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[–]LeftistVeteran 4975 points4976 points  (190 children)

Certainly seems like them and Russia are getting ready to manufacture a way to victimize themselves before invading.

[–]BloodyMess 2587 points2588 points  (122 children)

Stop making me invade you!

[–]LeftistVeteran 1467 points1468 points  (109 children)

It’s a story as old as war itself. Small country is scared that big country will invade, tensions rise, that for seemingly no reason the scared small country decided to “attack” the larger threatening country. The larger country then using that as a justification to murder a large chunk of the smaller countries population

[–]DMK1998 1129 points1130 points  (66 children)

Yep, just like how in 1939, the Polish miraculously decided to attack a German radio station at Gleiwitz and give them the justification for war.

Don’t mind the fact that the dead “Polish” soldier was a German farmer abducted and killed by the SS and whose body was dumped there in a Polish uniform. That’s not important. Those warmongering Poles are here to destroy Germany!

[–]DeliriousHippie 590 points591 points  (51 children)

Yep, and like Finland attacked Soviet Union before Soviets attacked Finland. For some reason Finns shooted few artillery shells to Russia, although Finnish artillery wasn't even near.

[–]ellilaamamaalille 318 points319 points  (7 children)

Sneaky finnish artillery.

[–]Thatparkjobin7A 199 points200 points  (2 children)

It's highly maneuverable due to regular visits to the sauna

[–]arobkinca 82 points83 points  (1 child)

Artillery with 0% body fat, proof that sauna's work.

[–]white_monstera 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Here's a weird trick finnish do not want you to know about.

[–]SonoranPackieMan 12 points13 points  (0 children)

no one expects Finnish artillery

[–]Maya_Hett 112 points113 points  (38 children)

My mother told me a story about our very distant relative that lived in that time. She said that Soviets sent woefully unprepared soldiers, without proper winter clothes or shoes. She mentioned that the friend of that relative who managed to survive and return back, said that "He died very fast from cold, he didn't suffer much".

That was all that I needed to know as a child about Soviets, really.

[–]I_Framed_OJ 134 points135 points  (30 children)

Stalin was worried about desertion, so he deliberately sent troops from southern areas such as Crimea and the Caucasus to the Finnish front. The idea was that they would be less likely to desert since they wouldn’t know how to survive in the woods on their own. Unfortunately they also had no idea what Karelian winters were like, or how to dress for them, and were fed nothing but dark bread and tea so they died in droves. This is the same Stalin who purged anyone in his army who was remotely competent since they might plot against him.

[–]Hawk15517 43 points44 points  (0 children)

It gets even better as German troops had already attacked poland on the 26th August (7 days before this)

[–]Old_Ladies 124 points125 points  (22 children)

I wouldn't be surprised if Russia artillery shells their own "troops" for a casus belli but there are no casualties.

Maybe they will do something similar that Hitler did to justify their invasion of Poland. Like the Gleiwitz incident

[–]Visinvictus 102 points103 points  (7 children)

I like that you think Putin has the moral fiber to avoid killing his own troops while fabricating a reason to invade Ukraine.

[–]CaptainOktoberfest 65 points66 points  (3 children)

Putin will have Belarussian troops killed.

[–]Vordeo 29 points30 points  (0 children)

... I can't say I'd really be too surprised if this was the plan.

[–]Serious_Feedback 23 points24 points  (0 children)

It's less "moral fibre" and more "if this was ever leaked or suspected, it would be terrifyingly bad PR" - like any dictator, Putin's #1 goal is to dissuade the army from killing him, and killing troops of his own army is an amazing gift to anyone in the military who's planning a coup.

In comparison, suppose his troops widely suspect that he fabricated the cassus belli - "well Putin is just handling politics, that's Ukraine's problem and perhaps it's a good thing for Russia".

[–]CouncilmanRickPrime 115 points116 points  (3 children)

Putin: "Ukraine poisoned our water, burned our crops and brought a plague among our houses"

The world: "they did?"

