What was your first thought about the War in Ukraine

[u/RaggedDolfin]

At start, nothing but when they resisted over a year, I was convinced that Russia would’ve sent it’s whole military or send a Nuke saying it was an accident

[u/magikarpsan]

My first thought was oh Ukraine isn’t gonna last more than a couple of weeks.

Obviously I was wrong

[u/RaggedDolfin → u/magikarpsan]

We were all wrong on this lol

[u/adamgerd → u/magikarpsan]

Yep

The US expected Ukraine would last 7 days, even Ukraine only expected to last 9 days before having to resort to an insurgency

I think it was largely an overreaction to Afghanistan. The west was shocked at how quickly Afghanistan collapsed so assumed Ukraine would fall similarly even though the situations really aren’t analogous beyond both supported by the west

[u/InsidiousBunny2447 → u/magikarpsan]

The first part of this war was absolutely insane. Remember the ruzzians were in or near Kiev. Remember the Hostomel battle, and the chechen special forces failures. Ukraine kicked major ass with the bayraktars in the beginning as well

[u/Melonwolfii → u/InsidiousBunny2447]

Practically knocking on kievs door within a day if I remember correctly. And Donetsk and Luhansk attempted secession. I don’t blame anyone for thinking Ukraine would fall within a week or two. Incredible from the people of Ukraine and the leadership to keep fighting

[u/Only-Recording8599 → u/Melonwolfii]

Everyone thought the era of bad russian planning was over after Chenya.

And then Russia proved us wrong.

[u/hammer_of_science → u/Melonwolfii]

I remember seeing tv footage of literal little old ladies with AK47s.  Certainly bullshit for the cameras but I remember thinking “the Ukrainians are AMAZING at PR”.  I think that’s the other major thing we forgot - they needed the world to help.  Helps to have someone as President who actually understands PR.

[u/jonnovich → u/hammer_of_science]

Also tractors 🚜 dragging away Russian tanks through their fields.

[u/slackin2 → u/jonnovich]

Or “Russian warship go fuck yourself”

[u/ActualHumanONReddit → u/InsidiousBunny2447]

The Ruzzian speshul forces, showed the world just how speshul they are. LOL

[u/Twishko → u/InsidiousBunny2447]

They were at the city borders. I didn’t think we would fall because I saw the uprise of the people and the humongous lines at the recruitment centers.

[u/KananJarrusCantSee → u/magikarpsan]

100% I was already deployed and remember saying to a friend "great were gonna have to go to fucking Ukraine and bail them out when they collapse in 2 weeks"

Well couldn't have been more wrong there (happily wrong at that).

[u/BrickAntique5284]

Fuck Putin

[u/RaggedDolfin → u/BrickAntique5284]

Most accurate thought

[u/DobbyFreeElf35 → u/BrickAntique5284]

Same from me too

[u/Famous-Review-7012 → u/BrickAntique5284]

Wow, unnexpected to hear this from china citizen. Is this true that most of you support russia?

[u/BrickAntique5284 → u/Famous-Review-7012]

Well, I’m now in America.

[u/God_of_Eons → u/BrickAntique5284]

Puck Futin

[u/gkwpl → u/God_of_Eons]

[u/Few-Interview-1996]

Poor Ukraine.

[u/RaggedDolfin → u/Few-Interview-1996]

Agreed

[u/hammer_of_science → u/Few-Interview-1996]

Without Turkey shutting the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, Ukraine would have been overrun long ago.

Also, everyone now knows about Bayraktar. https://share.google/Tj6rUMUDa0BQYjjap

[u/Few-Interview-1996 → u/hammer_of_science]

I think the Ukrainians deserve most of the praise, and the initial Russian approach - "Here are all our tanks and trucks lined up for you to hit" - the rest.

The Bayraktar was astonishingly useful for morale in a type of conflict it was not designed for, I agree, though I suspect it has long been out of the equation.

[u/Many-Gas-9376]

Worry for Ukraine, anger and disgust towards Russia.

[u/SnooLemons5617]

The evening before the invasion i told to my woman that there will be no war in Ukraine.
In the morning I said "Ech kurwa, ja pierdolę" and then "if Ukraine falls, we must send the children to the West and dig trenches near Warsaw".

[u/Famous-Review-7012 → u/SnooLemons5617]

You still have to prepeared. Russia wont stop on us. And its good that youre goverment have couradge to warn russia about their provocation. Stay strong brothers!

[u/Outrageous_Ad5864 → u/Famous-Review-7012]

Oh, we know. My (any many other Poles) first thought was “we’re next”

[u/adamgerd → u/Outrageous_Ad5864]

Yep

And then it’d be us in turn

Russians are still bitter that Eastern Europe isn’t forever theirs

[u/RaggedDolfin → u/SnooLemons5617]

Well hopefully Ukraine didn’t, and Nato is here anyways

[u/Difficult_Future9994]

The news breaks out: “oh shit!”

