Russia invades Ukraine

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Stable plentiful supplies where projects last decades, like Venezuela and our oil sands are a better place to invest.

Not if you believe this is a temporary shock that will dissipate quickly due to the lifting of sanctions - then quick and scalable is the way to go.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That's not a facepalm. It's 2022. Venezuela, Iran and Saudi Arabia are way less of a threat to the world order than Russia.

Also, on Iran, Trump abso-fataing-lutely fataed them on the Iran Nuclear Deal. I'd say the USA owes them an olive branch for that disgrace.

Is the US's domestic production still increasing? This could be a stop-gap on the way to independence, too. Plus it may be a good time to negotiate with those other countries while Russia is pre-occupied.

But they are still 3 pretty sketchy countries when it comes to Human Rights.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I am interested in this as well. I am sure they will group former NATO nationals/soldiers into one unit. It makes sense, it is a plug and play unit at that point which would have superior tactics, organization, motivation that the average Russian.

Not a bad Time article

https://time.com/6155670/foreign-fig...kraine-europe/

and Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...se-2022-03-07/


It is easy to understand why former soldiers are heading over.

In different circumstances I might consider going myself. "If Ukraine falls, we're next" is a feeling shared in I'm guessing all of Russians western neighbours.

Assuming the numbers are actually as high as those reported, that would help massively in forming combat capable, cohesive units. Finns to this unit, Polish to that unit, Latvians there etc. Shared languages and habits, same military training.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Itse

In different circumstances I might consider going myself. "If Ukraine falls, we're next" is a feeling shared in I'm guessing all of Russians western neighbours.

Assuming the numbers are actually as high as those reported, that would help massively in forming combat capable, cohesive units. Finns to this unit, Polish to that unit, Latvians there etc. Shared languages and habits, same military training.

It is no walk in the park. I am far too old and far too broken and far too removed.

A single trained ex-NATO soldier is worth 10 or more untrained bodies

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

It is no walk in the park. I am far too old and far too broken and far too removed.

I read that in Al Pacino's voice from his closing tirade in Scent of a woman.

[calumniate]

Holy ####.. Zelensky just started using Churchill ww2 language in a speech to UK lawmakers. What a desperate situation

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Holy ####.. Zelensky just started using Churchill ww2 language in a speech to UK lawmakers. What a desperate situation

Guys a hell of salesman if that's true.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Guys a hell of salesman if that's true.

I just watched it live.. Fight in the cities, fight in the skies, etc. Sobering

[Itse]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

It is no walk in the park. I am far too old and far too broken and far too removed.

A single trained ex-NATO soldier is worth 10 or more untrained bodies

Oh absolutely. The mind might be willing, but I'm not in shape, just for starters.

Fortunately due to mandatory military service in many of the surrounding countries, there's plenty of young men with recent military training.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

It is no walk in the park. I am far too old and far too broken and far too removed.

A single trained ex-NATO soldier is worth 10 or more untrained bodies

I imagine an ex-nato soldier who only did it for 6 months would be worth at least 165 clones of me.

[GordonBlue]

One one hand I hope Ukraine just keeps going hard and hands them their lunch, but then I'll see a picture or video clip of the human cost.
Instantly sobering.

Like others have said, there are no winners here. I don't know where the two countries can meet to have the Russian's leave. I don't know if Russia will compromise in any way and if they lose, they leave while bombing the crap out of the place first.

#### this ####.

[Slava]

Quite a few reports that Ukraine isn't hard-set on joining NATO and willing to chat about the two breakaway republics. That could make an enormous difference.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

<a href='https://www.macrotrends.net/2562/us-crude-oil-production-historical-chart'>Source</a>

I'm not sure they can get much above the previous peak. Shale-oil requires a lot of drilling, and they've depleted the best areas. Though at $100/barrel a lot of marginal drilling opens up. Still, those wells don't have much longevity.

Stable plentiful supplies where projects last decades, like Venezuela and our oil sands are a better place to invest.

The USA was a net exporter of oil in 2020. They are a slight net importer now. With lesser dependence on fossil fuels and only a marginal increase in production, they could easily be a net exporter again. They'll probably continue to import, even then, for the same reasons Canada does.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Itse

Fortunately due to mandatory military service in many of the surrounding countries, there's plenty of young men with recent military training.

Yeah better than nothing, but my opinion of National Service soldiers is low, very very low.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Yeah better than nothing, but my opinion of National Service soldiers is low, very very low.

What would your three best tips be for a guy that was heading over to Ukraine to fight, but he had never fought before? Not allowed to say "don't go, don't go, don't go." I'm talking actual tips that could make a difference.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Sliver

What would your three best tips be for a guy that was heading over to Ukraine to fight, but he had never fought before? Not allowed to say "don't go, don't go, don't go." I'm talking actual tips that could make a difference.

The Mobility scooter is probably not a good idea over there.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Knut

The Mobility scooter is probably not a good idea over there.

But maybe it is. Dress like an old babushka, roll close to the enemy looking all unassuming, then WHAM-O!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Sliver

What would your three best tips be for a guy that was heading over to Ukraine to fight, but he had never fought before? Not allowed to say "don't go, don't go, don't go." I'm talking actual tips that could make a difference.

1 - Gear, ie: footwear, clothing, ruck, Tac vest, and body armour. Don't cheap out on any of this, getting replacement gear in country could be hard A/F.

2 - get a ####ing run or two in before you go, also maybe mix in a push up. This will be a meat grinder of a session. The fitter you are the easier it will be to put up with no sleep, little food, etc.

3 - get a will sorted out. Don't leave your loved ones to pick up your mess.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Slava

Quite a few reports that Ukraine isn't hard-set on joining NATO and willing to chat about the two breakaway republics. That could make an enormous difference.

I don't doubt that they are willing to negotiate with those cards in play, but at this point, they need to get something out of it too. They are showing Russia that they aren't their slaves and that most of the world will stand with them. Russia's negotiating power hasn't increased since this began.

To get a peace deal done, it can't simply be the same deal that was on the table before Russia murdered thousands of their people and destroyed their cities. Russia has to give something up because Ukrainians have paid a huge price for their independence. Ukrainian leader asked their people to fight like hell and sacrifice many lives, which they are doing. I can't see them saying thanks for that, but we are going to surrender and accept the pre-war terms anyway. Sorry for your losses folks.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

1 - Gear, ie: footwear, clothing, ruck, Tac vest, and body armour. Don't cheap out on any of this, getting replacement gear in country could be hard A/F.

2 - get a ####ing run or two in before you go, also maybe mix in a push up. This will be a meat grinder of a session. The fitter you are the easier it will be to put up with no sleep, little food, etc.

3 - get a will sorted out. Don't leave your loved ones to pick up your mess.

Where does a guy plug in a CPAP when in the field? Do they put you in the officers' tent or something?