Will Putin Invade Ukraine?

[Nobody]

Maybe it wasn't sugar? I don't know what powder would do the trick, though, having never been a sabateur. Flour? Baking soda?

[Cassia]

Maybe it wasn't sugar? I don't know what powder would do the trick, though, having never been a sabateur. Flour? Baking soda?

I'd imagine sugar does its best work if they run low on fuel and start sucking near the bottom of the tank. I noticed with all of our boats that the fuel line sucks from a good 1.5" up off the bottom, and for a good reason. An older 2-stroke engine gets its oil mixed in with fuel so if one carb has fuel and the other is partially clogged and starved, those starved pistons will heat up and tear that engine to pieces.

[Hydra009]

Maybe it wasn't sugar? I don't know what powder would do the trick, though, having never been a sabateur. Flour? Baking soda?

Possibly.  Or powdery snow.  Water in the fuel tank is no beuno.

[Hydra009]

Ukraine's former energy minister arrested while attempting to cross the border by train headed to Poland

Wiki page of the guy in question

He's been accused of bribery/corruption in general.

[Hydra009]

Half of Russia's Pantsir AA have been destroyed

Ukraine continues to winnow Russian infantry forces.  Apparently, the Russians tried another pipeline concealed assault in Sumy region but the Ukrainians knew about it ahead of time and ambushed them as they tried to exit the pipeline.  Reportedly, Russia's "83rd Brigade" has been completely wiped out - all 100 KIA.  Down to a man.

I did some digging and if I'm not mistaken, that post is referring to Russia's 83rd Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade, infamous for a scheme where the soldiers wounded each other to avoid combat and also to collect compensation.  They allegedly scammed the Kremlin out of 200 million rubles.  When the Kremlin found out, they arrested their commander.  The news of them being totally wiped out is unconfirmed, but it's very recent news and it sometimes takes a while for it hit the papers, but I'm cautiously optimistic that their wikipedia page gets updated soon to was/were.

Their slogans are darkly hilarious in hindsight.  "Honour over life".  Check.  "We Need One Victory"  And you still do.

[Hydra009]

[Hydra009]

Rubigone: Russia's top drone unit loses drone operator in defection to Ukraine

He wasn't an elite drone operator or anything, having received brief training and failed the exam, but still I'm positive the Ukrainian drone operators will be able to give him a proper education in a more nurturing environment.

He also gives extremely important information about the enemy.  He was "mobilized" during a trip to Moscow - so the Russian authorities target passerby and threaten them with criminal charges or military service.  A choice without much choice, though some do opt for the jail time.

We also know that the enemy uses lots of with "psychological and physical pressure, humiliation, and threats of being sent to 'meat assaults' if conflicts arose with commanders".  None of this is particularly surprising news, but it's nice to get confirmation.

The Rubikon center reportedly occupies Hall D and part of Hall C in the southern part of the facility. This was inferred from statements by propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, which inadvertently revealed the location of the "secret base." Following that, Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on the facility.

Their OPsec isn't great...

Simonov described the unit's leadership as recruited "by chance," with commanders, including one called "Hunter," chosen for their loyalty and fanaticism. He says fear and intimidation were the primary tools to maintain discipline.

Not surprising, but interesting.  Not great training, but big on fanaticism.  What a fascinating priority.

He cites a turning point when a Molniya UAV strike hit the wrong coordinates, killing a civilian girl in Kupyansk. He was shocked by the battalion's chat reactions and the command's apparent approval of the incident.

Following that, Simonov decided to defect.

Russian telegram - before it was largely cut off by Russian authorities - was filled to bursting with such barbaric cruelty.  I've seen some of it myself.  It makes it very difficult to sympathize with them or anyone who's shaken hands with them.  I talk to a family member about the war and she says "poor Russians" when they get wiped out.  I'm just relieved they can no longer hurt anyone else and wonder if they hurt anyone before they got blown up themselves.

I've seen footage of the Ukrainians taking a knee for funeral processions and fathers burying their sons.  One was holding a funeral for a baby who had been killed - murdered - in a Russian strike - in tears and rocking the tiny coffin as if he were rocking a small child to sleep.  And the Russian pilot or drone operator who did this ghastly crime probably laughed about it afterwards.  So I don't say "poor Russians" anymore and no longer understand that line of thinking.  To me, it is like saying "poor wasps" after burning the nest because they menaced humans and stung children.  Such sentimentality seems...I don't know the word exactly and also don't know if the word to describe this has yet been created.  Naive?  Overly charitable?  Unwary through ignorance?  Something along those lines.

Anyway, this Russian drone operator demonstrated his humanity and took a brave stand against barbaric cruelty and miraculously was able to leave the frontline without getting killed by his comrades (this happens pretty often).  For this, he has my appreciation.  I consider him a good Russian - a person with a heart who had the misfortune of being born and raised in a terrible time and place.  Such people are unfortunately rare but very important assets against Putin.