With the west helping Ukraine to the extent we are, I feel like we're just inflicting as much damage on Russia as we can via this unique opportunity, but I had never imagined Ukraine actually winning here. Russia was always the favourite to win.
Define "winning". Right now it appears the Russian offensive is completely stalled due to their utter failure at logistics, they're losing armor and air support at an alarming rate, and morale among their troops seems incredibly low with how many functional fighting vehicles are being abandoned. The most damage Russia has been able to inflict has been from indiscriminate long range artillery strikes, but that alone can't win a war. As it currently stands, it seems like Russia will only be able to maintain a stalemate while continuing to bleed personnel and resources, unless they get a massive influx of new troops and equipment that some are predicting. But wouldn't we have seen some evidence of that by now?
I think Ukraine continues to hold strong and resist any pressure to provide concessions to Russia, as the longer this drags out the higher the likelihood of Russian supply lines collapsing completely
I've argued in the past that instead of Canada humming and hawing about spending millions on new jet fighters should just develop an home-grown drone solution to patrol the arctic. It's also a lot less investment in pilot training and support infrastructure. Just strap a bunch of kids who already grew up as twitch streamers to fly the drones.
Russian embassy cries "The incident is cause of extreme concern. We believe that no people of sound mind could support such senseless and barbaric actions." Boo hoo.
Oh noes! Not some gates! Be happy it wasn’t a cruise missile.
It was following pretty closely to the price of oil - both were at about 100 at the start of this, and continued to drift through 110, but the Ruble has dropped anther 20% today
Relevant piece from Last Week Tonight on the Russian economy and stock market. 3:30 Russian economist commentators "drink to the death of the Russian stock market"
I've argued in the past that instead of Canada humming and hawing about spending millions on new jet fighters should just develop an home-grown drone solution to patrol the arctic. It's also a lot less investment in pilot training and support infrastructure. Just strap a bunch of kids who already grew up as twitch streamers to fly the drones.
My wife and daughter made it out of Siberia and arrived in Kazakhstan a few hours ago. FlightRadar did not track the plane and the arrival board online listed the flight status as "unknown" throughout which caused me to play out way too many scenarios in my head.
We haven't talked; I only received a quick text that they made it. They're leaving for Calgary via Frankfurt on Friday. I'm sure there'll be some stories.
Thank to CP for the warm thoughts and well-wishes.
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MOD map updates for the day. Following yesterday's Ukrainian counter attack north of Kyiv, Russians appear to be pushing south again. For the second straight day, several towns in north Ukraine are still encircled with Russia's Western MD Grouping controlling the roads from the boarder to Kiev. Elements of Russia's Southern MD grouping appear to have advanced and taken control of a larger part of the east Ukraine north of Luhansk and may looking to link up with Western MD grouping forces. Other areas seem pretty static. https://twitter.com/user/status/1501172460238123014 https://twitter.com/user/status/1501248183393034245
My god, is Ukraine actually going to win this thing!?
They are objectively winning, Russia still has the ability to carpet bomb the country but I doubt Putin thinks he can do that, way to many Russians and Ukrainians are interrelated for that to not to cause long term massive civil unrest in Russia, and even then the mass loss of equipment and troops, the countries inability to replace any of it until sanctions are somewhat lifted dooms them to a years long bloody insurgency that they would lose in the end, at this point their just isnt a winning exit for Russia, unfortunately the Ukraine is going to have to suffer a lot more pain before it ends
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Take it all with a grain of salt. The information we are provided with is largely one sided. Credit to the UKR media game so far. They are doing a fantastic job of keeping morale high in a desperate situation.
Russia has underwhelmed so far, no question, but they can afford to lose far more resources than the Ukrainians.
Ukraine held out for the first week which we all thought impossible.
Two weeks is almost here. Two will become a month, and then longer. The full weight of sanctions and crackdowns at home need time to work their way through the Russian populace.
I’m more optimistic today than I was last week. Hoping they can prevail against all odds.
Slava .
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Pylon on the Edmonton Oilers:
"I am actually more excited for the Oilers game tomorrow than the Flames game. I am praying for multiple jersey tosses. The Oilers are my new favourite team for all the wrong reasons. I hate them so much I love them."
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Take it all with a grain of salt. The information we are provided with is largely one sided. Credit to the UKR media game so far. They are doing a fantastic job of keeping morale high in a desperate situation.
Russia has underwhelmed so far, no question, but they can afford to lose far more resources than the Ukrainians.
Ukraine held out for the first week which we all thought impossible.
Two weeks is almost here. Two will become a month, and then longer. The full weight of sanctions and crackdowns at home need time to work their way through the Russian populace.
I’m more optimistic today than I was last week. Hoping they can prevail against all odds.
Slava .
I didn't think Russia was going to roll over Ukraine.
I know what you mean, but winning seems like the wrong word for it. No one wins. I just hope for a quick end to this.
From the financial side of things Russia's on track for a Venezuela style default in the new little bit. I imagine that's gonna cause massive civil unrest and speed things up.
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