War Invasion of Ukraine News Megathread - Thread is only for articles and discussion of articles, general discussion thread is still in Happenings.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said that the United States will impose sanctions “far beyond” the ones that the United States imposed in 2014 following the annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

“This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Biden said in a White House speech, signaling a shift in his administration’s position. “We will continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates,” he added.

Russian elites and their family members will also soon face sanctions, Biden said, adding that “Russia will pay an even steeper price” if Moscow decides to push forward into Ukraine. Two Russian banks and Russian sovereign debt will also be sanctioned, he said.

Also in his speech, Biden said he would send more U.S. troops to the Baltic states as a defensive measure to strengthen NATO’s position in the area.

Russia shares a border with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to go into the separatist Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine after a lengthy speech in which he recognized the two regions’ independence.

Western powers decried the move and began to slap sanctions on certain Russian individuals, while Germany announced it would halt plans to go ahead with the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

At home, Biden is facing bipartisan pressure to take more extensive actions against Russia following Putin’s decision. However, a recent poll showed that a majority of Americans believe that sending troops to Ukraine is a “bad idea,” and a slim minority believes it’s a good one.

All 27 European Union countries unanimously agreed on an initial list of sanctions targeting Russian authorities, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and EU foreign affairs head Josep Borell claimed the package “will hurt Russia … a lot.”

Earlier Tuesday, Borell asserted that Russian troops have already entered the Donbas region, which comprises Donetsk and Lugansk, which are under the control of pro-Russia groups since 2014.

And on Tuesday, the Russian Parliament approved a Putin-back plan to use military force outside of Russia’s borders as Putin further said that Russia confirmed it would recognize the expanded borders of Lugansk and Donetsk.

“We recognized the states,” the Russian president said. “That means we recognized all of their fundamental documents, including the constitution, where it is written that their [borders] are the territories at the time the two regions were part of Ukraine.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Putin said that Ukraine is “not interested in peaceful solutions” and that “every day, they are amassing troops in the Donbas.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday morning again downplayed the prospect of a Russian invasion and proclaimed: “There will be no war.”

“There will not be an all-out war against Ukraine, and there will not be a broad escalation from Russia. If there is, then we will put Ukraine on a war footing,” he said in a televised address.

The White House began to signal that they would shift their own position on whether it’s the start of an invasion.

“We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,” said Jon Finer, the White House deputy national security adviser in public remarks. “An invasion is an invasion and that is what is underway.”

For weeks, Western governments have been claiming Moscow would invade its neighbor after Russia gathered some 150,000 troops along the countries’ borders. They alleged that the Kremlin would attempt to come up with a pretext to attack, while some officials on Monday said Putin’s speech recognizing the two regions was just that.

But Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Tuesday that Russia’s “latest invasion” of Ukraine is threatening stability in the region, but he asserted that Putin can “still avoid a full blown, tragic war of choice.”

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[Snack Cracker]

I don't know if you're up to speed or not but Russians have recently been proven to slaughter civilians in every town they've overtaken.

This looks incredibly inefficient, it would be more feasible to just dump the bodies in a pile, pour on gasoline and light a match.

Bodies in a pile don’t allow enough air flow between corpses to allow them to be completely consumed.

Outside of the mobile units, trench cremation with strategic stacking of bodies or pyre style cremation areas with layers of stacked bodies are pretty efficient, even though the larger bones like pelvis and skulls won’t be fully broken down.
Human fat can fuel a fire for a surprisingly long time.

 

[Die Dunkle Maus]

Just FYI, it's a thing that exists

I know they have a video of a truck with a crematorium rigged up, and that's neat, but I reject the claim that it's following brigades around spewing human smoke remains in camp without actual evidence of it.

Is it possible? I guess so, as was the mobile weapons lab (which they also had mock ups of during Gulf War). I just don't believe it, sounds dumb.

 

[MarvinTheParanoidAndroid]

I know they have a video of a truck with a crematorium rigged up, and that's neat, but I reject the claim that it's following brigades around spewing human smoke remains in camp without actual evidence of it.

Is it possible? I guess so, as was the mobile weapons lab (which they also had mock ups of during Gulf War). I just don't believe it, sounds dumb.

Especially when you consider all the other ramshackle & improvised shit that's come to light, why would they dig mass graves & let their tanks run out of fuel when they've so competently kept up with their incinerator trucks?

 

[Astro Galactic Megalul]

I know they have a video of a truck with a crematorium rigged up, and that's neat, but I reject the claim that it's following brigades around spewing human smoke remains in camp without actual evidence of it.

Is it possible? I guess so, as was the mobile weapons lab (which they also had mock ups of during Gulf War). I just don't believe it, sounds dumb.

Nothing sounds too dumb in the context of Russia

 

[Nico]

I know they have a video of a truck with a crematorium rigged up, and that's neat, but I reject the claim that it's following brigades around spewing human smoke remains in camp without actual evidence of it.

