Russian Invasion of Ukraine | A War in Europe After Hours

[Tom]

Russian army is retreating from the west side of the Dnipro in the Kherson region leaving blown-up bridges behind them as well. Unless they want to further put a dent in their logistics and cut themselves off as part of some grand master plan it seems like Ukraine might enter Kherson city in the upcoming days.

Could be a trap but I hope it is a retreat. It's massive if it is.

 

[Tom]

Today was a hugely consequential moment in a war now in its ninth month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Kherson is "ours" after Russia's retreat from the city earlier today.

"Our people. Ours. Kherson," Zelensky wrote on Telegram, alongside a Ukraine flag emoji and video footage that appeared to show Ukrainian troops gathering with residents of the city.

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1591058374019649538

 

[Crabtree]

Today was a hugely consequential moment in a war now in its ninth month.

This feels like a major moment in this war. I'd expect some sort of retaliatory missile attacks from Russia like we saw after the Kersch Bridge bombing.

What's the next target for Ukraine? Obviously, they'd love to cut the land bridge and put pressure on Mariupol but is that at all feasible?

 

[Tom]

Missiles raining down on Ukraine again today as most world leaders attend the G20 summit in Indonesia. Putin refused to attend the G20 but had Lavrov blame the west in another mad rant at the summit on his behalf.

I fear the most difficult times for the Ukrainian civilians are yet to come. Energy infrastructure is already critically damaged in some parts and with temperatures starting to drop below 0, it will be a real challenge.

 

[Bandit]

Two people have been killed in Poland after dozens of missiles were launched at targets across Ukraine, unconfirmed reports say. There has been no official confirmation of what happened close to the country's border with Ukraine.

Poland's Bureau of National Security is meeting in an emergency session.

Russia's defence ministry said the reports amounted to a "deliberate provocation aimed at escalation"

I wonder how stray "stray" turns out to be?

 

[Crabtree]

Two people have been killed in Poland after dozens of missiles were launched at targets across Ukraine, unconfirmed reports say. There has been no official confirmation of what happened close to the country's border with Ukraine.

Poland's Bureau of National Security is meeting in an emergency session.

Russia's defence ministry said the reports amounted to a "deliberate provocation aimed at escalation"

I wonder how stray "stray" turns out to be?

Seems like a less than zero per cent chance that Russia deliberately targeted a NATO country. There's nothing to gain, and potentially a lot to lose. I don't think NATO is going to invade Russia or anything, but they could step up arms deliveries to Ukraine.

 

[Cappuccino Kid]

Two people have been killed in Poland after dozens of missiles were launched at targets across Ukraine, unconfirmed reports say. There has been no official confirmation of what happened close to the country's border with Ukraine.

Poland's Bureau of National Security is meeting in an emergency session.

Russia's defence ministry said the reports amounted to a "deliberate provocation aimed at escalation"

I wonder how stray "stray" turns out to be?

There is an investigation taking place but it would appear that the missile may be Ukrainian and they were attempting to shoot down Russian missiles bombarding the country.

In a way it doesn't matter which country launched the missile. There's only one country to blame for the air in Eastern Europe being full of missiles.

 

[David76]

In a way it doesn't matter which country launched the missile. There's only one country to blame for the air in Eastern Europe being full of missiles.

Exactly. Russia is no doubt going to use this in an attempt to muddy the waters, but they can feck right off with their finger pointing

 

[Tom]

Ukraine have to find a way of sustainably protecting themselves from these missile attacks on key infrastructure that have been happening this week if they are to win a war of attrition.

Apart from the massive humanitarian issues no power or heating has on the population, they are also decimating the Ukrainian economy and productivity. Including in areas like the West that are miles away from the frontline and previously had gone on as normal. It's not sustainable for them - hundreds of thousands may die and they essentially have no economy, ability to rebuild, manufacture, or anything else whilst it continues. Regardless of the resilience of the population that's not sustainable.

The strategy at the moment seems to be planning on Russia running out of weapons and more air defence. The air defence makes sense but it's never going to be 100% and there is no guarantee Russia will run out of weapons. Particularly as the Iranians have apparently shared info on the rudimentary but effective 20k drones they have been using.

Unfortunately, as good as Ukraine are doing on the battlefield it's clearly not sustainable long term for 80/90% of the country to live without power, water etc… as it is now. From a humanitarian and economic perspective, they have to find a way to mitigate it. As I doubt Russia will stop targeting it.

 

[Best]

Ukraine have to find a way of sustainably protecting themselves from these missile attacks on key infrastructure that have been happening this week if they are to win a war of attrition.

Apart from the massive humanitarian issues no power or heating has on the population, they are also decimating the Ukrainian economy and productivity. Including in areas like the West that are miles away from the frontline and previously had gone on as normal. It's not sustainable for them - hundreds of thousands may die and they essentially have no economy, ability to rebuild, manufacture, or anything else whilst it continues. Regardless of the resilience of the population that's not sustainable.

The strategy at the moment seems to be planning on Russia running out of weapons and more air defence. The air defence makes sense but it's never going to be 100% and there is no guarantee Russia will run out of weapons. Particularly as the Iranians have apparently shared info on the rudimentary but effective 20k drones they have been using.

Unfortunately, as good as Ukraine are doing on the battlefield it's clearly not sustainable long term for 80/90% of the country to live without power, water etc… as it is now. From a humanitarian and economic perspective, they have to find a way to mitigate it. As I doubt Russia will stop targeting it.

Some good points, I also believe that without retaliation strikes in Russia, there's no deterrent for Russia.

Get Iran to fly in the arms and keep on pounding Ukraine until when? Even if they find a way to stop 95% of the missiles, they won't stop.

Ukraine must be allowed to strike launch locations, with the munitions that are capable. Or this won't end anything soon