Russia/Ukraine

[neverfstop]

The fire at the nuclear facility is out or under control, although Russia has taken control of the facility itself. Attacking a nuclear facility is being called a war crime.

More Oligarch boats being seized, including a crew mechanic who sank one!
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-sailor-russia-oligarch-yacht-b2027403.html

[fortnightlily]

Mar 4, 2022 10:03:55 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

Mar 4, 2022 8:02:33 GMT -5 kath16 said:

when they're all stretched out in basically a single-file line like that, wouldn't it kinda make sense to just... blow up roads in front of them? take out bridges, etc? like... the convoy in broad daylight seems like an unwise strategy for war. 

This question has been on my mind the past couple of days as well, although I'll confess I've been thinking more along the lines of taking out the convoy itself vs. roads/bridges. I wonder if Ukraine figures it's not worth spending the supplies on a convoy that's not going anywhere anyway.

I know absolutely zero about military engagement and strategy, but I'd assume the convoy has some kind of air support that would make direct attacks riskier than the disruptive stuff you can do further away, like taking out the roads and bridges.

[BicycleBride]

There is a tweet going around this morning that the top three share holders in one of the largest Russian banks all operate out of KY- including KY teacher’s retirement fund which would have suffered catastrophic losses if the information is accurate not to mention all the other problems with that. Has anyone seen the tweet or any reference to this info in main steam news? The tweet gives the source as a Reddit thread that’s been deleted so it’s definitely suspect.

[omglol]

BicycleBride

Super suspect that it was sold the day before the invasion. 🧐

amp.courier-journal.com/amp/9373911002

[bernsteincat]

Mar 4, 2022 12:50:46 GMT -5 BicycleBride said:

There is a tweet going around this morning that the top three share holders in one of the largest Russian banks all operate out of KY- including KY teacher’s retirement fund which would have suffered catastrophic losses if the information is accurate not to mention all the other problems with that. Has anyone seen the tweet or any reference to this info in main steam news? The tweet gives the source as a Reddit thread that’s been deleted so it’s definitely suspect.

Cool cool cool. Off to Twitter to see what our reporters are saying.

There was a huge scandal with McConnel trying to bring a Russian aluminum mill to KY only for everyone to find out the investors were tied to the Kremlin, so that is not surprising at all.

[dancelnow]

I can’t imagine being one of those nuclear plant operators continuing to work under gunpoint. The next shift even came in to work. They are dedicated.

[BicycleBride]

I can update my own post to say that teachers retirement says it sold the stock the day before the invasion. The date on the image with the tweet says 12/31/21 so all facts seem to line up there. Also according to the courier journal, this portion of the bank that is available on normal US based investment stuff (idk what the proper term is) and the total stock available in this fashion was only a small portion of the total of the bank. But even with all that, it does seem worth investigating the circumstances of how and why the top three owners of the stock were all based in KY. That seems… fishy. But I also know next to nothing about financial markets.

[Saudade]

I know it’s small peanuts but several days ago Ukraine’s Antonov 225 was destroyed. It was the only one in the world and so freaking cool.

[bears]

Mar 4, 2022 16:20:18 GMT -5 Saudade said:

I know it’s small peanuts but several days ago Ukraine’s Antonov 225 was destroyed. It was the only one in the world and so freaking cool.

Watching videos of that plane flying is crazy, because it seems so aerodynamically improbable. So sad.

[underwaterrhymes]

Brittney Griner is being detained in Russia on what I suspect are falsified drug charges.

www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/sports/basketball/russia-brittney-griner.html

[neverfstop]

I'm shocked that anybody is hanging out in Russia....I'd be GTFO of there ASAP. It seems like a lot of US companies are starting to pull their employees.

People are asking Elon to "deactivate" all the Tesla's there....I mean Tesla technically could probably do that, but it would also set a crazy precedent that might not go over so well with their buyers in other places, like China or the US. Just knowing that you car would be basically useless instantly may give people second thoughts about buying one. But Elon is sending more starlink Satellites, so I feel like he's coming out of this with some good PR.

[icedcoffee]

Winter on Fire was released by Netflix to YouTube for anyone to watch free. It was very good. About the Euromaidan protests.

[kath16]

Mar 5, 2022 19:41:31 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Brittney Griner is being detained in Russia on what I suspect are falsified drug charges.

www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/sports/basketball/russia-brittney-griner.html

I don’t even know what to think here. My gut is that she was an easy American to spot and I’m just sad about it and scared for her.

I wish she’d gotten out of there sooner.

[cous0226]

Mar 4, 2022 11:38:32 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Mar 4, 2022 10:03:55 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

This question has been on my mind the past couple of days as well, although I'll confess I've been thinking more along the lines of taking out the convoy itself vs. roads/bridges. I wonder if Ukraine figures it's not worth spending the supplies on a convoy that's not going anywhere anyway.

I know absolutely zero about military engagement and strategy, but I'd assume the convoy has some kind of air support that would make direct attacks riskier than the disruptive stuff you can do further away, like taking out the roads and bridges.

