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What should our response be if Russia invades Ukraine?
- Thread starter Blitzkrieg
- Start date
I hereby make the declaration that all who desert Gamecock Nation shall henceforth be referred to as "taterniks".
I remember back in 1984 when I was in the Navy, we went to Athens Greece. What was strange was when we pulled in to drop anchor, there was a Russian ship right there in the harbor. Back then it was still the Soviet Union. Naturally, our officers all talked about watch out for Russian spies when we go ashore. We also had to always travel in pairs, never alone. And in that case, they wanted us to wear civilian clothes, so we did not stand out as much.
My buddy and I went ashore and decided to go find a bar. We sat down and ordered our drinks. That was when we realized there were 2 Russian right there at the next table in uniform. They were both looking at us, so I asked how they were doing? The waitress had to interpret for me. One of them spoke French and he translated for the other one.
Thankfully the waitress was friendly, spoke great English, and did not mind translating.
They both acted afraid to even chat. I told them we just wanted a couple drinks, and we would leave. The one guy asked, do they not let you drink on the ship?
I was about to play it off and ask him what ship, but they did not seem like spies. I said no, do they get to on their ship? They said only the officers got to drink on the ship. I asked things like what part of Russia they were from and how long they had been in? One of them asked us the same. Then they both wanted to hear about NY City and Rock and Roll bands.
I remember asking them if they were forced to join the Navy? They thought that was an odd question. They said it was a privilege to join the Military instead of being forced to go work in a factory. Only so many men got the opportunity.
They seemed to really love their country for letting them be in. Thinking about them, and how much they thought it was so special to be in. To them there was nothing wrong with the Soviet Union. It was all they even knew. There schools did not teach them about different forms of government. They did not even know what I was talking about when I asked if they voted.
It seems odd to hear about desertions. But those two were not being forced to go fight a country so close.
A lot of people do not realize, Ukraine was part of USSR. Back in the 80's, that was all the same country more or less. It was just like the difference between South and North Carolina. Some different state laws, but all the same people.
If we were to have a civil war and I was asked to go fight those coots from Georgia, I would say heck yeah! NOT!
I bet some of those Russian troops feel the same way. They grew up with folks from Ukraine and now Putin wants them to go kill them. It may still be special to be in the military, but to be asked to fight people so close, it must be tough.
I am sure Ukraine has some trouble too. I mean they have to protect their country but look who they are fighting against. I bet a lot of those soldiers at one time dreamed about a vacation in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
I would love the chance to talk with the guys I met in Athens.
My buddy and I went ashore and decided to go find a bar. We sat down and ordered our drinks. That was when we realized there were 2 Russian right there at the next table in uniform. They were both looking at us, so I asked how they were doing? The waitress had to interpret for me. One of them spoke French and he translated for the other one.
Thankfully the waitress was friendly, spoke great English, and did not mind translating.
They both acted afraid to even chat. I told them we just wanted a couple drinks, and we would leave. The one guy asked, do they not let you drink on the ship?
I was about to play it off and ask him what ship, but they did not seem like spies. I said no, do they get to on their ship? They said only the officers got to drink on the ship. I asked things like what part of Russia they were from and how long they had been in? One of them asked us the same. Then they both wanted to hear about NY City and Rock and Roll bands.
I remember asking them if they were forced to join the Navy? They thought that was an odd question. They said it was a privilege to join the Military instead of being forced to go work in a factory. Only so many men got the opportunity.
They seemed to really love their country for letting them be in. Thinking about them, and how much they thought it was so special to be in. To them there was nothing wrong with the Soviet Union. It was all they even knew. There schools did not teach them about different forms of government. They did not even know what I was talking about when I asked if they voted.
It seems odd to hear about desertions. But those two were not being forced to go fight a country so close.
A lot of people do not realize, Ukraine was part of USSR. Back in the 80's, that was all the same country more or less. It was just like the difference between South and North Carolina. Some different state laws, but all the same people.
If we were to have a civil war and I was asked to go fight those coots from Georgia, I would say heck yeah! NOT!
I bet some of those Russian troops feel the same way. They grew up with folks from Ukraine and now Putin wants them to go kill them. It may still be special to be in the military, but to be asked to fight people so close, it must be tough.
I am sure Ukraine has some trouble too. I mean they have to protect their country but look who they are fighting against. I bet a lot of those soldiers at one time dreamed about a vacation in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
I would love the chance to talk with the guys I met in Athens.
I don't have a clue but i would think some Ukrainians want to be back in Russia as civil wars go...
some Ukrainians probably don't want to fight Russia... such is war in that part of the world, history repeats itself, as this region and the Middle East change lines/borders or causes but the war goes on and the financiers stay the same!
Russia used (non-nuclear) MERV Ballistic missiles on strike in Ukraine. First time these have been used in combat. MERVs are multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles, typically fitted with nuclear warheads on ICBMs that one missile can launch multiple warheads to different targets.
Not really. Russians have always looked down on Ukrainians, Poles & obviously nazis.
This explains some of the smugness & jealousy towards Ukraine as Ukraine evolved into more of a western nation.
It's hard to believe, but Ukraine existed before Russia. It was Stalin who starved millions of Ukrainians (Holodomor) and forced them to fight some of the fiercest battles v. the Nazis in WWII.