Is it possible? I guess so, as was the mobile weapons lab (which they also had mock ups of during Gulf War). I just don't believe it, sounds dumb.

Dude, if The Russian Army has proved anything through this entire "Special Military Operation" is that they are not exactly the brightest kind of people. A month ago I would had thought this was just another bunch of exaggerated news but by now I can believe it.

The Russian Army is extremely dumb.

 

[The Demon Pimp of Razgriz]

This looks incredibly inefficient, it would be more feasible to just dump the bodies in a pile, pour on gasoline and light a match.

Fun fact: early in the Eastern Front, before Germany switched to wholesale slaughter in death camps, they used similar mobile "gas trucks" to gas people to death. The trucks would literally move from town to town with death squads, mass gassing civilians that the SS marked for death. They later just built gas chambers in camps because it was more efficient.

 

[Tovarisz]

Hey do I remember correctly that these mobile crematoriums were deployed when Russia wanted to rid the streets of stray dogs for sochi winter olympics? There were rumors some homeless people ended up in those too, gotta paint the grass green for the tourists.

Could have been rumors but I'd swear I've seen some articles back in the day, it was when I learned those existed.

Honestly I'm surprised russian retards don't just pile bodies and blow them with a thermobaric missile, that would be far more of a russian solution.

 

[KiwiFuzz]

Nobody has archived Zelenskyy's video for the UN alleging war crimes but it's obvious that the Russians tried to pile up and burn bodies with marginal success. Perhaps the piles shown in the video were not representative, but it doesn't look like they're doing as well at turning bodies to ash as a crematory would. Or even, as wildfires in California have shown, as a natural fire would. And it's cold enough there that anyone not burned (such as the stripped, bound, and hanged toddler) is not decomposing as a body would in the summer.

 

[Snekposter]

One of the things that's astonishing me is that the Russians don't appear to have more than a couple days worth of supplies with them. Like they were just expected to "forage" along the way, i.e. kick in the door of any supermarkets they come across and feed themselves from that.

Killing backyard chickens is not the most horrifying example of military "foraging" out there, but it speaks to a lack of planning that killing and cleaning five hens seemed like the best available option for whoever did that. And eating dogs has the stench of loserdom on it.

Russia as a whole seems to be whiffing at the kind of general military knowledge that even laypeople such as I know, and one of those is that an army marches on its stomach.

Sadly, par for the course for WW2. And this looks more and more to be just a high-tech repeat, including the Russian insistence that every dead Ukrainian was a Nazi. You can't fix stupid Russian.

If you're captured you're considered as having given up your protections as an identified combatant.

Or for my fellow Kiwis, Ukrainians are legally allowed to give them a summary blamming under the rules of war.

Its not just a matter of reverse engineering things. Technology doesnt work in real like the way it does in a video game. It takes time and money to build up the infrastructure and to cultivate the specialist labor needed to produce the reverse engineered technology in quantity. Time and money Russia simply does not have.

China has been plugging away on these things for DECADES and only now are they starting to see the first buds of fruit for their efforts.

Russia was consistently well behind the West in terms of average tech level in the military during the Cold War because of this. Russian industry, both tooling and labor force, was not capable of producing what their spies stole from the West in any real quantity, never mind what happened to to it the minute some half-literate drunken conscript about as capable as an alcoholic Forrest Gump got their hands on it.

The only Eastern Europeans who don’t want to murder Russians are Serbs and the cucks running Hungary and Belarus.

Na. Your average Belarussian is pissed that Lukashenko expects them to die gloriously for Comrade Putin. In the 1800's Orban would be considered to be playing masterful realpolitik thanks to ability (so far) to leverage balance of power politics in Hungary's favor. As much as I would like to trash the guy he's doing a pretty good job squeezing both sides for what he can, and unless and until someone actually puts their foot down I don't think he'll have a reason to change. Putin's too desperate to have anything that might be considered a friend and the minute the EU shuts off the money tap Hungary's just gonna leave, and there's a decent chance they'll drag the rest of the Visegrad with them. Certainly won't be into Russia's arms, but how convenient there's another former EU nation they can buddy up with that looks to be doing pretty good post-separation... one that's already on extremely good terms with them thanks to age-old beefs with France and Germany.

 

[Orange Man Costume]

Looks like the Putler-owned Russian State website Snopes has been casting doubt on the heckin Shoahmobiles and their ability to roast 6 gorillion Ukrainians since February.

The Telegraph report describes a video just like the above with Cyrillic text, and implies that it was released recently: “The MoD released footage of a vehicle-mounted crematorium with room to “evaporate” one human body at a time, which has been seen trailing Russian forces and is expected to follow any troops into Ukraine.”

