Russia Masses Military Equipment Near Ukraine Borders: A Prologue to WWIII?

[DarkHunter]

Hearing reports a second Il-76 was shot down, seems it was also carrying soldiers but it's not clear.  

Seems the Russian military has gone utterly insane and has decided to attack Kiev which suggest they are getting desperate.  Urban fighting essentially gets rid of Russia's armored advantage and gives massive benefits to the Ukranians.  

Seems Russia has landed paratroopers near Kiev, hence the reports of Il-76s getting shot down.  Not clear if they Il-76s landed or if the paratroopers did a jump.

Intelligence leaks are saying the Russian military is frustrated at the rate of the invasion and if they dont take Kiev quickly they will begin using thermobaric weapons in Kiev.

[Occult1]

Just now, DarkHunter said:

Seems the Russian military has gone utterly insane and has decided to attack Kiev which suggest they are getting desperate. 

Why? Their main objective was probably to take over the Capital. Once they do, Ukraine no longer has a country.

[DarkHunter]

4 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

That's some serious wishful thinking. Kiev is falling within hours according to Western sources. The government of Ukraine is on the brink of collapse.

That is clearly from pro-Russian sources.  Gronzy took over a month of heavy urban fighting before the Russians took it and they had complete and total air superiority and used artillery indiscriminately.  In Syria each major city that was attacked resulted in battles lasting months.  Historically if the defenders of a city are determined, which the Ukranians seem to be, then taking cities is generally a months long bloody battle.

Oddly enough nothing on twitter or non-mainstream media is talking about the Ukranian government collapsing, main stream media isnt even talking about that.  Only statements from the Russian government or Russian media is saying the Ukranian government is near collapse among other clearly false things.

[DarkHunter]

Just now, Occult1 said:

Why? Their main objective was probably to take over the Capital. Once they do, Ukraine no longer has a country.

That is ridiculous, losing Kiev which isnt even clear if it will happen given how Ukranian military has defended Sumy and Kharkiv wont cause Ukraine to fall.  The Ukranian government was expecting Kiev to fall at the start and already moved important government functions to Lviv already.

[DarkHunter]

US officials confirm two Il-76s were shot down over Ukraine.  Assuming they were carrying troops that's between 250 to 450 Russian soldiers killed.

Edited February 26, 2022 by DarkHunter

[Occult1]

17 minutes ago, DarkHunter said:

That is clearly from pro-Russian sources.

It's from US Intelligence officials. Bloomberg , Newsweek, The Independant and The Hill have all reported on it. Kiev seems about to fall.

Quote

US officials concerned Kyiv could fall to Russia within days: reports

U.S. intelligence officials have expressed concerns that Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv could fall to Russia within days, according to multiple reports.

Newsweek, citing three U.S. officials, said the U.S. thinks that Kyiv will fall within the next few days, which would severely hurt Ukraine’s resistance in the war.

"After the air and artillery end and the ground war really starts, I think Kyiv falls in just a few days," a former senior U.S. intelligence official told the outlet, noting the military could hold out, “but this isn’t going to last long.

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/595799-us-intelligence-officials-concerned-kyiv-could-fall-to-russia-within

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/kiev-ukraine-russia-invasion-b2022754.html

Sorry to burst your bubble.

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by Occult1

[DarkHunter]

First link is essentially just a copy paste of the story from Bloomberg so not really two independent sources, just one story.

As for the story itself it's all based on one single anonymous western intelligence officials who says Kiev may fall in hours and that Ukraines air defense has been destroyed.  Problem is Ukraines air defense hasnt been destroyed and is still shooting down Russian jets and helicopters, along with the occasional missile interception.  Even then the story was from the 24 with the officials saying Kiev could fall within hours of the story being posted which it hasnt.  Ultimately the article is just wrong and seems to be more of a clickbate piece then actual information or analysis of the situation.

[DarkHunter]

13 minutes ago, Occult1 said:

It's from US Intelligence officials. Bloomberg , Newsweek, The Independant and The Hill have all reported on it. Kiev seems about to fall.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/kiev-ukraine-russia-invasion-b2022754.html

Sorry to burst your bubble.

 

Guess we will find out but when Kiev is still not in Russian control by Monday you want me to remind you of your statements.

[DarkHunter]

Reports that Ukranian military destroyed an advancing Russian column in Kiev are starting to come out.

Kazakstan is denying a Russian request for troops to aid in the invasion of Ukraine.

[DarkHunter]

Its morning now in Kiev, video was from last night in Kiev on the outskirt of Kiev showing a Russian BTR attacked with molotov cocktails presumably from Ukranian civilians.

 

If it was Ukranian civilians that's a bad sign for the Russian troops attacking Kiev.

Edited February 26, 2022 by DarkHunter

[+DieChecker]

8 hours ago, spartan max2 said:

I don't think at this point it would be that helpful 

I think we should of massed troops before he invaded as a deterrent. From a defensive position

But according to Helen Ukraine wouldn't allow that anyways. 

 

Biden, and thus the USA, has stated that he'll not send a single US soldier into Ukraine. 

So, even if Ukraine asked for troops, the US has already said "No".

[+susieice]

Stop feeding the troll DarkHunter  That guy needs a poster of Putin to hang on his wall.

[DarkHunter]

Just now, susieice said:

Stop feeding the troll DarkHunter  That guy needs a poster of Putin to hang on his wall.

Cant help myself, the stuff posted is just so bad and obviously not accurate.

[+Shooter McGavin]

13 minutes ago, DarkHunter said:

Its morning now in Kiev, video was from last night in Kiev on the outskirt of Kiev showing a Russian BTR attacked with molotov cocktails presumably from Ukranian civilians.