There was a reason the Ukrainians were resistant to giving up their nucs (Budapest Memo) at the end of the cold war. They knew the Russians all too well.
Budapest Memorandum - Wikipedia
Soviet famine of 1930–1933 - Wikipedia
That's now considered not an ICBM, but the "Kedr" is something more like an advanced SCUD with multiple warheads. If it had of been an ICBM, they would have broken a treaty.
Here's an interesting comment: "Since day 1 of the invasion, Russia has struck Ukraine with nuclear-capable missiles like Iskander, Kinzhal, and Kh-101/102. Another ballistic missile launch is no different....."
Some videos of NATO jets training in an area of the UK known as the Mach Loop.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr7oRaJngLc
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9HnbRmCZE
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
Unrelated, but apparently, South Korea declared martial law last night. Can't be good for global stability.
Yeah that was out of left field. Weird.
FurmanCock
Grand Poohbah
Well the Middle East just got a whole lot more interesting with the fall of Assad. Hopefully this gives Iran something to think about -- whole Sunni (Syrian rebels) vs Shiite (Iran) thing.
Does anyone think Trump negotiates peace in Ukraine?
Maybe the McArthyist will not call this a political post and have a discussion 
...
With the pardon of his son, does Biden have to protect anyone else?
Trump will pay try to rebuild it with NATO funds or he threatens to remove America after he negotiates peace... this seems to be the way things are unfolding
Do you think we see American Troops in Ukraine before 2025 is over or Trump leaves office on peaceful mission or fighting, in any capacity?
Do we see Putin and Zelensky in the same room before Trump leaves office?
Does Trump make it to inauguration?
Does Putin get held accountable or do we get a different narrative real soon?
Do you think we see American contractors in Ukraine in the next 2 years?
What does peace look like in Ukraine/Russia?
Maybe the McArthyist will not call this a political post and have a discussion
...With the pardon of his son, does Biden have to protect anyone else?
Trump will pay try to rebuild it with NATO funds or he threatens to remove America after he negotiates peace... this seems to be the way things are unfolding
Do you think we see American Troops in Ukraine before 2025 is over or Trump leaves office on peaceful mission or fighting, in any capacity?
Do we see Putin and Zelensky in the same room before Trump leaves office?
Does Trump make it to inauguration?
Does Putin get held accountable or do we get a different narrative real soon?
Do you think we see American contractors in Ukraine in the next 2 years?
What does peace look like in Ukraine/Russia?
Honestly, the whole global situation gives me brain fog right now.
The only good thing is the McRib is back at McD's.
The only good thing is the McRib is back at McD's.
The Ru-Ukr war is grinding towards a likely conclusion in '25. Russia continues to make slow gains in the Donbass region. The UAF is running out of people to use in ground combat, but they continue to make the Russians pay for any ground they take by constant drone strikes. This new brand of warfare goes both ways, with the Ukrainians taking losses via Russian drones as well.
There are daily drone & missile strikes going both ways, attacking all kinds of targets in both Ukraine & Russia.
I've also seen criticism of incompetence on both sides. Likely the best people from both militaries are either dead or out of the fight.
While the Ukrainians are running out of people, the Russian economy is in trouble and isn't fixable without an end to war spending & sanctions. Russia is now heavily dependent on NK/DPRK arms & vehicles. This was unthinkable 3 yrs ago. So far, it appears no NK/DPRK soldiers have entered Ukraine, but they only fight in the occupied area of Russia (Kursk). NK/DRPK soldiers have been slaughters by suicide drones.
Both sides need an off ramp.
It remains a huge military blunder on the part of Russia with almost no logical gains in contrast with all the losses.
The problem going forward, is all of this is deemed acceptable by Putin & may not stop him from doing more stupid things.
There are daily drone & missile strikes going both ways, attacking all kinds of targets in both Ukraine & Russia.
I've also seen criticism of incompetence on both sides. Likely the best people from both militaries are either dead or out of the fight.
While the Ukrainians are running out of people, the Russian economy is in trouble and isn't fixable without an end to war spending & sanctions. Russia is now heavily dependent on NK/DPRK arms & vehicles. This was unthinkable 3 yrs ago. So far, it appears no NK/DPRK soldiers have entered Ukraine, but they only fight in the occupied area of Russia (Kursk). NK/DRPK soldiers have been slaughters by suicide drones.
Both sides need an off ramp.
It remains a huge military blunder on the part of Russia with almost no logical gains in contrast with all the losses.
The problem going forward, is all of this is deemed acceptable by Putin & may not stop him from doing more stupid things.
Ukraine may act like a cornered dog and do some things in desperation even if us and the UK tell them not to because of their weapons stockpiles.
The NATO countries might also step in and change the game one way or the other, too.
It's still one of those ugly European bookshelf wars. As much as we might like to think we're in control, I think that's wishful thinking after a certain point.
The NATO countries might also step in and change the game one way or the other, too.
It's still one of those ugly European bookshelf wars. As much as we might like to think we're in control, I think that's wishful thinking after a certain point.
Going on 3 years now…. Putin thought he would be done in 3 weeks. Big miscalculation, but I don’t see him backing down.
What I'm hoping is that Trump takes office and makes his phone calls and both sides use his intervention/mediation/negotiations whatever they want to call it as an excuse to find a way to stop this madness.