You may make fun of it, but the reality of it is even funnier: Ukrainian army is probably occupying gas and oil distribution hub for Hungary, Slovakia and partially for Turkey.
So now Putler has few bad options:
- Try to liberate it which would probably mean destroying it (using usual Russian tactics).
- Do nothing and look bad in Russia.
- Make some concessions to UA and look bad in Russia.
This will be fun.
Mastodon thread about it: https://infosec.exchange/@littlealex/112925288375029203
note: ukrainians can just mine all that equipment at their convenience, they hold ground there. in case of any risk of russian approach they can just blow it up to smithereens, because contract for transit through this pipeline ends this december, neither side wants to extend it, and the only side effect is hungary going without gas supply - and it’s closed already anyway
If they do that, they get on the bad side of all the countries that depend on that gas.
But, if it’s destroyed by Russian artillery as the Russians try to re-take the territory, the blame falls on the Russians.
that’d be mostly slovakia and austria
There’s no way they actually occupy it long-term. They only deployed a couple battalions worth of troops. But it does send a strong message.
Honestly as second fronts go… if the opportunity presented, the clear plan would be to take the rail hub at Kursk and block in the city while rolling SE. It would create a long logistics problem for the invasion, and cause invasion troops to need to reroute NW or face attack on an open flank.
They could also destroy as much oil & rail infrastructure as they can while they’re there. Plus, this might divert Russian attention in the South like in 2022. In that case, Ukraine could do another push for Zaporizhia or Mariupol and cut off Russian supplies to Crimea and Kherson
And serves as plausible reason that it gets “accidentally” destroyed in a retreat.
They would definitely have good reasons to hide endless mines that could destroy it from a distance
Makes Russia defend their whole border instead of just inside Ukraine.
That was super helpful
Poor Putin… Looks like a door has closed for him, let’s hope god opens a window…
Wink wink
Ukrainian army is probably occupying gas and oil distribution hub for Hungary, Slovakia and partially for Turkey.
Is that selective, or are all the shitbirds coincidentally on the same pipeline?
Pretty much everyone is on the same pipeline, it’s just that most have weaned themselves off of it. So this would also hurt Germany if Germany was still as dependent on Russian gas as Hungary.
Even better, it’s their fault.
Considering the cost of building a pipeline, I’d say the goal was mainly to get it connected to as many top importers as possible
It’s time for a proper Referendum everyone. Surely the Russians can’t object to that?
Not so fast! Have to drive out the native population first. We’re doing it the Russian way here, aren’t we?
Just tell them they can have toilets under Ukrainian rule.
Why bother? Tell the locals they can blame anything they say on the Ukrainian presence, and you’re gonna hear some opinions about Russia.
Oh wow! I had to look up in DuckDuckGo about Kursk; and Ukraine has indeed invaded the Russian territory proper! I thought the initial incursions were done by Ukrainian-backed anti-Kremlin Russians again, but it’s actually the Ukrainians! This actually answers the question that had been hovering in my head for the past couple of days of whether or not Ukraine could mount yet another offensive.
it’s going on for over two days now, ukrainians have taken over 300 POWs, took down a heli, fighter jet and are halfway to kursk nuclear powerplant
They’ve captured some armored vehicles too by the looks of it
The Ukrainian city of Sumy is nearby as well; and Ukrainian intelligence say that they detected build up of Russian forces across the border opposite the city. It looks like not only the attack on Kursk serves to disrupt the pipeline that deliver gas to Europe, but also spoils the possible preparation of Russian forces that might attack Sumy.
liveuamap.com also keeps a relatively updated map of holds what disputed territory
Here’s an interesting take I saw on it:
https://infosec.exchange/@littlealex/112925288375029203
“The way the Russian army fight is simple: Destroy everything in front with artillery and bombs, then send in infantry and tanks to handle the remaining resistance.”
But, if they do that, they’ll probably end up destroying their own gas pipeline junction. And, because of sanctions, they might not even be able to repair that junction if it is destroyed. So, they either have to shoot themselves in the foot by using their normal tactics and destroy the junction with artillery, or they send their soldiers into the meat grinder without artillery cover, or they let Ukraine keep control of the junction proving Putin is weak.
“…proving putin is weak the weakness of putin weak weak the putinweak yadda yadda yadda… weak…”
Aren’t we all sick of this russian obsession with these metrics of constant paranoia, greed and inferiority complexes. A medieval overflowing waterless toilet, spreading infection all over the world, anything it touches.
Not content with living in a pit of warped misery of their own making, they must drag whoever they can down with them.
Goddamn. Glad to see the Ukrainians aren’t out of new ideas.
Let’s make a fake referendum like the one on Crimea…
What I love is I found out about this because Russia wanted everyone to know that the Ukrainians definitely were not advancing into Russia.
At which point I find the town and went to Google maps and the road closure at the front line is marked on Google maps!
For the curious the Ukrainians are about 12 km into Russia and 70 km from the outskirts of Kursk.
Kursk be lookin like
i think give the crimean Tatars autonomy at least
I agree. Its the only way.
