Russian lawmakers authorize Putin to use military force outside the country, Part II

[robkelk]

-- Canada's Defence Minister says he wants to send "noncombat" troops to Ukraine

This is SOP for Canada -- we sent "noncombat" troops to Afghanistan, too. (I think Korea was the last time we gave anything more than the proverbial "all assistance short of actual help". But, apparently, we're getting good at training other people to fight...)

[classicdrogn]

I'm sure a few units of medical corpsmen would be welcomed as well; there's always more breaks and bullet holes than trained hands to bandage them. Likewise mechanics who are already familiar with the foreign equipment being supplied, along with mentoring locals to do the same on both counts.

[Labster]

-- In the heart of Moscow, a busy concert hall was attacked by terrorists, 130+ dead so far
-- Oddly the building has big English letters on it saying CROCUS CITY HALL, but it isn't a city hall, it's a concert hall.  Next time, use the word "Municipal" please.
-- Russia immediately blamed Ukraine
-- Ukraine immediately blamed Russian secret police doing a false flag on home soil
-- Daesh in Khorasan took credit for it
-- Russia still sure Ukraine did it
-- Ukraine thinks it might still be a deflection from Russia
-- Daesh releases bodycam footage from the attack, "no really, we killed you infidels!"
-- Russia pretty sure Ukraine is behind Daesh all along
-- Ukraine is notes that the enemy of the enemy is definitely not their friend
-- 0% approval rating worldwide for Daesh aka IS aka ISIS aka ISIL aka ISIS-K (which doesn't even make sense because the S=Syria and K=Khorasan)
-- US Congress passes a short-term budget, pats itself on the back (no Ukraine funding yet)
-- Immediately, Congresswoman/Russian asset Marjorie Traitor Greene introduces a resolution to bring down yet another Speaker
-- A couple of Republicans have put in their two-week notice (no, really), which brings the GOP majority down to +1 in a couple weeks
-- Democrats say they may save Russian asset and Speaker Mike Johnson if he agrees to put forward a Ukraine aid bill.
-- Black Sea Fleet keeps getting smaller


Meanwhile, in actual war targets land, Russian Refinery Bingo:



The red text on the images comes from the original Ukrainian meme, which translates to Bayraktar'ed.  Not that they're still using Bayraktar drones, since Russia has a minimally-functional functional air defense, just they have meme status due to the early war where Russia had zero air defense.

Finally, someone is doing something about global warming!  Reportedly 10% of Russian refining capacity is down, but that doesn't affect exports of crude oil.  Also there were some reports that America told Ukraine to stop bombing refineries, Ukrainian diplomats denied receiving such messages.  So much propaganda...

[classicdrogn]

I'll be honest, I still have the Bayraktar song (dance mix version) in my frequent-rotation playlist. As memes go it really struck gold.

[Dartz]

And here we see the end of the Black Sea Ropucha. Where once the Sea was filled with these grey landing craft, now they exist only in images and photographs. Their ultimate fate - that which awaits all creatures unable to meet the challenges of a changing environment - Extinction.

[Labster]

You know, with all the shit going on today in my world, I’m just stressed out. But how can I be anything other than elated today? Ukraine got billions in weapons from America, and there are already ATACMS in the hands of the UAF.

Light ‘em up, boys! Slava Ukraini!

[Dartz]

I never thought I'd find myself on the side of the Milicons, but strange times make for strange bedfollows.

That's a lot of weaponry.....

[Dartz]

So. Russia is now using motorcycle cavalry. They are, of course, achieving some pretty remarkable attrition rates. I find, this reminds me of something....

----

Half a klick, half a klick,
Half a klick onward,
Across the field of Death
Battalion two hundred.
"V' Pizdu," was the mobik's cry;
Their's not to reason why,
Their's not to make reply,
Their's but to go and die,
Across the field of Death
Battalion two hundred.

2.

Drones to right of them,
Drones to left of them,
Drones in front of them
Buzz'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Badly they rode and, well;
Fed to the jaws of Death,
Fed to the mouth of Hell,
Battalion two hundred.

3.

Rusted all their rifles were,
Fired only once in air,
Finished off by gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the burning-smoke
Up against the line they broke;
Strong was the sabre-stroke;
Making mobiks reel
Shaken and sunder'd.
Then they fled back, but not,
The Cargo two hundred.

4.

Drones to right of them,
Drones to left of them,
Drones above them
Buzz'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Slowly they strode and, well
Meat in the jaws of Death,
Half a klick back again,
Fodder to the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
A cube of two hundred.

5.

Deep in their grave and cold
Not shall their tale be told,
Yea, when our Ladas are sold—
How they rode onward.

------

If I was smarter or less drunk I could do something better....

[classicdrogn]

It doesn't seem like the situation where being less drunk will help you think about it more. Not with an even semi-functional sense of empathy, anyway.

[Dartz]

Best not to empathise with mobiks, I find. Their fate is not going to be pleasant. But it is made necessary both by their own actions, and the actions of a Russian government. Their deaths unironically make the world a better place because Russia and its goals being defeated.

[classicdrogn]

Thus the drink, yes. The grist never has a good time of it in the mill of history.