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[King Zultan]

Surprised it took so long for Russia to decide to blow up the power plant and blame it on the Ukraine, not sure why they're saying it out loud.

[Strongpoint]

Surprised it took so long for Russia to decide to blow up the power plant and blame it on the Ukraine, not sure why they're saying it out loud.

I really-really doubt that they will actually blow up* the station and cause a planetary-level ecological catastrophe. But damaging it enough to force a complete shutdown and Fukushima-level disaster with minor local contamination - why not? Resulting panic alone (and Ukrainians have a quite high level of radiation phobia) is a great tactical result.


*Should Ukraine get a successful counter-offensive and approach the station... it will become far more likely.

[EuchreJack]

I've already commented a bit on the Junior Reporter thread, but I'll put together my overall theory at this time in this thread:

Russia wants to keep the Zaporizhzhia plant intact.  They intend to cut the power currently being supplied to Ukraine and divert it to parts of the country they control (and probably divert some back to Russia itself). Russia also intends to keep using the plant as a base from which they can attack Ukraine without counterattack.
This creates an area that Russia can keep regardless of the outcome of the war in other areas.

[Great Order]

I've already commented a bit on the Junior Reporter thread, but I'll put together my overall theory at this time in this thread:

Russia wants to keep the Zaporizhzhia plant intact.  They intend to cut the power currently being supplied to Ukraine and divert it to parts of the country they control (and probably divert some back to Russia itself). Russia also intends to keep using the plant as a base from which they can attack Ukraine without counterattack.
This creates an area that Russia can keep regardless of the outcome of the war in other areas.

That only works if Ukraine can't cut them off from supplies. If the plant's surrounded they'll be left with airdropping them in instead, and makes reinforcements pretty damn difficult to get in so Ukraine can just bleed them white instead.

[EuchreJack]

I've already commented a bit on the Junior Reporter thread, but I'll put together my overall theory at this time in this thread:

Russia wants to keep the Zaporizhzhia plant intact.  They intend to cut the power currently being supplied to Ukraine and divert it to parts of the country they control (and probably divert some back to Russia itself). Russia also intends to keep using the plant as a base from which they can attack Ukraine without counterattack.
This creates an area that Russia can keep regardless of the outcome of the war in other areas.

That only works if Ukraine can't cut them off from supplies. If the plant's surrounded they'll be left with airdropping them in instead, and makes reinforcements pretty damn difficult to get in so Ukraine can just bleed them white instead.

Then the Russians claim that the plant will explode if they are unable to bring supplies to the plant.  By which they mean, let them ferry military reinforcements from Russia through the plant, or they'll trigger a meltdown.

[Great Order]

True. Makes me wonder if there'd be a game of chicken then, or if Ukraine would just attempt to storm it. If the former I'd not put it past Russia to let it meltdown, if the latter we'd expect heavy casualties.

Or maybe Ukraine would say "Sure, so long as we can look at the supplies first" followed by Russia inevitably saying "No because you'll [insert bollocks reasoning not to let them see the food/ammo/fuel/personnel]"

[EuchreJack]

If the only part of Ukraine still in Russia's hands was Zaporizhzhia, then Ukraine would take the plant by force.

EDIT: Man I'm stupid. The reason this is an issue is because Russia doesn't actually control the area around Zaporizhzhia anymore.
HOWEVER, there appears to be a sea route to Zaporizhzhia.  So basically, if this wasn't a super-careful nuclear plant, it would already be in Ukraine's hands.
At least according to the maps that I'm looking at.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682
https://liveuamap.com/

EDIT2: Essentially, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is an island of Russian control in the middle of Ukraine's territory, and the Russians are using it to attack the Ukrainians essentially from behind their lines.  Russia's making it clear they won't be surrendering the plant, and that Russia could trigger a meltdown if they are deprived of the plant.

[nenjin]

Sounds like the setup for a late 90s American action movie.

[EuchreJack]

Sounds like the setup for a late 90s American action movie.

Unfortunately, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chuck Norris are too old.

[Strongpoint]

EDIT2: Essentially, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is an island of Russian control in the middle of Ukraine's territory, and the Russians are using it to attack the Ukrainians essentially from behind their lines.

Ehm? No. You are very mistaken. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is located near Enerhodar, on the Russian-controlled side of the Dnipro river. They use it to lob shells across the river...

It is called Zaporizhia nuclear plant not because it is located in (near) the city of Zaporizhzhia (which had seen no Russian coming close) but because it is located in the region with the same name.

[EuchreJack]

EDIT2: Essentially, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is an island of Russian control in the middle of Ukraine's territory, and the Russians are using it to attack the Ukrainians essentially from behind their lines.

Ehm? No. You are very mistaken. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is located near Enerhodar, on the Russian-controlled side of the Dnipro river. They use it to lob shells across the river...

It is called Zaporizhia nuclear plant not because it is located in (near) the city of Zaporizhzhia (which had seen no Russian coming close) but because it is located in the region with the same name.

Oops, sorry. Back to the possibly-accurate maps I guess.

Edit: I'm no military strategist, but I see zero tactical reason for Ukraine to shell anywhere near the Plant.

[King Zultan]

Seems like using the power plant as a base is the smartest thing Russia has done this entire war.

[Grim Portent]

Edit: I'm no military strategist, but I see zero tactical reason for Ukraine to shell anywhere near the Plant.

Counter-shelling comes to mind. If the Russians have artillery stationed in the area then destroying that artillery necessitates firing near the plant. Leaving the artillery standing is not practical in the event of trying to retake the area, or even just if the Russians can shell somewhere important from it.

[Strongpoint]

The daughter of a close ally to Russia's President Vladimir Putin has reportedly been killed near Moscow.

According to state media, Darya Dugina died after her car exploded in flames while she was driving home.

It is thought that her father, the Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin who is known as "Putin's brain," may have been the intended target of the attack.

Mr Dugin is a prominent ultra-nationalist ideologue who is believed to be close to the Russian president.

According to Russian media outlet 112, the pair were due to travel back from an event on Saturday evening in the same car before Mr Dugin made the decision to travel separately from his daughter at the last minute.

I am curious what happened there

Option 1) Spiders started eating each other in expectation of drastic changes in Russia
Option 2) My dream of Ukrainian Massad tasked with executing criminals became a reality

In any case, I am very happy to see this daughter of a genocidal fascist (as fascist as her father) getting a tiny bit of karma. And I want MORE. I want to see those Russian "philosophers", "journalists", "diplomats", "artists" living in fear. Crimes against humanity should not remain unpunished (and there no court that will ever get them)

[brewer bob]

Just a pity that the fascist Dugin didn't blow up with the car.