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awww, poor little Army of the Russian Federation!

There is no doubt whatever that when you compare the military potential of Russia to that of Ukraine, the latter is heavily outnumbered and outgunned.

If Ukraine had invaded Russia (as Putin claimed to be pissing his pants over, just a few weeks ago), that would have exacerbated the ratio.

Because invasion changes the odds. Especially if you're a Great Power, you can't just throw everything at the subjugation of a shitty little neighbour. You can't take the chance of leaving the Mongolians a free shot at Siberia, or whatever.

Invasion will get you this. The invadee has no problems with mobilising reservists and conscripts; apparently Russia is now pulling troops out of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (what!! they have troop in...??) and even mobilising the troops of those colonies for their new colonial war; but that's small change.

Plus, suddenly you've got millions of potential partisans sneaking up on you from all sides.

Duh, shoulda thoughta that.

It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II

by eurogreen on Thu Apr 7th, 2022 at 08:37:05 AM EST
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150 thousand troops was not enough to invade the largest country in Europe (after Russia itself) with a population of 44 millions. In 1968, the Soviets brought in 250 K troops to subjugate Czechoslovakia, a much smaller country.

Everybody knew it, Sergei Naryshkin, chief of the foreign intelligence service, who was wetting his pants in front of Putin during that infamous meeting a few days before the invasion, knew it. But the Czar decided regardless.

by Bernard (bernard) on Thu Apr 7th, 2022 at 05:38:08 PM EST
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Zelesk* raises a professional army

Ukrainian males aged 18-60 are banned from leaving the country, 24, Feb
"conscription of conscripts, reservists for military service, their delivery to military units and institutions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine"

Ukraine president says he will provide weapons to any citizen, 24 Feb
Zelenzky also said that Ukraine severed diplomatic relations with Russia

Ukraine urges Kyiv residents to 'make Molotov cocktails' as Russia advances and even shows people how to make them, 25 Feb
training session at an abandoned factory in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv

Ukrainian President Says Prisoners with 'Combat Experience' Will Be Released to Join Fight against Russia, 28 Feb
"Under martial law, Ukrainians with real combat experience will be released from custody and will be able to compensate for their guilt"

Ukrainians hurl Molotov cocktails at Russian tank from window of passing car in drive-by attack, 1 Mar
a poster guide was released by the ministry, illustrating which parts of different military vehicles should be targeted

Zelensky: 16,000 foreign mercenaries are going to fight for Ukraine, 3 Mar
setting up a "foreign legion unit"

Ukraine's president signs law on civilian use of weapons during wartime, 10 Mar
Ensuring the Participation of Civilians in the Defense of Ukraine

encrypted UPDATE, 5 Apr
#Donbass #UAF #Dnepr Detention footage
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS | 01-01-2011 FAQ

Unlawful combatants do not qualify for prisoner of war status. Their situation upon capture by the enemy is covered by the Fourth (Civilian) Geneva Convention if they fulfill the nationality criteria and by the relevant provisions of the Additional Protocol I, if ratified by the detaining power.
wikiwtf: unprotected and undefined
by Cat on Thu Apr 7th, 2022 at 08:40:57 PM EST
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