Ukrainian media also covered this back in 2015. According to the then-head of the Ukrainian security agency, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, seven mobile crematoriums entered militant-held areas of Ukraine in January 2015. He said, “Each of these crematoriums burns 8-10 bodies per day.”

Sounds like Putler's holotrucks can exterminate Ukraine's population in approximately 1,746 years!

Independent reporting on the ground has not verified the current use of such crematoriums. As such, we rate this story as “Unproven” and will update it if more information is available.

Kremlin Snopes in literal denial of a Verified Kyiv Independent Fact that these trucks are burning literally tens of thousands of people, in trucks that only fit one body at a time.

 

[Ponderous Pillock]

EU actually paid farmers not to grow anything on their field to keep the food prices stable, so if do some tweak here and there, it should be fine in Europe. Unless you're in UK, since they're no longer in the EU. That said, it all depends on how quick both the bureaucracy and farmers can keep up with this sudden change

Who are truly fucked though is Africa and Middle East, especially since Ukraine is a major food supplier for that regions. And since those places are poor to begin with, no country's would chose to sell their surplus to them when other wealthier countries are willing to pay more

The UK is currently mulling over new agricultural policy as its long been felt the CAP was never scientifically lead or particularly efficient. Because prepping to realign your entire rural economy takes time, the UK is currently operating under its own version in which its just following EU subsidy policy until at least 2024. So we'll be fine.

So far we've seen very moderate price rises, and we meet about 77% of our food needs domestically already, the main price rises are on imported foodstuffs of which there's already domestic versions made anyway.

After this, I can imagine Poland and the other E. European states are contemplating a more permanent, dare I say "final" solution to the Muscovite Menace. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the Polaks are trying to convince Germany to go with them too. After all, Germany in the 1930's considered allying with Poland to deal with Bolsheviks, but decided instead to work with Stalin. Maybe they'll play on that historic guilt to get them onboard?

The Germans are five, probably ten years away from an effective military again after Urusla Von Der Leyen let the whole lot rot over her pathetic tenure and she is the epitomy of everything wrong with the EU by failing hilariously upwards.

Putin's too desperate to have anything that might be considered a friend and the minute the EU shuts off the money tap Hungary's just gonna leave, and there's a decent chance they'll drag the rest of the Visegrad with them. Certainly won't be into Russia's arms, but how convenient there's another former EU nation they can buddy up with that looks to be doing pretty good post-separation... one that's already on extremely good terms with them thanks to age-old beefs with France and Germany.

I'm sure Lizz Truss or Anne Marie Trevelyan would happily zip on out to the Vizegrad group and sign all sorts of "consistency" deals and throw in a few sweet aditions. Wont be any free money though.

 

[Astro Galactic Megalul]

Looks like the Putler-owned Russian State website Snopes has been casting doubt on the heckin Shoahmobiles and their ability to roast 6 gorillion Ukrainians since February.




Sounds like Putler's holotrucks can exterminate Ukraine's population in approximately 1,746 years!



Kremlin Snopes in literal denial of a Verified Kyiv Independent Fact that these trucks are burning literally tens of thousands of people, in trucks that only fit one body at a time.

We haven't seen them being used in Ukraine by Russians in any footage, so it remains unconfirmed, no one disputes that.
No one stated that they're meant to exterminate Ukrainian population, only to get rid of the evidence where necessary, as in Ukrainian civilians they have killed and even corpses of their own to reduce numbers of confirmed losses and write them off as missing or deserters.

 

[Snekposter]

I'm sure Lizz Truss or Anne Marie Trevelyan would happily zip on out to the Vizegrad group and sign all sorts of "consistency" deals and throw in a few sweet aditions. Wont be any free money though.

The no free money is a problem, but with a successful Brexit despite the attempts of Eurocrats both continental and island-based to sabotage it, the EU does have to think twice about how far they can push Eastern Europe. So I foresee the status quo continuing near-indefinitely simply because the Eurocrats have little room to maneuver. Their only threat is the money, but if that goes, so too does any reason for the Visegrad to stick around. And if there's anything that scares them more than an Eastern Europe aligned with Russia, its an Eastern Europe aligned with an independent UK.

 

[Astro Galactic Megalul]

This is okay I guess

 

[teriyakiburns]

The UK is currently mulling over new agricultural policy as its long been felt the CAP was never scientifically lead or particularly efficient.

They'll be having some trouble. A lot of the land set aside under the CAP is used to grow industrial crops. Some of the larger farms have been making a mint - or at the very least, breaking even - claiming huge tracts as set-aside for the subsidy, then using the land anyway. I can't imagine they'll be happy losing that extra income.

 

[Mr E. Grifter]

EU actually paid farmers not to grow anything on their field to keep the food prices stable, so if do some tweak here and there, it should be fine in Europe. Unless you're in UK, since they're no longer in the EU. That said, it all depends on how quick both the bureaucracy and farmers can keep up with this sudden change.

