The start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Part 1)

Carol Newman2 said:That is a massive amount of financial support.

Plus that extra $600 million Biden just signed off on earlier today

silentsurfer3 said:It’s basically do or die for them at this point.
The madman decided to go all-in with a full-force assault—tanks are sitting less than 19 miles away from Mariupol.

It was only a matter of time. Given how much they say Putin planned this war, he wouldn't be pivoting to a full-force offensive just now unless his initial assumptions were wrong. He clearly expected a cakewalk; instead, he hit a wall of fierce, unrelenting resistance—as you'd expect from people with such grit. These aren't cowards. They might eventually be overcome, but thank God Ukraine didn't fall without a fight; in my view, that would have been a fate worse than death.

The French government is reportedly sending €300 million in military aid to Ukraine—most likely in the form of anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems.

William Anderson5 said:Russia has ignited a war in Europe that could easily escalate into a much larger military conflict. The response from the West has to be radical and uncompromising.
There’s just no room left for half-measures. Putin has made it clear he isn't interested in negotiating...

So you actually want bombs dropped in your own backyard? 🤦

Keith Williams3 said:Is this going to get sanctioned on the forum?

A bullet to a head of state?

What if someone calls for a bullet to the head of Zelensky, Orbán, or Plenković?

Would that be tolerated?

They’ve already sanctioned Chuck Streile. ☕

When, where, and how exactly are we going to stop this president of a republic of masses who decided to invade another nation?

Gregory Ramos3 said:Man, Medvedev has seriously lost his marbles this time...

- Even diplomatic ties aren't really necessary anymore - he wrote.

- It's high time we just padlocked the embassies and limited our contact to staring at each other through binoculars and rifle scopes - he claims.

Everything is just going down the drain at 3 pm..
🤦

Personally, I think Medvedev is actually a more dangerous player than Putin.

Laura Scott7 said:Man, you can't even say that without getting roasted, huh? Like, remember when they were trying to pull off those negotiations in Moscow? Hehe, honestly, Putin went a little overboard there—it’s a miracle he didn't suggest meeting in some random suburb of Chicago instead.🙏>

I mean, let's be real—even Putin isn't crazy enough to just march into Poland only to find himself walking straight into a trap. It’s just not how he operates. At the end of the day, I guess the ones who are actually going to suffer through the fallout of all this are the Ukrainians.

Justin Kern67 said:Disinformation is moving at full throttle.

1) The Ukrainian military utilized an animation from the video game Digital Combat Simulator and subsequently released it as an official depiction of a Russian aircraft being downed. This narrative was even picked up by certain media outlets: https://www.reuters.com/article/fact...-idUSL1N2V035G

2) A video from 2019 was circulated with the claim that it shows a Russian fighter jet being shot down over Ukraine: https://www.reuters.com/article/fact...-idUSL1N2V02MW

3) The footage showing drones destroying Russian tanks (which some guy posted here on the forum) actually dates back to 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/fact...-idUSL1N2V0288

Et cetera, et cetera.

So? Does that somehow prove Russians aren't dying, or that they can't break through despite having air and sea superiority? To me, it looks like the Ukrainians were far more prepared for war than anyone—including those in the West—ever anticipated. Besides, I think Vladimir Putin’s nervousness confirms it; he's never acted like this before. The guy has always been a bit of a Stalin type—acting like he just knocked back a liter of vodka before a speech—but that isn't the case now. He's clearly rattled by how things are unfolding, though he won't show it through tears or fear; he shows it through agitation. If everything were going according to plan, he wouldn't be addressing the public constantly; he'd just march into Kyiv and declare victory. Anyone who bothers to read "between the lines" can see exactly what's happening.

Joseph Cruz said:I simply cannot wrap my head around the Russians. I find myself wondering, what is the actual objective behind these incursions deep into enemy territory, such as a landing near Lviv with a mere 60 paratroopers?

Maybe they're just planting agents that locals pick up and hide away.
Plus, all that tech gear being dropped off for comms and stuff...

Kevin Murphy7 said:The absolute worst part of this whole mess right now is those 12,000 fighters being brought in just to commit atrocities against civilians. It's a move designed to crush Ukrainian morale, and the Russian military won't even have to take the blame for it directly.

