Zaporizhzhia – Europe’s biggest nuclear plant – were planning a “terror attack” by orchestrating a radiation leak.
The Kremlin said it was a “lie” but the president’s warning put many Ukrainians on alert and sent demand for iodine at many pharmacies skyrocketing.
“Read and share but don’t panic! Don’t play the enemy’s game. President Zelenskyy said nothing new,” the Ukrainian health ministry said late on Thursday.
“Russia is a terrorist country from which, like a monkey with a grenade, you can expect anything.”

1. Great, health minister, way to reassure people!
2. Poor mokeys! They never messed it so bad as humans. Give them some respect, poor beasts!

Oh, sorry, that was filler entertainment. Now Prigozhin claims the Russian military is bombing Wagner rear camps. Turns out monkeys not having language (that we know of, it seems they can be taught some language skills, they just may choose not to), is an evolutive advantage. Crazy times.
And I think (according to Aljazeera, I don't trust Qatar anymore than other places, even less, but they either have fresh news or good scripts), Wagner commanders just declared civil (?) war on the Russian army. Ah! And they asked please the Russsian people to remain calm (did they study with the Ukranian health minister or something ?).
This evening is a kind of summer solstice festivity in some parts of the world, allegedly the shortest and merriest night of the year. Does anyone know whether this is also some April's fools day in either Qatar or Russia or arabic or slavic countries or something ?

 

[TeDaDeS]

I read in aljazeera:

1. Great, health minister, way to reassure people!
2. Poor mokeys! They never messed it so bad as humans. Give them some respect, poor beasts!

Oh, sorry, that was filler entertainment. Now Prigozhin claims the Russian military is bombing Wagner rear camps. Turns out monkeys not having language (that we know of, it seems they can be taught some language skills, they just may choose not to), is an evolutive advantage. Crazy times.
And I think (according to Aljazeera, I don't trust Qatar anymore than other places, even less, but they either have fresh news or good scripts), Wagner commanders just declared civil (?) war on the Russian army. Ah! And they asked please the Russsian people to remain calm (did they study with the Ukranian health minister or something ?).
This evening is a kind of summer solstice festivity in some parts of the world, allegedly the shortest and merriest night of the year. Does anyone know whether this is also some April's fools day in either Qatar or Russia or arabic or slavic countries or something ?

As far as I know it's a good idea to have iodine in your house if you have kids (and if you're under 40 yourself) and there is a chance of a nuclear accident. As the government will not be able to supply those tablets within the 4 hour time-frame they are useful. Also the tablets are cheap.

Ukraine also assumed Russia wouldn't attack including all the terrible stuff that happened till this day. Preparing people that the nuclear power plant will be blown up doesn't sound like a bad idea. I do hope it doesn't come to that point, it's a very poor idea to do for everyone involved. But I guess having bad ideas hasn't always stopped people from doing them anyway.

I also think there are examples of the Russian army blocking Wagner, like mining their escape route, and having them executing their own retreating soldiers. So I wouldn't be surprised if Wagner just starts claiming their own Russian territory, just because they can, and to keep their leader safe.

 

[pyrat]

As far as I know it's a good idea to have iodine in your house if you have kids (and if you're under 40 yourself) and there is a chance of a nuclear accident. As the government will not be able to supply those tablets within the 4 hour time-frame they are useful. Also the tablets are cheap.

Yeah. I don't know where I got this from, might be totally false, but I think iodine doesn't expire any soon. Like the expiration day should last for some time. Not sure at all... And when you take iodine but you shouldn't it's not a very serious problem.
Problem is when everybody wants to buy it at the same time.

Ukraine also assumed Russia wouldn't attack including all the terrible stuff that happened till this day. Preparing people that the nuclear power plant will be blown up doesn't sound like a bad idea. I do hope it doesn't come to that point, it's a very poor idea to do for everyone involved. But I guess having bad ideas hasn't always stopped people from doing them anyway.

Yeah. I think Zelensky himself reminded that the wind could bring contamination to Russian occupied parts or Russia itself. Not that any other wind direction would make the perpetrator any sane...

I also think there are examples of the Russian army blocking Wagner, like mining their escape route, and having them executing their own retreating soldiers. So I wouldn't be surprised if Wagner just starts claiming their own Russian territory, just because they can, and to keep their leader safe.

Yes, but can they do so without asking the Russian population to keep calm ?
I mean, why on hell should Russians be calm if it comes to this?
Will Wagner sell T-shirts saying "Keep calm and have war at home"?