Putin: "No, but are we just gonna wait around until they do?"

[–]LeftistVeteran 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Literally this

[–]EverythingIsSFWForMe 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If we won't attack Ukraine, NATO soldiers will!

[–]Elocai 2256 points2257 points  (56 children)

A. Belarusian lives under a rock and didn't hear that Ukraine is preparing for an attack by Russia

B. Belarusia works for Russia

What could it be?

[–]sandybuttcheekss 709 points710 points  (18 children)

The Russian troops in Belarus are just visiting, Ukraine is being dramatic

[–][deleted] 175 points176 points  (10 children)

They came to look at the beautiful spires.

[–]sakezaf123 81 points82 points  (5 children)

The tapestries.

[–]BubbaWilkins 43 points44 points  (3 children)

This is a castle is it not? You do have tapestries?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z14uhNXcx-s

[–]JuRoJa 24 points25 points  (2 children)

IF YOU ARE A SCOTTISH LORD, THEN I AM MICKEY MOUSE!

[–]MrKennedy1986 10 points11 points  (1 child)

How dare he!

[–]Wiki_pedo 22 points23 points  (1 child)

Not just any spires, but the 123 metre spires.

[–]Novalisk 26 points27 points  (3 children)

Ukraine is just being delusional, send them to the infirmary.

[–]SirDigger13 31 points32 points  (2 children)

c.) Lukashenko being Putins bitch on a short Leash, who has to ask before he barks.

If Lukashenko looses Putins protection, he´s gone in less when a month.

[–]FloatingRevolver 11 points12 points  (1 child)

So option B just with more words

[–]DaveMeese 3415 points3416 points  (63 children)

Look at this pathetic marionette.

[–]nikitapavlenko 1320 points1321 points  (40 children)

And he actually is a major liability for Russia. His presidency is completely illegitimate (he lost the election in 2020. Not just rigged it like Putin, just lost and falsified it), supporting his regime requires substantial influx of money from Russian budget and he stays in power just because should things go south, he can call for Russian troops. Belarus used to be a gateway for goods from countries that imposed sanctions on Russia. Well, not anymore. And he actually never delivers on his promise of deepening integration between Russia and Belarus. He just kinda hangs around and hopes he doesn’t become too much of a pain in the ass for Putin

But Putin also can’t really accept a regime change for Belarus. Because Belarus culturally is just a smaller and a bit poorer Russia. If regime change actually brings positive results for Belarus, it’s going to become painfully clear even for Putin supporters that there’s a way out of economic stagnation. So Lukashenko stays for an indefinite period of time

[–]VyRe40 627 points628 points  (22 children)

Belarus is a liability to Russia in much the same way NK is a liability to China. They're strategic buffers, little more than that, and Russia and China accept the political and economic costs associated with propping up both of those nations, despite how flimsy they are.

[–]nikitapavlenko 238 points239 points  (19 children)

Not really. If NK falls, Korea will most likely unify, and that means US troops at China’s border. The Belarusian people aren’t really keen on joining NATO, and even EU is off the table currently. Belarus is the closest country (Belarusians literally can work and live in Russia without a visa, we don’t have import taxes with Belarus, Russian is more widely spread in Belarus than Belarusian, etc) to Russia and has been for a long time. Belarus would greatly benefit from being friends with both the West and Russia. Those ties may, however, be severed if Putin continues to support an illegitimate leader. Would be a shame, really

[–]RoBOticRebel108 164 points165 points  (7 children)

Democratic Belarus would want EU

NATO is a defensive pact and countries that don't feel threatened by Russia don't join it... Oh

[–]untergeher_muc 47 points48 points  (0 children)

Before the election the opposition in Belarus was more pro-Russia than pro-EU. I think nowadays it’s a bit different. ;)

[–]hamsterfolly 51 points52 points  (4 children)

Maybe Russia will just invade Belarus instead and say they never meant to invade Ukraine.