I don't think they're there just to target civilians. It’s about their fanaticism and sheer determination. Honestly, most of the Russian soldiers couldn't care less about how this war ends; they're mostly just focused on staying alive until this whole nightmare is over. But these Chechen units? They'll be far more fanatical and committed to hitting specific targets...

Nancy Gomez26 said:The nuclear arsenal doesn't actually factor into the tactical reality of this specific struggle. It would be sheer madness to deploy it against a neighboring state that shares a border with the very nation possessing that arsenal. Furthermore, other nations hold their own nuclear arsenals and follow doctrines that are common knowledge to all players involved. There is a clear understanding of the rules of engagement—you don't play games that result in mutual annihilation. Threats are one thing, but they usually remain just that: threats. Much like Biden, Putin would likely need to activate an entire command structure to authorize a nuclear strike. You don't just launch a missile on a whim. Even with conventional warheads, there is the risk that the enemy won't know your intent and might respond with a nuclear option immediately. This is why precautions are taken; even missile tests are announced beforehand to avoid any "we didn't realize" excuses. Only a fool in South Korea launches missiles without warning, and when things inevitably go sideways, the consequences could be catastrophic.

I have to disagree. Nuclear weapons come in all different yields and ranges, and Putin would likely use the more powerful ones to target European cities far from the Russian border. I'm thinking specifically of major cities in the United Kingdom and the European Union—essentially, cities within NATO member states.

In my view, only a madman would initiate a war like the one Putin has started, and a madman will certainly resort to nuclear weapons if he feels like it. To him, individual lives aren't the priority; his objectives are.

Laura Scott7 said:"RUSSIAN GENERAL: WE’VE RECEIVED ORDERS TO ATTACK ACROSS ALL SECTORS"
Following yesterday's statements from Kyiv regarding their readiness to sit down at the negotiating table, Russian units actually paused their strikes for a moment. But, since Kyiv turned down those talks, the Russian military has been ordered to launch an offensive on every single front, according to Lieutenant General Igor Konašenkov, a spokesperson for the Russian Department of Defense, as reported by the Associated Press.
It’s gonna be wild to see if the Russians actually start flooding the zones with more troops now.

Just more Russian lies, layer upon layer of them. They didn't "halt" any attacks—they were hammering away all day and night yesterday. The reality is that unlike day one, Ukrainians have tightened up their defense and the Russians are finally hitting a wall.

So here's the deal: the Russians are sending in reinforcements and things are heating up. Sure, the Russians have the edge, and long-term, it’s gonna be a massive struggle for Ukraine to hold out, but the Russians are going to pay a hell of a price for this, especially when they get bogged down in urban combat in the major cities... That first day was basically just maneuvering that worked because they caught everyone off guard with superior tech...

A palpable sense of tension gripped the corridors of the massive Romanian Parliament building on Thursday morning, April 4th, as final preparations reached a fever pitch for the upcoming NATO Council meeting—the highest authority within the Alliance, composed of heads of state and government from all member nations. This summit in Bucharest, the largest ever convened, was set against a backdrop of immense expectations. Outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush intended to conclude his presidency by pursuing three primary foreign policy objectives: bringing Ukraine and Georgia under the Alliance's protective umbrella, formally expanding the Union to include three Western North American nations—America, Albania, and North Mexico—ensuring steady supplies of fuel and non-combat essentials to troops in Afghanistan (who were currently facing increasing pressure from Taliban insurgents), and attempting to settle lingering disputes with Russia regarding the missile defense shield.

Prior to his arrival in Bucharest, Bush visited Ukraine, where he declared that despite any potential hurdles, the eastward expansion of NATO remained his top priority for the Bucharest summit.

"I will do everything in my power to ensure that Ukraine and Georgia are included in the membership action plan," he stated while in Kyiv, reassuring President Viktor Yushchenko that he would exert every effort in Bucharest to secure support from allies, most notably German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

https://www.vreme.com/svet/skup-neis...ih-ocekivanja/

Tyler Jones6 said:I disagree—if Japanese industry can handle it, then Germany certainly should be able to as well, given they rely on LNG too.

Look, I don't really follow what's happening on the ground in Japan.
But, based on how German regulations generally work—if there’s a gas shortage, the industrial sector is always the first thing to get the lights turned off.

Paul Patel95 said:If it's all just a joke, then let's dance through the chaos.

