Russia invades Ukraine

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Krovikan

I'm in Information Security, so I can talk a lot about some similar spying strategies to what is used in hacking; however, I'm not a military expert and can just offer my view.

In my opinion, when you are in a proxy war, you try every method you can to get the information you need. Even if there is a low chance of getting the information at this particular event.

The Russian ambassadors that they would have been socializing with are there to specifically spew Russian propaganda so the inverse effect is just as possible as the spy novel stuff Sliver was proposing.

This one is a gaffe by all measures. Putin is likely loving the fact that a Canadian representative showed weakness here and attended this thing.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Opinions can't be wrong?

Here to confirm that they can be wrong, as my opinions are wrong on a regular basis. lol

Part of the problem on the internet is I can form an opinion before taking enough time to read a bit more about the issue. Then I learn a bit more and realize I formed an opinion from ignorance.

but I don't mind learning as I go. There are only a couple of topics I can post on here believing I know more than most of you, and those topics almost never come up. heh.

[IliketoPuck]

I'm glad that at least we seem to have dispensed with the "this war is about Russia pushing back against NATO" narrative.

Blatant imperialistic aggression in 2022. Take a bow, Russia.

[Rutuu]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61796067

"It's the most affordable new vehicle in Russia. They're calling it… the anti-sanctions car!"

That was Russian state TV putting a positive spin on the new, not-so-improved, Lada rolling off the production line in the city of Togliatti.

"Most affordable" is perhaps its only selling point. Due to Western sanctions, the Russian carmaker cannot import all the components it used to. So the "anti-sanctions" Lada Granta has no airbag, no anti-lock braking system, no Electronic Stability Control and no seat-belt pretensioners.

I mean I'm sure there are lots of Mercs and BMWs still floating around, but the no seat-belt pretensioners made me laugh a bit.

Sanctions even this deep take time, but no country has really been able to survive them and maintain a high quality of life.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61796067



I mean I'm sure there are lots of Mercs and BMWs still floating around, but the no seat-belt pretensioners made me laugh a bit.

Sanctions even this deep take time, but no country has really been able to survive them and maintain a high quality of life.

This is pretty key! Gooooo China? haha

"Russia is cut off from a lot of Western technology imports, which it simply won't be able to replace. China has made it clear that it's not going to supply Russia with sanctioned technology, because it may face secondary sanctions itself.

[activeStick]

The US Open is welcoming Russian and Belarusian players to their tournament. It feels like the bulk of people here were more supportive of punishing all Russians for the war, but I'm on the other side of that and happy that regular athletes and everyday citizens won't be punished for the actions of their government.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by activeStick

The US Open is welcoming Russian and Belarusian players to their tournament. It feels like the bulk of people here were more supportive of punishing all Russians for the war, but I'm on the other side of that and happy that regular athletes and everyday citizens won't be punished for the actions of their government.

I'm not ok with them if they support their murdering president!

This Russian idiot won bronze and actually stood next to the gold medallist from Ukraine on the podium.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by activeStick

The US Open is welcoming Russian and Belarusian players to their tournament. It feels like the bulk of people here were more supportive of punishing all Russians for the war, but I'm on the other side of that and happy that regular athletes and everyday citizens won't be punished for the actions of their government.

we'll have to agree to disagree. I'm one of the people you mention.

I don't mind that high profile Russian citizens suffer consequences for the actions of their country.

[Huntingwhale]

Not a pleasant read, but this is the reality in many occupied territories of the inhuman condition these brave Russian liberators are imposing upon innocent Ukrainians.

This took place in Yagodnoe, Chernihiv Oblast. Can use translate to read it.

According to investigators, they are involved in the creation of a "cellar of death" in the village of Yagodnoe, Chernihiv region, where more than 300 civilians were forced to live for almost a month while the Russian occupation continued. The smallest inhabitant of the basement was 1.5 months old, the oldest was 93 years old. In 26 days, ten prisoners of the "cellar of death" died.

We went down to the basement. It was very cold there at first, we slept in jackets under several blankets. It was dusty and cold. This basement was used simply as a warehouse for unnecessary things - window frames, broken chairs. When many people had already gathered, everyone slept on these broken chairs: some on the floor, some on chairs. When there were still few people, we decided to be in one room - 17 square meters, and use the hall as a toilet and kitchen

When we left, we found out that four guys had been shot. They were first tortured, their arms, legs, jaws were broken, they were shot in the back of the head.

https://www.svoboda.org/a/podval-sme.../31897613.html

[burn_this_city]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537434527458480128

[burn_this_city]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537388110400655364

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

Here to confirm that they can be wrong, as my opinions are wrong on a regular basis.

Oh man, there are actually still people who believe that "OpInIoNs CaN't Be WrOnG" bs? Eesh. Embarrassing.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537434527458480128

Good #### them

[Itse]

Originally Posted by nik-

Man who thinks things operate like they do in spy novels calls others out for big picture thinking.

What a goof lol

US intelligence getting stuff from the FSB but some low level attache at a party might slip up and give the plans to the Death Star. I mean it's absolutely comical.

You have this upside down. The one's arguing against Sliver are imagining spy film stuff, Sliver has it rightside up.

The vast, vast majority of useful intelligence on other countries is gathered through mundane ways like watching the news and just talking to people.

The reason you go to parties like this isn't to crack some top secret thing, it's to stay in touch with what the other side is thinking just in general terms. Opposing countries and the people who work for them quite often WANT the other side to know what they're thinking to some extent. You don't need some special agent to be useful in a situation like that, just someone with good social skills and a good grasp of potentially relevant topics, and preferably someone who's good at catching hints.

For example, something both sides are trying to figure out right now is the level of commitment the other side has to the Ukraine war. Both sides are also trying to get in touch with people from the other side that are against their side being involved, and just to get an idea on how popular the war is, really, among people who matter. You do that by talking directly to a lot of people.

Usually isn't even some specific thing you're trying to find out, mostly you just go to hear what people are talking about. That can be just as informative as any top secret memo would be. Or not, but you don't know if you don't go.

Also, the diplomats from opposing sides of a war visiting the other sides parties is extremely normal, and yes the allies also did it with the Nazi's on occasion.

It's just what diplomacy is like.

[FlamesAddiction]

The UK has put sanctions on the Russian Orthodox Church citing both their support of the war and facilitating the forced adoption of thousands of Ukrainian children into Russian families.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/lifestyle/...8253f740313ebb

I will be that guy to point out that it sounds like something the Canadian government did to Indigenous children not that long ago. I think most people would agree that it is so wrong though.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The UK has put sanctions on the Russian Orthodox Church citing both their support of the war and facilitating the forced adoption of thousands of Ukrainian children into Russian families.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/lifestyle/...8253f740313ebb

I will be that guy to point out that it sounds like something the Canadian government did to Indigenous children not that long ago. I think most people would agree that it is so wrong though.

Could set an interesting common law precedent.

[Fuzz]

Churches being complicit in ####tyness...a tale as old as time.

[burn_this_city]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537552367842893824

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537551886047498242

[burn_this_city]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1538098093375295489

[burn_this_city]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1538075044307423232

https://twitter.com/user/status/1538225195453915136