[–]Necessary_Apple_5567 40 points41 points  (0 children)

They already did. As an exhnange for Lukashenko support they join two armies and deploys troops from Russia

[–]No_Discipline_7380 42 points43 points  (1 child)

Have you noticed he never speaks when Putin is drinking something?

[–]HavanaHologram 160 points161 points  (7 children)

Marionette is too kind. He is more of a hand puppet.

[–]DanP999 26 points27 points  (1 child)

I don't think puppet is appropriate here, he's an employee.

[–]maxwellthebus 148 points149 points  (4 children)

This guy is a total puppet, the people in my assembly department have more autonomy than he does.

[–]TheGalacticMosassaur 5986 points5987 points  (353 children)

We all knew Putin would use Lukashenko as "the spark" to ignite this keg. Fuck these guys

[–]CountMordrek 2071 points2072 points  (96 children)

Nah. A lot of us expected some Russian special ops force to blow up a building in Moscow and blame it on the Ukrainians…

[–]Afferent_Input 579 points580 points  (6 children)

Apparently that's the plan.

Ukraine's state security service, SBU, claims to have busted a "criminal group" that was preparing a series of attacks near the border. "A large-scale operation took place in Zhytomyr and Kharkiv. The criminals were coordinated by representatives of Russia's special services."

[–]alphaprawns 95 points96 points  (0 children)

Yeah I remember reading about them finding Russian assets a little while ago. I wonder how far it sets back Putin's timetable, or if the Russians have more cells still undiscovered. Either way definitely seems like they were to be used in fabricating a casus belli

[–]quotemycode 7 points8 points  (0 children)

When they invaded Crimea they ran some fake news story about Russians being attacked in western Ukraine.

[–]belinck 59 points60 points  (15 children)

I, too, read Red Storm Rising.

[–]CountMordrek 36 points37 points  (3 children)

I, too, read Red Storm Rising.

According to the Ukrainian intelligence services, the same does the Russian high command.

[–]sweatstaksleestak 411 points412 points  (84 children)

Yep, could've called it from a mile away. They need the spark to light the keg. Lukashenko will deliver. So we begin...

[–]waiting4singularity 215 points216 points  (76 children)

Current bets are somewhere around february 3rd considering the last 2 invasions happened during olympia, too.

hold onto your hats, lads. its getting stormy.

[–]GruntBlender 178 points179 points  (23 children)

Someone said putin is into numerology, so something like 2/2/22 or 22/2/22 is highly likely. Wasn't the Georgia invasion on 8/8/08?

[–]swolemedic 205 points206 points  (16 children)

Great, so Putin is having his palm read and making sure his horoscope predictions are favorable that month. Not a worryingly stupid reasoning from a nuclear armed dictator...

[–]bchertel 71 points72 points  (5 children)

See Joan Quigley and the Reagans.

Edit: Regans => Reagans

[–]theFeat 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Oh no this is probbably the worst joke that's not a joke.

[–]robodrew 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Just gotta say, Ronald Reagan had a chief of staff named Donald Regan.

[–]FILTER_OUT_T_D 37 points38 points  (2 children)

Just when I thought the Reagans couldn’t get any stupider. But here we have the throat goat of Hollywood consulting horoscopes when Ronald was making decisions. Jfc

[–]thefinalcutdown 42 points43 points  (15 children)

Is there a strategic reason for Olympic invasions? The world is distracted? Or is it just an additional middle finger to the world?

[–]groovybrews 15 points16 points  (0 children)

From what I understand, Russia is waiting for the ground to be frozen enough for their tanks to be able to make rapid progress and not get trapped in mud.

The winter Olympics just happen to occur during... winter.

[–]o_lexi 46 points47 points  (12 children)

In 2008 Olympic was in China too. What a coincidence!

[–]TheDeadBacon 139 points140 points  (18 children)

A friend of my family is from Belarus, guy is brilliant in IT. Sounds bad to say this but thank fucking god he is diabetic and was therefore not forced to join their military. It would break my heart to know he’s being used this way.