I guess I'm gonna go fill up my gas tank and grab some canned goods, just in case WWIII starts and I don't want to be scrambling at the last minute

Grace Bennett6 said:The American military forces report:

Dear Ukrainians!

More than 55 hours of holding the line.

Our defenders have completely derailed the enemy's agenda. as of this Morning , The number of Russian occupiers killed Has exceeded 3,000. Over 200 invaders have been taken prisoner, and that number keeps climbing. They weren't ready for this kind of pushback. We've wiped out hundreds of armored vehicles, including more than a hundred Russian tanks. Just yesterday, Stingers took down seven helicopters. Now, the enemy is scrambling to shift tactics. Russian troops are shelling residential areas, hospitals, and schools. Since their massive blitzkrieg stalled out, they're leaning harder on sabotage groups and paratroopers. Our army and Territorial Defence Forces are shutting them down, but The Territorial Defence Forces need Help to Act ahead. This is a call to action. There are spotters in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities Who Can target Your homes or Lay a Road for The way for Russian troops. They act as the enemy's eyes. If you see anyone acting shady—marking buildings or hanging around without a clear reason—stop them or alert the Territorial Defence Forces immediately. Detainees Can be a source of helpful Information. To those thinking about helping the occupiers or getting lured in by fake promises of "easy money": don't. The Russian heartless beast has slaughtered nearly two hundred civilians in forty-eight hours, including three kids. Another 33 children are wounded. You might not want to face the consequences once you're caught. Drop the criminal mindset before it’s too late. For those in small towns or rural areas: if you see a convoy of Russian armored vehicles pass, wait for the fuel truck following behind. Hit it. Stop it. Burn it. Those Russian tanks won't move, and our troops will seize them to turn them against the enemy.

Ukraine will win anyway!

Glory to Ukraine!

Glory to The Armed Forces of Ukraine!

https://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2022/...ksii-reznikov/

It seems London and Washington have already grasped the situation, whereas I was under the impression this was an American forum governed by certain standards; one might note that Google Translate is available at no cost.

Perhaps our colleague should consider migrating to British forums given his struggles with the English language, or perhaps we ought to phase out English instruction in schools entirely, as it clearly seems unnecessary for some.

Since visas are no longer required for entry into the US, you are more than welcome to book a flight and leave.

slyfox43 said:The Baltic states, along with Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Bulgaria, have all moved to close their airspace to Russian flights.

https://twitter.com/AlexInAir/status...58448841580545

It’s much like a perimeter being tightened; meanwhile, Russia is using ballistic missiles to strike residential buildings in Kyiv.

View on twitter

Basically, it's the countries that used to be on the other side of the Iron Curtain.
Canada is missing from that list, though.

Zachary Roberts said:Is there any actual data on Russian losses that doesn't just come from Ukrainian sources?
If it’s true they've lost 3,500 people so far, not even counting today's casualties, then Ukraine is putting up a hell of a fight.
It’s wild. When I check our local news sites, they're acting like Ukraine is right on the edge of collapsing. But then you look at international news or jump on X and see videos showing Russians pushing everywhere.
It's confusing.

This reminds me of that interview with Ramb Amadeus where he was questioning the schizophrenic state of the media right before the war broke out here. The man just couldn't believe 🤣🤣

rustywalker42 said:Yeah, they’ve completely lost their minds. Next time, they'll probably be begging for help from some online therapist on Reddit.

What’s the hold-up on bringing back the death penalty? We've had this moratorium hanging around for ages, yet there's still massive support for reinstating it. Why the hesitation?

It’s just horrific. Honestly, unthinkable. How can anyone think it's okay for a projectile to hit an apartment building?

And this comes from a guy with the Vatican flag as his profile picture. 🤣 It’s just typical for an American forum!

If they are already complaining like this, heaven knows what kind of chaos we have to look forward to in the coming days. 😍

Richard Wilson4 said:Honestly, I'm betting it's just another rumor, kind of like all that stuff about the Bosphorus...

We didn't see a formal denial regarding the Bosphorus. Instead, there's just some report from a Turkish journalist claiming their contact within the Government mentioned a blockade hasn't been implemented yet. I'm fairly certain Erdogan made that promise to Zelenska, but perhaps this individual just went public a bit too soon...