This thread was originally opened in 2013 during the revolt that eventually overthrew the Yanukovyich regime and instituted democratic elections. Since the Russian invasion that began in February 2022, it's been repurposed to focus on the conflict. Some people have expressed the view that the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, beginning in 2014, never really ended.
Although at one time claims were made that different segments of Ukrainian society were more aligned with Russia than the West, the invasion seems to have resulted in a higher level of Ukrainian unity in the face of Russian military aggression. Although it is hard to document public opinion in the occupied areas, there was never very much evidence in favor of support for the Russian annexation of sections of Ukraine.
The invasion is also a result of certain grievances proclaimed by Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, and used by him as justification for armed attack and occupation. Western governments, and others around the world, have joined together in condemnation of this attack.
While we do not know what the ultimate outcome of these events will be, this thread will continue to be made available as a place to record news, ask questions and express opinions about the "Crisis in Ukraine."
This map
will help track the latest developments.
Mod notes
- Do not post anything about the Ukrainian military movement and strategy. This could actually result in casualties.
- No discussion regarding nuclear war. As nuclear weapons are not being used by either side, nuclear war is off-topic.
- When posting social media links, please (1) state the source [e.g. Reuters reporter? State-sponsored Facebook account? Civilian Twitter/X?] (2) clarify if it is fact or opinion and (3) summarize the information being presented. If, for example, it's a single civilian voice on Twitter/X, is it really trustworthy or relevant?
Ukrainian protesters besiege government building
Clashes amid huge Ukraine protest against U-turn on EU
Over 300,000 defy protest ban in Ukraine
- "Fierce clashes erupt after protesters take to streets again, chanting "revolution" as anger against government grows."
What started as a protest against the decision not to sign an agreement with the EU seems to have escalated into a "Color Revolution" or "Arab Spring" style movement to force the government to resign. By some reports, the police are using violent tactics to suppress the street protests.
The Western half of the Ukraine has historically felt closer to Europe , and wants to move Ukrainian society in that direction. Eastern Ukraine feels culturally closer to Russia, and favors closer relations with that country. The current regime of President Viktor Yanukovich is part of that camp. The current confrontations can be seen as a clash between these two halves of Ukrainian society.Ukraine protests: Thousands march through capital
- over 100,000 by some counts
Ukrainian protesters besiege government building
Clashes amid huge Ukraine protest against U-turn on EU
Over 300,000 defy protest ban in Ukraine
- "Fierce clashes erupt after protesters take to streets again, chanting "revolution" as anger against government grows."
What started as a protest against the decision not to sign an agreement with the EU seems to have escalated into a "Color Revolution" or "Arab Spring" style movement to force the government to resign. By some reports, the police are using violent tactics to suppress the street protests.
The Western half of the Ukraine has historically felt closer to Europe , and wants to move Ukrainian society in that direction. Eastern Ukraine feels culturally closer to Russia, and favors closer relations with that country. The current regime of President Viktor Yanukovich is part of that camp. The current confrontations can be seen as a clash between these two halves of Ukrainian society.
EDIT (2/24/2022)
This thread was originally opened in 2013 during the beginning of the revolt in Ukraine that eventually over-threw the dictatorship of the Yanukovyich regime and instituted democratic elections soon afterward. As of this writing, in the aftermath of the Russian invasion that began on 2/23, it is not clear whether or for how long Ukraine will continue to exist as an independent country.
Statements made nine years ago still seem relevant: "The Western half of the Ukraine has historically felt closer to Europe , and wants to move Ukrainian society in that direction. Eastern Ukraine feels culturally closer to Russia, and favors closer relations with that country... The current confrontations can be seen as a clash between these two halves of Ukrainian society." Some people have expressed the view that the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, beginning in 2014, never really ended.
The invasion is also a result of certain grievances proclaimed by Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, and used by him as justification for armed attack and occupation. Western governments, and others around the world, have joined together in condemnation of this attack.
While we do not know what the ultimate outcome of these events will be, this thread will continue to be made available as a place to record news, ask questions and express opinions about the "Crisis in Ukraine."
This map
will help track the latest developments.
Do not post anything about the Ukrainian military movement and strategy. This could actually result in casualties.
No discussion regarding nuclear war. As nuclear weapons are not being used by either side, nuclear war is off-topic.
When posting social media links, please (1) state the source [e.g. Reuters reporter? State-sponsored Facebook account? Civilian Twitter?] (2) clarify if it is fact or opinion and (3) summarize the information being presented.
Edited by DeMarquis on Dec 25th 2024 at 7:44:33 AM
Two reports I did not have time yesterday.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 14, 2025 Mar 14, 2025 - ISW Press
- cutt-off was 11:30 am ET.
- Russia continues to push Ukraine out of Kursk thought Ukraine continues to maintan limited positions here.
- Ukrainian attacks on Russian air defences allow Ukraine to attack targests deep in Russia.
- Ukraine is transforming it's army to corps structure.
- Sweden annonced aid.
- Ukraine advanced in Toretsk.
- Russia recently advanced in Toretsk and near Siversk and Pokrovsk.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 13, 2025
- cutt-off was 12:15 pm ET.