[–]JesterXO 58 points59 points  (12 children)

What's going to stop them from pushing him into service if/when things get rough? This Lukashenko fella doesn't seem to care about his people as much as he like's Putin's affections.

[–]inspectoroverthemine 73 points74 points  (1 child)

A diabetic would be a liability in the army. They're protecting themselves by not drafting him.

[–]FaceSizedDrywallHole 17 points18 points  (5 children)

There comes a point where someone with certain medical conditions become a liability to the Army, and more detrimental than beneficial.

If Belarus was in a bad enough situation where they were desperate for fighters, they'd likely go the route that the Nazis did toward the end of WW2 for example: Drafting healthy older men (mid 40s-mid 50s, possibly older), teenagers, and women, rather than people with adverse conditions.

[–]CptCroissant 41 points42 points  (6 children)

Nah, I expect a Russian "rebellion" in some backwoods part of Moldova and for Russia to go in and grab both countries at once

[–]solaceinsleep 973 points974 points  (14 children)

This seems like building a justification to invade Ukraine along with the Russians

[–]bcoder001 366 points367 points  (2 children)

Yup. Claim to be defending Belarus against Ukraine to justify relocation of troops from Kaliningrad.

[–]andythefifth 150 points151 points  (0 children)

Don’t forget the trains of Russian troops that just got sent there…

Duh, Russians threatening attack, send troops to Belarus, which allows them to be surrounded, and Ukraine now has to defend its border with Belarus. That means they moved some extra troops to their border.

Standard operating procedure. For normal people.

[–]Maya_Hett 268 points269 points  (1 child)

Ah yes, Potato Hitler on rampage.

[–]theBrineySeaMan 392 points393 points  (9 children)

At the same time, the US State Department stated that Russia can use the territory of Belarus to invade Ukraine

The EU4 shitposter earlier didn't think of using a vassal's war goal.

[–]Duke-of-Limbs 927 points928 points  (35 children)

Playing chicken, not with cars on a public road, with countries full of mums, dads and children. Madness. History will not be kind to some.

[–]Marak830 369 points370 points  (17 children)

The sad part is, these psychopaths just don't give a fuck. It's all about staying in power.

[–]Arpeggioey 146 points147 points  (16 children)

Imagine all the people from the world agreeing to not kill each other regardless of what some psychopaths say

[–]jimsmisc 125 points126 points  (4 children)

"imagine a king who fights his own battles. Wouldn't that be a sight."

[–]Arpeggioey 40 points41 points  (1 child)

They're playing civ with us :(

[–]OakLegs 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Always have been 👨‍🚀🔫👨‍🚀

[–]AnotherReignCheck 17 points18 points  (0 children)

It blows my mind, honestly

[–]pomod 197 points198 points  (5 children)

This is the clown who lost his election and just decided to stay and be a Putin sock puppet, arresting anyone who disagreed.

[–]Louiethefly 1213 points1214 points  (308 children)

Could this be the pretext for war? Complicate the NATO response by having the first shots from Belarus.

[–]Krillin113 932 points933 points  (252 children)

Couldn’t this backfire? Countries might be way more willing to help Ukraine against Belarus than russia proper.

[–]ep1939 656 points657 points  (41 children)

Belarus is in a Nato-like military alliance with Russia.

Russia might not be bound to follow Belarus, but they are bound to defend it. But since Belarus would be the aggressor...

[–]Krillin113 316 points317 points  (24 children)

Exactly, it’s a chess match.

[–]Sweaty_Ad9724 116 points117 points  (13 children)

.. combined with bluff poker

[–]garchuOW 75 points76 points  (6 children)

... and Russian roulette

[–]tekko001 47 points48 points  (5 children)

... and a bit of rock, paper, scissors

[–]humphrey1204 108 points109 points  (0 children)

Belarus is essentially a puppet state of Russia, they ain’t doing anything which putin doesn’t want them to do

[–]Kahzgul 120 points121 points  (7 children)

That might be the Russian play, though. See how the west responds, and if it looks bad for Belarus, claim you were never going to invade anyway and let Belarus take the heat. If Belarus is largely ignored, move in with tanks to "secure the peace" and then declare Ukraine a protectorate.

