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"this is a major problem for the Crimean peninsula" The major problem was the Ukraine cutting all the water supply to Crimea in 2014 [0] and electricity in 201

by gdy 3y ago

"this is a major problem for the Crimean peninsula" The major problem was the Ukraine cutting all the water supply to Crimea in 2014 [0] and electricity in 2015. [1] [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Crimean_Canal#2014%E2%80%932022 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Crimean_Canal#2014%E2%80... [1] https://www.refworld.org/docid/56a7a04e4.html https://www.refworld.org/docid/56a7a04e4.html

ggm 3y ago
So strategically, the Russians have had nearly a decade to adjust. Which means the burden of water loss/destruction as an immediate problem lies with Ukraine. Therefore in my model of the calculus of war the pain lies heavier on Ukraine, and for that reason if no other I believe the act was perpetrated by the Russians either cynically to demoralise deelectrify and dehouse, or for direct tactical gain to halt the advance in mud, or both.
- gdy 3y ago
  "the Russians have had nearly a decade to adjust" Adjust how? After the start of the war Russia reenabled the flow of water to Crimea as soon as it could. "I believe the act was perpetrated by the Russians either cynically to demoralise deelectrify and dehouse" Firstly, what is the point of that from the military perspective? And according to Putin, the regions where the fighting is going, 'voted' to join Russia and antagonizing population even further serves no end. Secondly, attributing such meaningless callousness to Russians is either russophobia or the result of thoughtless consumption of Western propaganda. Thirdly, what adjective would you use to the Ukrainians shelling of small Russian cities and villages near boarder?
  - misstang 3y ago
    Russian military history going back centuries showcases scorched earth tactics. Russian have burned Russia during war to defeat enemies. This is a long standing Russian military doctrine. Everything can be rebuilt. It’s been done before. Tanks can’t roll in mud. Seems simple and convincing enough, specially when retreat would have possibly fatal political consequences. Russian history has more to add to this conversation regarding the “population” and taking in of their considerations when Russia’s elite made and make decisions. The population itself historically seems to have accepted this state of affairs. (It is not “Russophobia” to remind of Russian military’s history when discussing Russian military tactics.)
    - gdy 3y ago
      You are confused. Russian forces retreated in the Ukraine in the previous year but didn't use this 'scorched earth tactics' you try to attribute to Russian military doctrine. Kherson was left as it was right before the retreat just like other cities and towns. "to remind of Russian military’s history" Actually, you haven't reminded of anything specific.
      - lisasays 3y ago
        Kherson was left as it was right before the retreat just like other cities and towns. Only because they were routed (and the whole front in that region collapsed, basically) so quickly that they didn't have time to roll out the usual scorched-earth tactic that is their calling card. Blowing up that dam sure helped them get caught up towards that end, though.
        gdy 3y ago
        "Only because they were routed (and the whole front in that region collapsed, basically) so quickly" Not that quickly. [0] "the usual scorched-earth tactic that is their calling card" That's russophobic fiction. "Blowing up that dam sure helped them get caught up towards that end" Here is a Washington Post article [0] about Ukrainians attacking the dam with American missile to test if they can blow it up: "Kovalchuk considered flooding the river. The Ukrainians, he said, even conducted a test strike with a HIMARS launcher on one of the floodgates at the Nova Kakhovka dam, making three holes in the metal to see if the Dnieper’s water could be raised enough to stymie Russian crossings but not flood nearby villages. The test was a success, Kovalchuk said, but the step remained a last resort. He held off." There were many more attacks on that dam by the Ukraine [1] but I won't bother to try to find non-Russian sources, the WP article is enough. [0] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/29/ukraine-offensive-kharkiv-kherson-donetsk/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/29/ukraine-offe... [1] https://pikabu.ru/story/skolko_raz_vsu_obstrelivali_kakhovskuyu_gyes_posle_nachala_voennoy_spetsoperatsii_10311235 https://pikabu.ru/story/skolko_raz_vsu_obstrelivali_kakhovsk...
        3y ago

by gdy 3y ago

ggm 3y ago

So strategically, the Russians have had nearly a decade to adjust. Which means the burden of water loss/destruction as an immediate problem lies with Ukraine. Therefore in my model of the calculus of war the pain lies heavier on Ukraine, and for that reason if no other I believe the act was perpetrated by the Russians either cynically to demoralise deelectrify and dehouse, or for direct tactical gain to halt the advance in mud, or both.

gdy 3y ago
"the Russians have had nearly a decade to adjust" Adjust how? After the start of the war Russia reenabled the flow of water to Crimea as soon as it could. "I believe the act was perpetrated by the Russians either cynically to demoralise deelectrify and dehouse" Firstly, what is the point of that from the military perspective? And according to Putin, the regions where the fighting is going, 'voted' to join Russia and antagonizing population even further serves no end. Secondly, attributing such meaningless callousness to Russians is either russophobia or the result of thoughtless consumption of Western propaganda. Thirdly, what adjective would you use to the Ukrainians shelling of small Russian cities and villages near boarder?
- misstang 3y ago
  Russian military history going back centuries showcases scorched earth tactics. Russian have burned Russia during war to defeat enemies. This is a long standing Russian military doctrine. Everything can be rebuilt. It’s been done before. Tanks can’t roll in mud. Seems simple and convincing enough, specially when retreat would have possibly fatal political consequences. Russian history has more to add to this conversation regarding the “population” and taking in of their considerations when Russia’s elite made and make decisions. The population itself historically seems to have accepted this state of affairs. (It is not “Russophobia” to remind of Russian military’s history when discussing Russian military tactics.)
  - gdy 3y ago
    You are confused. Russian forces retreated in the Ukraine in the previous year but didn't use this 'scorched earth tactics' you try to attribute to Russian military doctrine. Kherson was left as it was right before the retreat just like other cities and towns. "to remind of Russian military’s history" Actually, you haven't reminded of anything specific.
    - lisasays 3y ago
      Kherson was left as it was right before the retreat just like other cities and towns. Only because they were routed (and the whole front in that region collapsed, basically) so quickly that they didn't have time to roll out the usual scorched-earth tactic that is their calling card. Blowing up that dam sure helped them get caught up towards that end, though.
      - gdy 3y ago
        "Only because they were routed (and the whole front in that region collapsed, basically) so quickly" Not that quickly. [0] "the usual scorched-earth tactic that is their calling card" That's russophobic fiction. "Blowing up that dam sure helped them get caught up towards that end" Here is a Washington Post article [0] about Ukrainians attacking the dam with American missile to test if they can blow it up: "Kovalchuk considered flooding the river. The Ukrainians, he said, even conducted a test strike with a HIMARS launcher on one of the floodgates at the Nova Kakhovka dam, making three holes in the metal to see if the Dnieper’s water could be raised enough to stymie Russian crossings but not flood nearby villages. The test was a success, Kovalchuk said, but the step remained a last resort. He held off." There were many more attacks on that dam by the Ukraine [1] but I won't bother to try to find non-Russian sources, the WP article is enough. [0] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/29/ukraine-offensive-kharkiv-kherson-donetsk/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/29/ukraine-offe... [1] https://pikabu.ru/story/skolko_raz_vsu_obstrelivali_kakhovskuyu_gyes_posle_nachala_voennoy_spetsoperatsii_10311235 https://pikabu.ru/story/skolko_raz_vsu_obstrelivali_kakhovsk...
        3y ago