Now that the dust has settled in the aftermath of the latest Russian punitive measure aimed at the Kiev government, we can safely makes some conclusions about the direction that the war will go in going forward.
First of all, let’s talk about the strikes themselves.
Pros:
Good for internal PR (cries to “do something!” were reaching a crescendo at home)
Good for General Sorovikin himself (people now perceive him as a do-er, not a paper-pusher)
They wanted my rockets to fall (on them)
1st day of General Sorovikin’s command
This story is pretty funny:
In Kyiv, one of the arrivals fell on the warehouse of the cosmetic brand LAMEL, which just yesterday was celebrating the terrorist attack on the Crimean bridge.
They also put up art depicting the destruction of the bridge near the actual building itself.
This is one way to win the cultural war: to bomb the people who put out bad culture. I approve wholeheartedly. They should hit some nail salons next to really put the hurt on the death-harpies cawing for blood in Ukraine.
Gloating on the left, anger on the right.
It really is incredible how bloodthirsty these women are. As I’ve written before, Ukrainian nu-nationalism is essentially female in nature. The women are its most hardcore acolytes. Ukraine, the battered wife of an abusive husband, Russia, is the dominant narrative in these front-holes’ heads.
Thin red line honored (Putin and Shoigu made a warning, and if they didn’t make good on it, they’d look like pushovers)
Hard to translate but I’ll try: Listen, incompetents, f*ck. Here’s Kiev and here are the rockets. Easy problem to solve, f*ck.
And finally, morale is important.
I, at least, am appreciative of the sudden increase in positive energy coming from the Russian side.
https://gab.com/Rolocaust/posts/109149043497158292
Cons:
Here, it’s worth going into a little more depth.
Russia is on the defensive in this war, and so, was limited by what it could do to reciprocate for the latest act of sabotage by the Kiev government. The only thing they could do was fire off some missiles. Many had called on Russia to start targeting command centers and individual politicians in Ukraine and so on. Good on them for finally doing so. The chief of the cyber-division died in the strike.
I love the smell of fried spooks in the morning
They also hit Zelensky’s office, the German Embassy and some other buildings. Only a handful of civilian deaths were reported. About 8-11 at the time of writing. A brutal punitive massacre of civilians this was not.
As to why they held back on doing it before? Who knows. I blame everyone but the military.
But, fundamentally, this changes nothing. The Russians unleashed a similar wave of rockets targeting electricity stations, bridges and dams when they lost Kharkev. This wave of attacks, while larger, is just as inconsequential on the actual course of the war on the front. As a signal that Russia is serious and not ready to entertain backing down, it’s a good one though.
Another point worth considering: Strelkov is not happy.
The night passed for our respected Ukrainian partners much the same as for everyone else. All bridges on the Dnieper are intact. In Kyiv, the Rada, the General Staff, the Security Service, television, the Ministry of Defense, and the office of the President - calmly went to work in the morning. Or went on a Sunday picnic.
But hey, they hit that pedestrian bridge across the Dniepr. Which, honestly, what were they thinking? It’s literally a bridge that takes you to to this island where the peasants sunbathe and swill cheap bear in the woods. No strategic or symbolic value whatsoever.
Strelkov, who has been right more than anyone else, is worth listening to.
Memes aside, not much changed.
All in all, it was a fun day. But today is the next day and there hasn’t been a follow-up. Let’s see what this general does next.
"where the peasants sunbathe and swill cheap bear in the woods."
Now there's an evocative typo. Drinking bears sounds very Indo-European, in a midnight blood ritual kind of way.
Fucking finally.
The western press is spinning this as a huge indiscriminate attack targeting civilians.
That only 11 civs top died is a huge point to get right.
I think the west's coverage will backfire, because they're running Russia's propaganda for them:
> Big Bad fires countless rockets and every civilian is shitting their pants; OMG be afraid of Putler!!!1!
Alternatively:
> Russians missiles are capable of targetting any part of the ukraine and there's nothing we can do about it.
“The best political weapon is the weapon of terror. Cruelty commands respect. Men may hate us. But, we don’t ask for their love; only for their fear.” - Heinrich Himmler