War in Ukraine

[Optimist]

Now they seem to make it official. 

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-creates-foreign-legion-volunteers-abroad-join-fight-russia-1683024

I totally understand why people would want to go fight for Ukraine against the Russian invaders. It strikes me as a pretty bad idea unless a person speaks the language and has a good understanding of the local geography and politics, or at least is part of a group that has members with that knowledge that the person has good reason to trust. I don't mean this just in reference to the current war in Ukraine, but conflicts more broadly. It seems like it would be pretty easy to end up in "Wait, are we the baddies?" situations.

[majorhavoc]

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44514/transformation

Looks like the beleaguered Ukrainian air force won't be getting more front line fighter jets any time soon. They're putting up a hell of a fight but with Russia's vast numerical superiority and extensive surface based AA assets, I suspect they're rapidly wearing down the Ukrainians.

[Anianna]

I don't speak Ukranian or Russian to confirm any of what is allegedly going on here, so I cannot confirm the accuracy.  Allegedly, these are POWs captured by Ukraine.  They lived in the separatists regions and are just teachers who were told to report and fight with no military training.  There is a decent chance that even if all that is what is happening in the video, they're just lying, as well.  Hard to say.  Allegedly the man interviewing them says, "You are safe now, you are lucky, some of your colleges were not so lucky and they will stay in the mud."


https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/t4f8ri/captured_russian_soldiers_video_is_long_but_all/



Also, Ukraine is offering amnesty and 5million rubles (over $47k) to any Russian military personnel who surrender to Ukraine. 

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/02/28/Ukraine-offers-amnesty-and-money-to-Russian-soldiers-who-lay-down-their-weapons-#:~:text=Ukraine%20will%20give%20amnesty%20and%20money%20to%20Russian,efforts%20to%20end%20Moscow%E2%80%99s%20assault%20on%20its%20territory.


https://old.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/t4311q/ukraine_offering_amnesty_and_money_to_russian/



Here's a video of a Russian who surrendered being fed by Ukranians.  They let him call his mother, too.  Translation in the comments.


https://old.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/t4zyj0/ukrainians_provide_hot_food_and_tea_to_a_russian/



Edit:  Not sure why the Reddit link shows as the post having been removed.  I just checked and it's still there.  If I click the link, it goes to it. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I'm just going to drop this here:

Russell Bonner Bentley
https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/son-wealthy-businessman-foot-soldier-vladimir-putin-russia-hacking/


2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cA9cGUGr00


Current

https://www.reddit.com/r/yourmomshousepodcast/comments/t3yk92/super_cool_guy_from_texas_fighting_along_side/

The info I've been able to find on this guy suggests he's been embedded with the Russians since 2014 when fighting began in the Donbass region of Ukraine.

Makes me wonder how many others there are like him there.

[Anianna]

I'm just going to drop this here:

Russell Bonner Bentley
https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/son-wealthy-businessman-foot-soldier-vladimir-putin-russia-hacking/


2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cA9cGUGr00


Current

https://www.reddit.com/r/yourmomshousepodcast/comments/t3yk92/super_cool_guy_from_texas_fighting_along_side/

The info I've been able to find on this guy suggests he's been embedded with the Russians since 2014 when fighting began in the Donbass region of Ukraine.

Makes me wonder how many others there are like him there.

Yea, the Vice Interview was from 2015.  He seems to have put on a little weight between then and now, so not sure how actively he's been fighting, but he's definitely been over there for years.

[Anianna]

I saw this claim today: Ukrainian authorities have informed citizens that you don't need to declare captured Russian tanks or any equipment they pick up as personal income

[Raptor]

Now they seem to make it official. 

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-creates-foreign-legion-volunteers-abroad-join-fight-russia-1683024

I totally understand why people would want to go fight for Ukraine against the Russian invaders. It strikes me as a pretty bad idea unless a person speaks the language and has a good understanding of the local geography and politics, or at least is part of a group that has members with that knowledge that the person has good reason to trust. I don't mean this just in reference to the current war in Ukraine, but conflicts more broadly. It seems like it would be pretty easy to end up in "Wait, are we the baddies?" situations.