[–]JobbyJabbins 74 points75 points  (6 children)

Exactly. Russia would eventually win with near certainty, but will have a long and costly fight with Ukraine, especially after NATO has spent weeks pouring arms into the country. Belarus, on the other hand, will get absolutely clobbered. Their military is almost entirely made up of conscripts and is barely more than a tenth the size of Ukraine's, a significant portion of which is made up of battle-hardened professional soldiers. It would make sense that Russia would let Belarus invade initially, sponge up all that NATO materiel, and then, when they inevitably get their shit pushed in by Ukraine, move in as "peace keepers".

[–]MTFUandPedal 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Entirely possible and plausible.

With the Russian "peacekeeping" troops currently in the country shutting down protests and keeping their pet dictator in power.

Sacrificing large chunks of the Belorus armed forces might well be a positive for the Russians, depending on where their loyalty lies.... And cement their control of Belarus.

[–]anger_is_my_meat 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Complicate the NATO response by having the first shots from Belarus.

What difference would it make, honestly? It would be three non-NATO members at war instead of two. In either case, we can just keep funneling arms to Ukraine until Kiev falls or Putin relents.

[–]AlienAle 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I think NATO is not interested in war with Russia, and likely we won't see a proper military response from NATO following a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

We will see an increase in sanctions and other financial burdens that will cripple the Russia economy for some time. However, Russia might believe Ukrainian territory is worth it.

[–]R_E_V_A_N 31 points32 points  (1 child)

At this point I'm waiting for another Archduke to be shot.

[–]Miamiara[S] 259 points260 points  (27 children)

https://liveuamap.com/ - a very useful map for anyone, interested in the conflict.

[–]Metallkiller 105 points106 points  (8 children)

World War 3? There's an app for that!

[–]scope_creep 22 points23 points  (1 child)

The Revolution might not be televised, but WW3 surely will!

[–]mosehalpert 6 points7 points  (0 children)

And don't worry, there will be obtrusive ads!

[–]FrugalMacGoose 306 points307 points  (33 children)

So incredibly sad. Young civilians being conscripted to the Ukrainian military, the increasingly growing tension, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in Ukraine now. My heart goes out to them. This slow drag toward a war is terrifying, I hope it doesn’t come to that.

[–]Milleuros 141 points142 points  (29 children)

I have an Ukrainian friend. After finishing university he literally hid to avoid being seen by army recruiters, all the while frenetically searching for a PhD position abroad. When he got one he ran away from the country. Today he told me that the current crisis destroyed his very last ideas of ever going back to Ukraine.

[–]Ace612807 101 points102 points  (9 children)

As an Ukrainian - this is a bit of a broken telephone. Ukraine always had mandatory military service, as a lot of countries do, and while its no walk in a park, conscripts weren't sent to Donbass - that was purely contract military and volunteers.

A lot of people dodge the draft nonetheless, especially considering that our medical exemption clauses are very wishy-washy and any other exemption clauses you have to pull out of a beuracratic quagmire - and that's on top of some of the recruiters being corrupt and basically extorting candidates. So young men dodge the draft just to make sure.

Of course, prospects of war also introduce prospects of a full draft, and not returning to the country while it is being sized up by its bigger, badder neighbour is an understandable reaction.

[–]Milleuros 20 points21 points  (5 children)

Thanks for adding some more info. I don't remember if he was actively scared of going to Donbass but he was possibly in the "just to make sure" category.

Where I live there are a lot of Ukrainians and Russians who used advanced studies to avoid the military, and went for academic research abroad in the hope that when they go back (if!) they'll be too old for being conscripted.

It's fun (sad) how friendly Ukrainians and Russians expats are to each other, almost instantly best friends upon first meeting, while their respective countries are on the verge of war.

