Tanks are probably good for the effect of shock and awe, especially in the face of unarmed resistance.  I would think Russia would have more updated technology that they aren't using.  Maybe they are just getting rid of all of their outdated military junk.

What's that saying about military powers making the mistake of training for the last war?  Oh wait.  That is the saying.

Quote from: SGOS on March 27, 2022, 07:44:59 AMTanks are probably good for the effect of shock and awe, especially in the face of unarmed resistance.  I would think Russia would have more updated technology that they aren't using.  Maybe they are just getting rid of all of their outdated military junk.

Apparently, the guy in charge of modernizing the military had to resign for some reason or another and his replacement went for much more modest goals.  Add to that the rampant corruption and some funds were "accidentally" "lost".

They burned through much of their modernized tech in the first month of the conflict.  They're actually getting rid of the outdated junk right now, de-mothballing ancient tanks and using missiles that have a high chance of being duds.  It's basically like using tiny rocks instead of bullets at this point.  Not an effective strat.

Russia's legendary Stalingrad tank division wiped out by Ukrainian forces

Quote from: Hydra009 on March 27, 2022, 04:02:12 PMRussia's legendary Stalingrad tank division wiped out by Ukrainian forces

Stunning. Just Stunning!

Very, very little positive in this video other than seeing the strength of both the Ukrainian people and their warriors. It's fairly graphic, gloomy and depressing overall though... but if you want to see what Ukraine looks like further out from Kyiv (while still not being a fraction as horrific as what places like Mariupol are going through)... this is a good video.

Irpin liberated!

Kyiv gets even more breathing room.

Edit - Here's a handy map

Russia no longer seeking to "denazify" Ukraine (kill existing leadership and replace with dictator-approved puppets)

It is worrying that Russia insists that Ukraine not form any defensive pact with any other countries.  If Russia no longer wants to invade Ukraine, that wouldn't be an issue.  And if they still do, all the more reason to do so!

Turkish presidential spokesman says Russian demands of Crimea and Donbas are not realistic

Quote"These are the red lines for the Ukrainians in the Crimea and Donbas, and rightly so, because they pertain directly to Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We have not recognized the annexation of Crimea as, like the rest of the world, even China has not recognized the annexation of Crimea ...They [the Russians] should really come up with some other ideas,"

Turns out Russian soldiers stirred up all that Chernobyl radioactive dust and didn't take any precautions while breathing it all in. Damn. Will Smith slapped the wrong guy.

Russia is withdrawing from the Kyiv area.

But don't break out the champagne, they're likely withdrawing in order to regroup to the east while the south goes back on the offensive.

This is likely due to the fact that Belarus has not invaded and Russian forces in the north are stretched too thin to attack Kyiv.

This regrouping effort could put already besieged cities to the east and south in even greater peril.

Also, Russia does not appear to be taking the peace talks very seriously, likely intentionally drawing out the peace process while the Russian military consolidates territory that it's unlikely to part with at the bargaining table. Russia can then call for a ceasefire at its leisure, build up a larger warchest, and because Ukraine is still without a defensive pact, Russia can invade again with greater peparedness and with greater success.

Ukraine warns negotiators not to eat or drink at Russia talks over poison concerns.
https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-warns-negotiators-not-eat-184852778.html

Putin will do absolutely anything he wants--and this is one of his favorite things to do. 
'Ukraine is warning its negotiators not to eat or drink anything during peace talks with Russian counterparts amid growing concerns over the potential for poison.

"I advise anyone going for negotiations with Russia not to eat or drink anything, preferably avoid touching surfaces," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with a state media outlet on Tuesday, according to The Washington Post.'

Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich

Dmytro Kuleba
Tue, March 29, 2022, 11:48 AM·1 min read
In this article:

Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich
Russian-Israeli billionaire businessman

Dmytro Kuleba
Ukrainian diplomat
Ukrainian soldiers chat in the front-line position close to Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers chat in the front-line position close to Kharkiv, Ukraine.


Ukraine is warning its negotiators not to eat or drink anything during peace talks with Russian counterparts amid growing concerns over the potential for poison.

"I advise anyone going for negotiations with Russia not to eat or drink anything, preferably avoid touching surfaces," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with a state media outlet on Tuesday, according to The Washington Post.

"Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and several Ukrainian negotiators had reportedly shown symptoms of possible poisoning from a previous meeting.

Abramovich along with senior Ukrainian negotiators showed symptoms of red eyes, constant and painful tearing and peeling skin on their faces and hands. Officials have said that Abramovich fully recovered from his symptoms."

Yep.  Poisoned chocolate.  Abramovich went blind for hours.

It goes without saying to not eat anything you didn't pack yourself, because poison is Putin's-go-to.  A woman's weapon, as they say, though either a masculine or feminine bearing would be a step up from what Putin is - a craven villain, doomed to a craven villain's life then a craven villain's death.

And speaking of craven, Putin is holed up in his fuhrerbunker near the Urals.  Meanwhile, Zelensky walks around Kyiv, consoling the wounded, addressing the world, and decorating heroes.  Putin has no heroes under his command and never will.

"On Wednesday in the Donetsk and Luhansk directions, the Ukrainian military destroyed 10 tanks, 18 units of armored and 13 units of motor vehicles, as well as 15 artillery systems." - Source

Ukrainian forces capture an advanced air defense/command vehicle

Ukrainian forces shoot down three Russian jets

The part about Ukraine's untapped oil/gas reserves, especially near Crimea and eastern Ukraine, was particularly interesting.