I know the U.S. is operationally restricted in their military choices in defense of Ukraine

[bigtree]

...but it's really gratifying for my own anti-war inclinations to see such robust efforts to confront Russian military aggression by closing the avenues of international economic participation to the dictatorship.

We've seen economic power take precedent over, or achieve parity with military conquest as an overarching goal of the Cold War superpowers. Despite the madness Putin is displaying in bombing residential targets and declaring 'control' over parts of Ukraine, the more determinate measure of that occupation of the ground his military stands on will be whether those territorial gains translate into something which adds to Russia's economic standing, or if that effort results in further weakening that economic power that sustains and enhances truly great nations.

He certainly doesn't get that by killing civilians and blowing up buildings. What he'll reap is a permanent resistance at his doorstep, not only to defend Ukraine, but to aligned to further Putin's demise.

In all of that, it's reassuring to see Pres. Biden using those economic levers, through diplomacy, which are the real measure of a nation's greatness, more than it would be watching the military machinations so destructive to everyone take precedence in our response, for whatever reason.

[COL Mustard]

1. I'm all for softer power instead of sending troops

This is the first time in my lifetime that I've seen the Free World this united against a common adversary.

I'm shocked - absolutely shocked - at how poorly the Russian Army has apparently performed to date. Where are their log trains? Their fuel supplies seem to have dried up and their troops aren't being fed either. I can only imagine what their ammo resupply is like. I mean, FFS, their armored vehicles are being abandoned by the side of the road for the Ukrainians to take over! Talk about Battle Loss Replacement!!! Grab and go has a whole new meaning.

I do think we should support the Ukrainian military in whatever ways we can. We've sent lots of ammo and weapons and I hope we can keep it going. They're going to need it.

[Bayard]

2. I'm betting the Russian troops aren't being paid either

Even with worthless rubles.

[COL Mustard]

3. I doubt they have direct deposit

That's how our troops get paid even in a war zone.

[bigtree]

4. saw a report today that they're sending antiwar protesters into Ukraine as conscripts

...that doesn't sound like a cohesive military.

Link to tweet

I wouldn't be surprised to find Putin and his cronies have siphoned so much money out of Russia that very little made it into their military forces, especially training and weapon and material maintenence to ensure rediness and effectiveness.