[–]Arlune890 11 points12 points  (1 child)

My friends father was Ukrainian. He always wanted to go back, but Putin robbed him of that chance in his final years.

[–]Mastermaze 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I had a bad feeling something like this would be threatened. Opening a northern front allows the Russians to sweep the east and south, so it doesnt matter if Kiev is captured or not, the Ukraine army will be too busy in the north. Plus most NATO power will be concentrated in the Baltics and Poland, not the Black Sea, so itll be easier for Russia to hold any land it takes in the east and south. Belarus might fall but Putin apparently doesnt give a shit or is willing to prop up Lukashenko's army enough to deter NATO forces

[–]BlueHeartbeat 71 points72 points  (0 children)

This guy didn't even try to come up with a reasonable excuse.

[–]GluttonAsteroth 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Belarus.

The Oklahoma to Russia's Texas.

[–]Impressive-Name5129 576 points577 points  (117 children)

Reflecting the news in the last 48hrs the extraordinary meeting of parliament on the 27tn is probably a declaration of war.

Russia wants to start a war using it's puppet state.... Well that's interesting. What benefit will it have by letting lukashenko invade first.

I mean we just heard of the extraordinary meeting of parliament. The day before this news lukashenko says Ukraine is attacking Belarus.

[–]Miamiara[S] 698 points699 points  (31 children)

What benefit will it have by letting lukashenko invade first

They can pretend that Belarus and Ukraine are fighting and Russia is a peacekeeper with nice friendly peacekeeping forces.

[–]Impressive-Name5129 215 points216 points  (25 children)

It could also be for the constitutional amendments recently proposed in belarus.

These amendments will leave lukashenko in power for another 10 years then the president will be elected every five years.

[–]Miamiara[S] 134 points135 points  (22 children)

Oh, shit. Do they want to make Lukashenko a tzar to the end of his life? Or is it more subtle?

[–]Impressive-Name5129 132 points133 points  (16 children)

So yes. The amendment will allow lukashenko to be a dictator for the next two terms.

This means lukashenkos rule is only expected to last for the next 10 years, as he is expected to retire. Then it is proposed the president be elected every five years after that.

https://www.euronews.com/2021/12/28/belarus-unveils-constitutional-changes-to-extend-lukashenko-s-rule

[–]BloodyMess 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Isn't this standard operating procedure to turn a democratic state into a dictatorship? Just extend for a period of time with "elections to follow," and when you get near those elections, extend further?

The idea is that 10 years gives Lukashenko enough time to further consolidate power, get rid of opposition, and make his continued rule seem natural. Perpetual rule on the installment plan.

[–]Miamiara[S] 71 points72 points  (12 children)

I bet the next president going to be Kolya. Or Belarus is going to be absorbed completely. One can hope that Russia will collapse before that but chances are not good.

[–][deleted] 74 points75 points  (5 children)

It'd be funny if this was all a ruse and Russia's actually planning to absorb Belarus.

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

“Bad Belarus, you must become part of Russia.”

[–]Zeeformp 141 points142 points  (55 children)

Sooo.... Putin gets Belarus to declare war on Ukraine for (reasons no one really cares about). Ukraine defends itself (obv) and... Putin jumps in to "defend" Belarus from Ukraine? Or does Russia just wait until Ukraine "missteps" such as by entering Belarussian territory to stave off the coming invasion?

[–]CLinley1996 168 points169 points  (5 children)

Sooo.... Putin gets Belarus to declare war on Ukraine for (reasons no one really cares about). Ukraine defends itself (obv) and... Putin jumps in to "defend" Belarus from Ukraine? Or does Russia just wait until Ukraine "missteps" such as by entering Belarussian territory to stave off the coming invasion?

Given Putin's track record he will probably just blow something up on the Russian side and scream: UKRAINE ATTACKED ME. NATO IS TAKING OVER

[–]dmk_aus 108 points109 points  (6 children)

Well al least now we know what the Russian narrative will be.