 

If it was Ukranian civilians that's a bad sign for the Russian troops attacking Kiev.

 

Long live Ukraine! Give em hell, friends!

[+Nuclear Wessel]

You guys are all aware that Russia attacked a Japanese cargo ship yesterday, correct? This sh!t is getting way too out of hand. I don't like it. I have a bad feeling. Putin is getting desperate.

 

[+Shooter McGavin]

This was being passed out to the population. Instructions on the weak points of Russian armored vehicles.

 

[Guest Xetan]

2 minutes ago, Nuclear Wessel said:

You guys are all aware that Russia attacked a Japanese cargo ship yesterday, correct? This sh!t is getting way too out of hand. I don't like it. I have a bad feeling. Putin is getting desperate.

 

Indeed. It's almost like he's deliberately trying to bait a response from other nations.

Edited February 26, 2022 by Xetan

[+susieice]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/russia-ukraine-live-updates-n1289976/ncrd1289985#liveBlogCards

Kazakhstan, one of Russia's closest allies and a southern neighbor, is denying a request for its troops to join the offensive in Ukraine, officials said Friday.

Additionally, the former Soviet republic said it is not recognizing the Russia-created breakaway republics upheld by Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, as a pretext for its aggression in Ukraine. 

Despite ceasefire accords covering the disputed land, Putin on Monday declared Russia's recognition of Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) as independent states.

The surprising development from a traditional ally of Russia has the support of the United States.

“We welcome Kazakhstan’s announcement that they will not recognize the LPR and DPR," the National Security Council said in a statement. "We also welcome Kazakhstan’s refusal to send its forces to join Putin’s war in Ukraine."

[+Nuclear Wessel]

2 minutes ago, susieice said:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/russia-ukraine-live-updates-n1289976/ncrd1289985#liveBlogCards

Kazakhstan, one of Russia's closest allies and a southern neighbor, is denying a request for its troops to join the offensive in Ukraine, officials said Friday.

Additionally, the former Soviet republic said it is not recognizing the Russia-created breakaway republics upheld by Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, as a pretext for its aggression in Ukraine. 

Despite ceasefire accords covering the disputed land, Putin on Monday declared Russia's recognition of Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) as independent states.

The surprising development from a traditional ally of Russia has the support of the United States.

“We welcome Kazakhstan’s announcement that they will not recognize the LPR and DPR," the National Security Council said in a statement. "We also welcome Kazakhstan’s refusal to send its forces to join Putin’s war in Ukraine."

 

You know it's bad when your own allies are like "Nah, man - not my monkeys, not my circus"

[+susieice]

Link talks about some planes being shot down too.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Live-updates-Ukrainian-military-battles-Russian-16946406.php

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the U.S. government but turned down the offer.

Zelenskyy said in response: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation, who described Zelenskyy as upbeat.

Invading Russian forces closed in on Ukraine’s capital on Saturday, in an apparent encircling movement after a barrage of airstrikes on cities and military bases around the country.

[Occult1]

25 minutes ago, susieice said:

 

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Live-updates-Ukrainian-military-battles-Russian-16946406.php

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the U.S. government but turned down the offer.

Seems foolish. If the U.S. warns him to leave Kiev, it's probably because they have credible Intel that the capital is about to fall.

If the President is held captive or worst, the moral of Ukrainian troops will sink to a very low level.

He should probably leave to a safer place while there is still time.

Edited February 26, 2022 by Occult1

[DarkHunter]

According to the Ukranian military so far 3,500 Russian soldiers killed, 200 Russian soldiers taken prisoner, 102 Russian tanks destroyed, 15 Russian artillery pieces destroyed, a buk system destroyed (seen pictures of this one, was hit by an anti-armor weapon in the rear left side), 14 Russian planes shot down, 8 Russian helicopters shot down, and 536 various Russian military vehicles destroyed.

The 3,500 killed may be a killed and wounded count.  Even then should mention this is still coming from the Ukranian military so chance the numbers are inflated.

Hearing reports that the air assault on the airfield south of Kiev has failed, not surprising as two Il-76 aircraft involved in it were apparently shot down.  At this rate of failed air assaults Russia will run out of VDV personnel.

Edited February 26, 2022 by DarkHunter

[DarkHunter]

1 hour ago, Nuclear Wessel said:

You guys are all aware that Russia attacked a Japanese cargo ship yesterday, correct? This sh!t is getting way too out of hand. I don't like it. I have a bad feeling. Putin is getting desperate.

 

Before the Japanese cargo ship they fired two missiles at a Moldova cargo ship.  It seems they are attacking any ship in the Black sea but I do agree Putin is getting desperate.  Seeing reports from mostly UK that Russia is significantly behind in their invasion plan as they didnt expect this level of Ukranian resistance.

This is a good example of why its dangerous to believe your own propaganda.

[Coil]

 

Russian troops failed to capture a single Ukrainian city overnight - General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

active hostilities are going south - in Kherson, Nikolaev, Odessa. this direction is considered a priority for the Russian Federation.

sabotage groups are working in the capital in some places, against which the National Police and Terroborona are actively working. On the outskirts, the defense is held by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

There are also fierce battles around Mariupol, but now, according to Podolyak, the Russian Federation has no chance of capturing it.

In Kyiv, a rocket hit a residential multi-storey building:

[Setton]

2 hours ago, Occult1 said:

Seems foolish. If the U.S. warns him to leave Kiev, it's probably because they have credible Intel that the capital is about to fall.

If the President is held captive or worst, the moral of Ukrainian troops will sink to a very low level.

He should probably leave to a safer place while there is still time.

You don't know many Ukrainians do you?