- Putin reject US ceasefire a proposed an alteranative that is more favorable to him. (note:go Putin ! You can still make US support Ukraine out of sheer stubborness.)
- Russia is working on a permanent base in Belarus.
- Ukraine dvanced near Pokrovsk.
- Russia advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Lyman, Siversk, and Toretsk.
- Russian millbloggers think that Russia offensive in northern Sumy and Cherniv is likely.
Edited by Risa123 on Mar 15th 2025 at 11:45:46 AM
https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1900871042416919030
War Translated gives an updates on what's happening with the oil refineries in Tuapse. HINT: The fires from the Ukrainian attacks aren't out.
Pushbacks against Trump making claims that Ukrainian troops are surrounded in Kursk. IIRC, the ISW debunked them.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 15, 2025
- cutt-off was 11 am ET.
- Both Ukraine and Russian millbloggers continue to refute US claims that Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk Oblast.
- Russia continues counterattacks in Kursk Oblast, but has not pushed Ukraine out yet.
- Ukraine create a delegation to "engage with international parters" as a part of negotation process to end war.
- Ukraine advanced near Toretsk.
- Russia advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk.
Edited by Risa123 on Mar 16th 2025 at 10:14:48 AM
Russian soldiers in (occupied) Kurakhove stealing washing machines (per usual).
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 16, 2025
- cutt-off was 11:15 am ET.
- US is promising security guarantees to Ukraine for territorial concessions. Both is unspecified.
- Current frontlines do not give enought territorial depth to protect against future agression.
- "coalition of willing" had a virtual summit.
- Ukraine advanced near Borova.
- Russia advanced in Sumy Oblast and near Velyka Novosilka.
US withdrawing from investigations on Russian war crimes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/us/politics/trump-ukraine-invasion-accountability.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6656283
Political scientist Rob Huebert mention that it's terrible that Trump is now blaming Ukraine for the invasion instead of supporting them.
Western people blamed Russian population for allowing the country to slide into rampart fascism. Wonder what would USA citizens do.
I also do not rule out USA government redirecting weapons and munitions from Ukraine to Russia, on the accord that since Ukraine cannot put an end to the war, quick Russian win would bring peace to the former Ukrainian (now Russian) people.
I will be frank and note we have some responsiblity towards the systems we are part of. And so this does not sound like empty talk. I have done admitedly the absolute minimum and swallowed disgust and apathy, but I have done my duty and voted in every election so this does not happen to my country. And if it does I will likely blame myself at least a bit.
That being said, the way some people dehumanize Russians (and yes even the putin supporting ones because those are still people even if they disgust me) fills me with shame to be on the same side.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 17, 2025
- cutt-of was 11:15 am ET.
- It seems that Putin was partially successful with getting preemtive concessions from US. (note: NO COMMENT)
- Putin continues to reject European peacekeeping forces.
- Ukrainian chief of staff was replaced.
- Ukraine advanced near Toretsk.
- Russia advanced near Toretsk and Velyka Novosilka and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
Edited by Risa123 on Mar 18th 2025 at 5:43:57 PM
The degree of agency matters a lot. The majority of Russians see Putin as the lesser evil for Russia proper, which is universally wrong, but 1. communities quite often care about those belonging to them more than others (there is a reason why Western governments care about Ukrainians more than, say, Uyghurs or people in Darfur), 2, the Western-supported alternative killed three times as many Russians within one year than this war did within three
and 3 Russian media environment is dominated by war propaganda, with those trying to tell the truth being at least persecuted.
By contrast, the US prospered under the leadership of (in domestic issues) liberal politicians and a large percentage of the media outlets are pro-Democrat, with way less danger of being persecuted for being saying something the government doesn’t like than in Russia. Yet still, Trump was elected.
I should propably note that American politics is (sadly) not allowed. And frankly I not too keen to talk about right I would only get angry at American failures. Honestly I feel like nothing that I'm not an american and my country was literally invaded by Russia. I do not hate Russians, but I would have at least understandle reason to and I have a damm good reasn not want Russian army get near it again.
EIDT: Kind of proving your argument do I ? Regardlesss if people are justified in caring about their communities that europeans have just as much right to it as anybody else.
Edited by Risa123 on Mar 18th 2025 at 11:50:42 AM
They do, but then they should abandon claims about universal human values and downright state they are afraid that Russia is going to attack them and/or they sympathise with Ukraine more, either because they are Europeans or because they were attacked by Russia. Especially since the Rohingya and the Uyghurs started before the Russian invasion, so in those cases not even the zero-sum excuse of “we were too busy” applied back then.
But let it be known that I really respect your ability of not seeing a group whose members attacked yours and probably committed crimes against it collectively as monsters. This is the enlightened approach we should strive for.
Edited by LordforlornII on Mar 18th 2025 at 4:26:23 AM
Heard in the news that Putin agreed to stop ordering attacks on Ukrainian energy grid.
I don’t think it held.

Elon Musk cuts support to the team researching Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. https://londonlovesbusiness.com/musk-cuts-financial-support-of-the-elite-team-who-rescue-ukrainian-children-stolen-by-putin/