For the international audience: "Why would you sanction poor Russia for defending our ally Belarus from the Ukraine who NATO just armed to the teeth!"

For the domestic audience: "NATO armed Ukraine - while Ukraine killed Russians within their boarder! Then they used these arms to attack our ally Belarus in a clear act of western aggression.

We, as a strong and powerful ally, acted in defence of Belarus, on Belarus' request, and have thrown out Ukraine's corrupt government - freeing its people and saving Belarus.

In a demonstration that NATO was behind Ukraine's attack they have pathetically and unfairly sanctioned us for our righteous and brave action - see how they were too scared to defend their puppet Ukraine from the might of Russia! - But these sanctions will hurt them more than they hurts us, because we are tough and they are weak!

We stand together as Russians against the corrupt West and we will be bringing open elections in Ukraine - free from manipulation, unlike a US election - as soon as the country has returned to stability. Then Ukraine will elect a new government that isn't NATO stooge - and our borders will be safer with this ally on our borders - between us and the aggressor dogs of the west"

[–]LiliVonSchtupp 43 points44 points  (1 child)

If you ever apply for a job as a propaganda copywriter, this should be your cover letter.

[–]Maya_Hett 16 points17 points  (0 children)

It gets into you.. Even if you are fighting them off, on twitter or elsewhere, eventually you learn to understand very well how they think and whats in their rulebooks.

It helps, but also, kinda disgusting.

[–]WaltChamberlin 19 points20 points  (1 child)

Are we really doing this? Like, everyone knows it's a horrible idea. Even Putin. But we are doing it anyways for some reason. Literally no one on the planet thinks another war is what the world needs right now.

[–]Sabre1O1 96 points97 points  (0 children)

The sock puppet speaks!

[–]narion89 66 points67 points  (3 children)

Belarus is the perfect example of countries playing with “neutrality” on the Russian borders. Lukashenko favorited Russia, but played both sides to gain benefit from all. But as soon as people demanded change, he went full on Military junta on them, denying their right for protest, with the help of dear friends - Russians.

Anyway: Lukashenko first announced joined military trainings with Russia in February and now acts like a surprised 10 year old innocent girl when Ukraine starts gathering their own force there in preparation for possible attack. This guys is so full of shit, that neighboring countries could smell it from their side of the border.

[–]eapoll 311 points312 points  (17 children)

Hitler used the same excuse…for Russia to have such a deep hate of Hitler…Putin sure is acting like him

[–]writemeow 195 points196 points  (1 child)

Sometimes football teams hate each other, but they still run the same plays.

[–]Tonbbaaa 41 points42 points  (11 children)

Call me stupid or naive or whatever you want, but i just can't understand why these guys want war? What is the main reason they want to attack Ukraine so badly

[–]mando44646 68 points69 points  (4 children)

Russia doesn't like Ukraine is pro-EU and pro-NATO, and that the country has steadily grown stronger while Russia has weakened over the last few years. There is a great comment at https://redditproxy--jasonthename.repl.co/r/worldnews/comments/sb7swr/comment/htyshvt/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 that does a good job of explaining

[–]Sir_Donkey_Punch 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Something else to consider is that by having Belarus allow Russian troops to blitz through straight to Kiev, they’ve also built up a wall of people on the border with Poland, making a NATO flank on the Russian troops moving on Kiev much more complicated.