The reality is the UK will suffer, but not that much, it's a rich country and so can afford to pay a premium for food in comparison to other countries.

Hence it will be Africa and other poor regions that suffer primarily - now lots of people act like this isn't out problem, but this instability causes issues for all of us. Extremism, regime change, it's all going to be effected by food prices.

 

[No. 7 cat]

CAP is okay. US meats with feces and growth hormone is not great. CAP payments to not grow is more the old model The US Department of Agriculture manipulates food production ever bit as much, and so it should. Merchants and their meme 'free market' will just bring starvation. Anyone both Europe and America can ramp up production with no issue. Nitrogen not coming as easily from Russia will add a few pennies to prices.

Some third worlders will screech and shout, but they always do and they don't really matter. They'd be coming over to sponge either way. Most shortage issues in that part of the world are their own fault, inefficient production and distribution. Putin shills BTFO.

 

[Vince McMahon]

They'd be coming over to sponge either way.

A rise in wheat prices basically created the Arab Spring. This is a very dangerous thing to ignore.

 

[MarvinTheParanoidAndroid]

Fun fact, Klaus Schwab claims Vladimir Putin as one of his disciples.

 

[Useful_Mistake]

"Biden Admin Warns Of GLOBAL FAMINE, Europe ALREADY Rationing, Inflation And Shortages To Get WORSE"

Breaking ranks with EU, Hungary says ready to pay for Russian gas in roubles​

Hungary said on Wednesday it was prepared to pay roubles for Russian gas, breaking ranks with the European Union which has sought a united front in opposing Moscow's demand for payment in the currency.
Hungary will pay for shipments in roubles if Russia asks it to, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a news conference on Wednesday in reply to a Reuters question.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Europe it risks having gas supplies cut unless it pays in roubles as he seeks retaliation over Western sanctions for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

With weeks go to before bills are due, the European Commission has said that those with contracts requiring payment in euros or dollars should stick to that.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto earlier said that EU authorities had "no role" to play in its gas supply deal with Russia, which was based on a bilateral contract between units of Hungarian state-owned MVM and of Gazprom.

The European Commission does not comment on declarations from national authorities, a spokesperson said.
Hungary has been one of a few EU member states that have rejected energy sanctions against Moscow in response to the invasion, which Russia terms a "special military operation".
Orban, whose government has pursued close business relations with Moscow for over a decade, swept to power for a fourth consecutive term in elections on Sunday, partly on a pledge to preserve security of gas supply for Hungarian households.

RELIANT ON RUSSIAN GAS
While Putin's demand has raised hackles in many of Europe's capitals, its governments - which on average rely on Russia for more than a third of their gas - are discussing the issue with energy companies.
On Monday, Slovakia said it will act in unison with the EU, while Poland's dominant gas company PGNiG has maintained that its original contract with Gazprom which expires at the end of this year is binding on both parties.

Austria's OMV (OMVV.VI) and Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM) have had initial contact about paying for gas in roubles, a spokesperson for OMV said on Friday, though the government in Vienna said there was no basis for payment in any currency other than euros or dollars.

Ukraine's foreign minister insisted an embargo on Russian gas and oil is needed but the European Union has so far stopped short, while preparing to propose a ban on coal imports and other products.

European buyers are increasing shipments of coal from across the globe against a backdrop of a proposed EU ban on Russian imports and the scramble to relieve tight gas supplies, according to data and shipping sources.

The European Commission’s intention "that there should be some kind of common response from countries importing Russian gas" was not considered necessary, Hungary's Szijjarto said, adding that nations had individually signed bilateral contracts.

"And … no one has a say in how we modify our own contract."

Hungary, which is heavily reliant on Russian gas and oil imports, signed a new long-term gas supply deal last year under which Gazprom is expected to ship 4.5 billion cubic metres of gas annually.
Meanwhile, Putin has discussed expanding Moscow's economic cooperation with Belgrade, including in the energy sector, with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic.

Serbia's contract for Russian gas expires on May 31. "Talks about the new contract need to be launched as soon as possible," a statement from Vucic's office said.

Latvia's largest gas trader, which is a third owned by Gazprom, has said it is considering whether it should pay in euros or roubles for Russian gas but a Latvian foreign ministry spokesman said: "Latvia does not support paying in roubles and there has to be a common EU approach."

Lithuania has said it will no longer import Russian gas to meet its domestic needs, becoming the first country in Europe to have secured its independence from Russian supplies.
Russian gas deliveries to Europe via three key pipeline routes were broadly steady overall on Wednesday.

https://archive.ph/IPxvv

"If the Russians want to be paid in rubles, we will pay in rubles," Hungary's PM Orban says in a press conference."

https://archive.ph/wip/fsLVm