I'm curious about what they are doing about food and how are they surviving?  I had seen a picture on twitter that the food (sandwiches) some of the Russian soldiers had was expired.

[basilosaurus]

I didn't realize Z was symbolic of sort for Russia. This has everything. Politics of sport, Russia, gymnastics.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner

[lessel]

Mar 7, 2022 10:26:29 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I didn't realize Z was symbolic of sort for Russia. This has everything. Politics of sport, Russia, gymnastics.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner

I saw this interesting Twitter thread on the symbol yesterday:

(First dozen tweets in the thread focus on the Z, then it kind of starts talking about other propaganda.) 

[Vespasia]

This article talks about further restrictions on dissent in Russia.
www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/world/europe/russia-censorship-media-crackdown.html

[charlive]

Mar 7, 2022 10:26:29 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I didn't realize Z was symbolic of sort for Russia. This has everything. Politics of sport, Russia, gymnastics.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner

It was really a gross display.  Why the organizers didn't take him off the podium is beyond me.
I will also say that Ukraine sent a young female gymnast who won bronze while two russians won gold and silver on Uneven Bars.  She refused to share the podium with them and asked for a separate ceremony.  The Ukrainian gymnasts were just as badass as their friends and family fighting back home.  I cannot imagine trying to perform my best when you know that your home is being destroyed, but they came out and did so well. 

[gretchenindisguise]

I'm so confused. I thought Russia got completely banned from all competitions. Why were they allowed to compete?

[erbear]

Mar 7, 2022 12:57:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm so confused. I thought Russia got completely banned from all competitions. Why were they allowed to compete?

Seriously. 

[basilosaurus]

Mar 7, 2022 13:52:54 GMT -5 erbear said:

Mar 7, 2022 12:57:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm so confused. I thought Russia got completely banned from all competitions. Why were they allowed to compete?

Seriously. 

I thought it was because they're still federation competitors? We need our experts to come in. I'm not in a fortune soviet country although not too far at all. I've had people use they but they soak Russian and were soviet like on me. This in a country that's ancient and has been ruled by many with a history of conquer and with reconquer excluding, often violently, the new outsiders. I mostly smile politely with only a few contrary responses because my 2 rules of travel are don't get jailed and don't get dead. My understanding is they probably also had a propaganda based education and I won't change that as a guest. But damn my tongue has bled a lot

[charlive]

Mar 7, 2022 12:57:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm so confused. I thought Russia got completely banned from all competitions. Why were they allowed to compete?

The ban was set to begin today - since they were already at the competition when it started, they allowed them to compete.   

[isabel]

Mar 7, 2022 14:23:27 GMT -5 charlive said:

Mar 7, 2022 12:57:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm so confused. I thought Russia got completely banned from all competitions. Why were they allowed to compete?

The ban was set to begin today - since they were already at the competition when it started, they allowed them to compete.   

That is such bullshit. I know there there are Russians who are opposed to this, but they should not have been allowed to compete.

[gretchenindisguise]

Mar 7, 2022 14:23:27 GMT -5 charlive said:

Mar 7, 2022 12:57:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm so confused. I thought Russia got completely banned from all competitions. Why were they allowed to compete?

The ban was set to begin today - since they were already at the competition when it started, they allowed them to compete.   

Why is the world so weak regards to this. 

"Oh well, you're already here so I guess it's fine."

No gtfo.

[cattledogkisses]

The nuclear aspect of this conflict is so unsettling.

The Chernobyl nuclear plant has lost power. Backup generators are currently powering the safety systems, but they only have enough fuel for 48 hours.

www.npr.org/live-updates/ukraine-chernobyl-russia-evacuation-mariupol#ukraine-says-the-chernobyl-nuclear-site-has-lost-power

[pugz]

On the one hand I understand why the US won't assist Poland in handing off the planes they want to give the Ukrainians, on the other had I don't and I'm frustrated about it.

[noodleoo]

Mar 9, 2022 10:47:39 GMT -5 pugz said:

On the one hand I understand why the US won't assist Poland in handing off the planes they want to give the Ukrainians, on the other had I don't and I'm frustrated about it.

I don't understand this.  Why did they want to route the planes through a US air base? Why is that necessary?

[imimahoney]

Mar 9, 2022 11:19:39 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Mar 9, 2022 10:47:39 GMT -5 pugz said:

On the one hand I understand why the US won't assist Poland in handing off the planes they want to give the Ukrainians, on the other had I don't and I'm frustrated about it.

I don't understand this.  Why did they want to route the planes through a US air base? Why is that necessary?

So Poland could say they didn't directly supply them, the US did.

It's all just theater at this point. Putin knows NATO nations are giving $$ and weapons but no one wants to be the one to gives planes.

[cous0226]

I just saw an alert that Goldman Sachs is exiting Russia. That would seem like a big deal

[Birdie]

Mar 10, 2022 9:58:50 GMT -5 cous0226 said:

I just saw an alert that Goldman Sachs is exiting Russia. That would seem like a big deal

I've seen so many companies announce this in the past few days, as well as internet access becoming severely restricted. I feel so bad for the everyday Russian just trying to live their lives.