I cannot begin to explain what a bad idea it is for a foreign national not familiar with the language, politics and geography to volunteer to fight in this or any other conflict (other than having family in harms way and going to retrieve them).

Edited to add...

I saw this claim today: Ukrainian authorities have informed citizens that you don't need to declare captured Russian tanks or any equipment they pick up as personal income

Ok ... getting a free tank may be another reason. But remember you have to pay for shipping it home.

[mzmc]

Yeah... you remember those Western volunteers who joined the YPG to fight ISIS, many of them without prior military experience?

Do you know the first thing the Kurds did? Teach them how to field strip an AK blindfolded? Training in small unit combat tactics?

Nope. Crash courses in Kurdish, basic Arabic, and the religious, political and historical background of the conflict.

Because, really, anything else just spells disaster.


EDIT: spelling

[flybynight]

https://news.yahoo.com/photos-russia-targets-ukraine-civilians-183123295.html

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Yeah... you remember those Western volunteers who joined the YPG to fight ISIS, many of them without prior military experience?

Do you know the first thing the Kurds did? Teach them how to field strip an AK blindfolded? Training in small unit combat tactics?

Nope. Crash courses in Kurdish, basic Arabic, and the religious, political and historical background of the conflict.

Because, really, anything else just spells disaster.


EDIT: spelling

The Ukrainian government and civilians might be doing the same thing for any foreigners who show up wanting to help fight off the Russians.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I'm just going to drop this here:

Russell Bonner Bentley
https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/son-wealthy-businessman-foot-soldier-vladimir-putin-russia-hacking/


2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cA9cGUGr00


Current

https://www.reddit.com/r/yourmomshousepodcast/comments/t3yk92/super_cool_guy_from_texas_fighting_along_side/

The info I've been able to find on this guy suggests he's been embedded with the Russians since 2014 when fighting began in the Donbass region of Ukraine.

Makes me wonder how many others there are like him there.

Yea, the Vice Interview was from 2015.  He seems to have put on a little weight between then and now, so not sure how actively he's been fighting, but he's definitely been over there for years.

I doubt he's on the frontlines. He's more likely to be a propaganda mouthpiece for the Russians. Sort of the Soviet version of Tokyo Rose from WW2.

[aikorob]

https://news.yahoo.com/photos-russia-targets-ukraine-civilians-183123295.html

Mrs. is seeing reports of thermobaric shells\bombs being used in Kyiv and Kharkiv

[NT2C]

Now call your mother and explain to her what you are doing:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udu5CNsMlF0

[NT2C]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nifxKIhFSuw

[Anianna]

https://news.yahoo.com/photos-russia-targets-ukraine-civilians-183123295.html

Mrs. is seeing reports of thermobaric shells\bombs being used in Kyiv and Kharkiv

For anybody unaware, here is a brief explanation of what a thermobaric bomb is:

https://news.yahoo.com/what-is-a-thermobaric-bomb-and-why-is-it-so-deadly-120341716.html

[NT2C]

https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/t4cbu7/the_ukrainian_army_has_captured_an_abandoned/?ref=share&ref_source=link

[NT2C]

https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-26-22/h_0050ad4a0b55a2fdd9753d00b44efc40

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/t4cbu7/the_ukrainian_army_has_captured_an_abandoned/?ref=share&ref_source=link

I could be wrong and I likely am, but it looks like a few of those tubes on that launcher aren't empty.

[NT2C]

https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/t4cbu7/the_ukrainian_army_has_captured_an_abandoned/?ref=share&ref_source=link

I could be wrong and I likely am, but it looks like a few of those tubes on that launcher aren't empty.

Yet.

[mzmc]

Coming back to the Chinese question...


https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/t55dln/voting_on_draft_resolution_aes11l1_aggression/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

China abstained.

UN resolutions by themselves mean nothing, but they didn't vote against it. Which is... a message of sorts, I guess.