Ukrainian pilots arrive in Poland to pick up donated fighter jets

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/28/ukrainian-pilots-arrive-in-poland-to-pick-up-donated-fighter-jets-00012560

Quote

In a move likely aimed at increasing pressure on Europe to act, the Ukrainian parliament on Monday tweeted that Europe was sending 70 fighter planes to Ukraine, including 28 MiG-29s from Poland, 12 from Slovakia and 16 from Bulgaria, along with 14 Su-25s from Bulgaria.

Nice. F you, Vlad!

9 minutes ago, paco said:

Putin had no choice, if you really think about it

that GD sleestak pope forced him into a corner. 

5 minutes ago, Abracadabra said:

BS!

There are people in Kyiv reporting on this. 

sounds like there are FAR more Ukrainians willing to fight than Russian conscripts, hey Comrade!?  LOL

1 minute ago, Alpha_TATEr said:

that GD sleestak pope forced him into a corner. 

always those damn sleestaks

9 minutes ago, Abracadabra said:

BS!

There are people in Kyiv reporting on this. 

if I were you I'd demand your Russian troll farm employer pay you in crypto, because the Ruble is not going anywhere but down.

25 minutes ago, Abracadabra said:

Preventing your own citizens from leaving the battlefield is a good thing because the other guy started the war. 

Morally bankrupt!

Yeh you’re right, the Russians have a fantastic track record of letting conscripted men decide whether they want to fight or not…..

10 minutes ago, SNOORDA said:

It’s really as simple as that.  
which is why Putin need to be off’d

That is the most efficient way to end this for sure. But unless the West has an asset that close to Putin, the Russians need to be the ones to do it.

Even if we DID have an asset, assassinating Putin in a way that draws a line back to the West would likely kindle WWIII.

 

1 minute ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

That is the most efficient way to end this for sure. But unless the West has an asset that close to Putin, the Russians need to be the ones to do it.

As far as reports from on the ground, or even from media sources, take it all with a dump truck worth of salt.

Propaganda from all sides will run rampant. Russia will likely take and hold half or more of Ukraine. The question is more so how costly it will be for them? In a good case scenario they can only take about half and get bogged down. In a worst case situation they will take the whole country in a month or two.

So far they are on schedule with our invasion of Iraq, but Ukraine is about 50% bigger. We’ll see if they can keep up the pace.

Just now, TEW said:

As far as reports from on the ground, or even from media sources, take it all with a dump truck worth of salt.

Propaganda from all sides will run rampant. Russia will likely take and hold half or more of Ukraine. The question is more so how costly it will be for them? In a good case scenario they can only take about half and get bogged down. In a worst case situation they will take the whole country in a month or two.

So far they are on schedule with our invasion of Iraq, but Ukraine is about 50% bigger. We’ll see if they can keep up the pace.

Iraq had a lot less world support. Little from neighbors. Ukrainian pilots are picking up 70 donated fighter planes in Poland. Nothing like that happened in Iraq.

4 minutes ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

That is the most efficient way to end this for sure. But unless the West has an asset that close to Putin, the Russians need to be the ones to do it.

Even if we DID have an asset, assassinating Putin in a way that draws a line back to the West would likely kindle WWIII.

If the US assassinates Putin it’s WW3. We aren’t even legally allowed to do it, but if we did, nukes start flying.

Also, I’d be really careful about creating a power vacuum in Russia. Putin is evil and a clear enemy, but he’s a rational actor with clearly thought out and circulated ambitions. You don’t know what happens when he’s gone.

Just now, TEW said:

If the US assassinates Putin it’s WW3. We aren’t even legally allowed to do it, but if we did, nukes start flying.

Also, I’d be really careful about creating a power vacuum in Russia. Putin is evil and a clear enemy, but he’s a rational actor with clearly thought out and circulated ambitions. You don’t know what happens when he’s gone.

Not sure if that's true anymore

1 minute ago, Toastrel said:

Iraq had a lot less world support. Little from neighbors. Ukrainian pilots are picking up 70 donated fighter planes in Poland. Nothing like that happened in Iraq.

Absolutely true. But I do think the idea that Russia isn’t winning this thing so far is kind of a Baghdad Bob take.

 

2 hours ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

HOLY SMOKES

 

 

Holy crap....unload on that convoy

Just now, VanHammersly said:

Not sure if that's true anymore

It’s absolutely true. Taking Ukraine back was telegraphed by Putin for decades, and there are clear geopolitical reasons for it: a buffer state against NATO, food security, warm water ports, etc.

This is why I tried to tell people to read Carl Schmitt. Just because someone is ruthless does not mean they are not rational. Just because someone is immoral does not mean they are insane.

Putin has very logical ambitions. There are clear reasons why he did this, no matter how much we may detest him or his aims.

Just now, TEW said:

It’s absolutely true. Taking Ukraine back was telegraphed by Putin for decades, and there are clear geopolitical reasons for it: a buffer state against NATO, food security, warm water ports, etc.

This is why I tried to tell people to read Carl Schmitt. Just because someone is ruthless does not mean they are not rational. Just because someone is immoral does not mean they are insane.

Putin has very logical ambitions. There are clear reasons why he did this, no matter how much we may detest him or his aims.

A full-scale invasion wasn't the action of a rational man.  Incremental territorial claims, like he was doing with Donbas would've been rational.  This was stupid.

6 minutes ago, TEW said:

If the US assassinates Putin it’s WW3. We aren’t even legally allowed to do it, but if we did, nukes start flying.

Also, I’d be really careful about creating a power vacuum in Russia. Putin is evil and a clear enemy, but he’s a rational actor with clearly thought out and circulated ambitions. You don’t know what happens when he’s gone.

I would have agreed with that a week ago. But now, no.

A rational actor would not have seen the situation and thought the cost of invading Ukraine was worth the return. 

1 hour ago, Mike030270 said:

I think if he was in office right now he'd antagonize Russia while it appears they are losing and could make it worse

It doesn't look like Biden is even close to potentially starting ww3 but I do hope he's careful

Taking a nap and letting President Z handle things like a boss is the right move.

Luckily, the US government doesn't need Fox News, the GOP majority, and Donald Vladmirovich to oppose scum like Putin.

2 hours ago, DrPhilly said:

 

nutty

Dude holding that camera is calm as hell. I'd have been at least swearing my ass off.

Just now, Diehardfan said:

Taking a nap and letting President Z handle things like a boss is the right move.

The sanctions that Biden pushed for and got are crippling Russia right now.  Pretending like he hasn't played this well is a little silly at this point.

31 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

Let me get this straight.

It's the civilians fault for wanting to stay where they live? and the presidents fault for suggesting they should stay where they live?

Good lord man

Ahkbar Khadajbra would be the first one to run and hide in the safe room when Russia invaded the US.  He’s a chicken crap wannabe all American tough guy patriot, but in reality he hates his country and no decision ever made here by any leader will be the right one in his mind.  

7 minutes ago, Kz! said:

 

JFC. I can not imagine a day where I cared any less about that than today, though tomorrow looks promising.