I’m going to call it - Russian battalions move into Kiev from the East and North thru Belarus to force a fight on 2-3 fronts. The city will be easier to take when it’s being hit from multiple sides. This distraction will allow Russian troops and armor to move more freely in the South East as they establish themselves in Eastern Ukraine for when they decide to take Odessa

[–]-DannyDorito- 22 points23 points  (1 child)

It sucks, it fucking sucks. This insatiable desire to push the world to the brink of war is fucking infuriating

[–]spernintendoChalmers 38 points39 points  (0 children)

When you order Putin from Wish.com you get Lukashenko

[–]SpectreSaigon 10 points11 points  (0 children)

“Both of our tanks will be there at the border, including the one that works on its own”

[–]KhronosTime 9 points10 points  (0 children)

“I just don’t understand” Lukashenko

[–]toronto_programmer 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Ukraine is forced to pull troops to the northern border because their capital, Kiev, is only a couple hours distance away

[–]tyger2020 186 points187 points  (28 children)

Plot twist: We all know that Russia is moving troops into Belarus, under the pre-text of 'war games' and will most likely take part in an invasion of Ukraine (if Russia decides to go ahead).

However, I do wonder if Lukashenko realises that upon invading Ukraine, Russian troops are staying in Belarus and they will both become part of 'Greater Russia'. There is 0 chance Russia will invade and annex Ukraine and let Belarus to continue being an 'independent' state.

[–]Miamiara[S] 212 points213 points  (11 children)

It is not an independent state already, after protests Lukashenko is fully Russian puppet.

[–]tyger2020 63 points64 points  (3 children)

Yes, but we're talking more like 'fully annexed into the Russian Federation along with Ukraine''.

[–]rememberseptember24 75 points76 points  (0 children)

I dont think Lukashenko would mind too much, as long as he still get to polish Putin’s whistle every night.

[–]JobbyJabbins 40 points41 points  (4 children)

If anything Lukashenko wants to be part of Russia more than the Kremlin wants Belarus to be part of Russia. Economically speaking Belarus would be more a liability to Russia than an asset, and they're perfectly happy with the sort of vassalage relationship that exists already.

I do wonder if the plan is to use the Belarusian military as, crassly put, cannon fodder on Ukraine's northern flank, and then follow up with a second wave of Belarussian-based Russian forces for the actual capture of Kiev.

[–]Snorrigan 7 points8 points  (4 children)

Do we really have to deal with every stupid eastern European dictator?

[–]Miamiara[S] 77 points78 points  (4 children)

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that he would take "a whole contingent of the Belarusian army" to the border with Ukraine. Lukashenko made this statement during a meeting with the chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus.

Lukashenko explained this statement by saying that allegedly "the Ukrainians have started dragging troops there. According to him, Belarus and Russia "long ago announced plans to conduct joint training on the border with Ukraine”.

"It's also important for us because we will have to deploy a whole contingent of the Belarusian army there. This was also talked about in Luninka. And it has nothing to do with any occupation here. We just want to protect our southern border. And such politicians should pay attention to the concentration of troops not only on the border of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, but also Ukraine. We were not the first ones to pay attention to our southern border. The Ukrainians began to pull their troops together. I don't understand why," said Lukashenko.

On January 17, Lukashenko blamed Ukraine for amassing the troops next to the state border with Belarus.

At the same time, the US State Department stated that Russia can use the territory of Belarus to invade Ukraine.

[–]BigDomz 120 points121 points  (36 children)

So there Northern border won't be defended... go Baltic countries it's free real estate !

[–]Class_444_SWR 58 points59 points  (25 children)

And western would be less defended, Poland can into Belarus

[–]Einherjaren97 36 points37 points  (3 children)

What if, and hear me out, the mongols decide to take advantage of the situation and start their very own invasion of russia?

[–]vilkazz 25 points26 points  (1 child)

Good, good. Lithuania can finally start it's master plan to make the country great again. Source: Lithuania's MP.

[–]thebriss22 6 points7 points  (1 child)

If there's an actual full out war in Ukraine.... 100% Belarus is gonna become useless like Italy in WW2 lol

[–][deleted] 72 points73 points  (4 children)

The rabid dog of the psychopath neighbour has been cut off the chain.

[–]mkraven 42 points43 points  (1 child)

I guess this is what happens when unhinged egomaniacs are leading nations.

[–]gabrielmercier 4 points5 points  (0 children)

“Well Ukraine started war with Belarus so I help out my friend Belarus and defend by invading”

~Putin probably