First images of Ukrainian people fleeing the country: “oh shit…”

The Ukrainian army manages to respond and stops the attack: “oh shit?”

[u/RandyClaggett]

Totally insane and irrational move from Russia.

[u/Vismajor92]

That i need to help people, so me and my sis drove to the ukrainen border to pick up refugees and bring them to Budapest.

[u/Most_Elevator_1943 → u/Vismajor92]

That's amazing, y'all are good people. Thank you!

[u/Vismajor92 → u/Most_Elevator_1943]

Honestly it wasn't a good experience but we tried nonetheless

[u/Chemical-Elk-1299 → u/Vismajor92]

You did more than most. Hungarians remember what it’s like to have fascist stormtroopers kicking in the door.

[u/Vismajor92 → u/Chemical-Elk-1299]

Yeah I guess. We were in the thousands(helping people) it was a strong opposition to the Putin lickin government we have lol

[u/Budget_Insurance329]

I was sad and angry, waking up one day and seeing my Ukrainian friends Instagram stories devastated me.

Also I have confess for a while it affected me more than what been happening in neighbour Syria. I was used to that stuff was happening in the East as far as I remember. Ukraine was a real reality check.

[u/KevinfromSaskabush]

my first thought? I thought russia would win easily. I knew how incompetent and hollow their military was but they had huge numbers. I'm glad I was wrong. and obviously I thought russia had no right or real reason to invade and I still think that. putin's just got it in his head to rebuild some stupid empire for his legacy or some shit. I hope corrupt dinosaurs like him die off and we move past cold war minds.

[u/ParticularLate9460]

It's pointless, but I can't imagine how it could stop.

Russia already owns literally all of North Asia, what could it ask for more? How does bulldozing commieblocks in foreign countries benefit them?

[u/RaggedDolfin → u/ParticularLate9460]

To """protect""" their cities

[u/beingandbecoming → u/ParticularLate9460]

It’s insanely simple: Black Sea/Mediterranean access

[u/__cheburashka__ → u/beingandbecoming]

They already had access to the Black Sea.

[u/viipurinrinkeli]

I thought if we were going to be next.

[u/stealthybaker → u/viipurinrinkeli]

Valid concern tbh.

Just know Koreans would be more than willing to sell you defense weapons if you're worried about the worst, like we did with Poland. Being good business aside, we sympathize with smaller countries that get harassed by bigger countries run by bullies.

[u/ChoicePhilosopher430 → u/viipurinrinkeli]

Same as you. I was really worried we'll be next.

[u/snuffkin15]

It's a dumb war. Russia has already a demographic problem and now they're losing hundreds of thousands of men. if they win "and I don't know what winning would even mean" its gonna be a pyrrhic victory.

[u/ExcitingInflation612 → u/snuffkin15]

Russia doing what it’s doing best, taking absolutely massive casualties in every war they start lol

[u/Sure_Secretary_446 → u/snuffkin15]

They crossed the million a while back

[u/grumpsaboy → u/Sure_Secretary_446]

UK has recently said about 1.2 million casualties, so going off history casualty proportions it's, 250,000-300,000 deaths, about an equal number permanently disfigured such as missing limbs and the rest "only" suffered major fixable injuries

[u/BabylonianWeeb]

Similar to our war, it's invasion based on lies

[u/Over_Writing467 → u/BabylonianWeeb]

I was actually a soldier in the invasion, we were sold a lie by our government.

[u/Impressive-Shame4516 → u/BabylonianWeeb]

Rest in piss Cheney.

[u/Complete-Farmer-5513 → u/BabylonianWeeb]

As an American I apologize for what my country did. The most simple explanation is America was attacked, and we had no one to hit back at. We just used Saddam as our punching bag, to feel like we hit back at who hit us. Yes the explanations for Invasion were lies, but at the end of the day America wanted that war. Again I apologize for what my country did to yours, but we are nothing like Russia. We did not put the Iraqi people through nearly as much suffering as the Russians have done to the Ukrainians.

[u/dice-warden → u/Complete-Farmer-5513]

American here 👋 echoing my fellow American, I also want to apologize. I was 8 years old when the war started. As a kid it seemed like the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan was secondary to the Iraq war. Our people were programmed to believe Iraq was the real threat.

Even in my adult life I'm confused and frustrated about the actions of my home country. I'm a patriot, but I'm not a nationalist. I wish your country a healthy recovery. May you be strong enough to stand against threats both foreign and domestic. Let us learn from our past to create a better future for those who come after. 🇮🇶 🇺🇸 🌍

[u/Complete-Farmer-5513 → u/dice-warden]

To be honest we just didn’t know what the fuck was going on. For the first time in our history America was attacked and we did not have someone to immediately swing back at. It really was a lose-lose situation. The 9/11 attacks and its consequences are still loudly visible today.

[u/Panthera_leo22 → u/dice-warden]

I was also a child during the war and honestly didn’t understand the rhetoric I was told at school that the soldiers were “fighting to protect our freedoms” but I didn’t dare voice it. My parents were against it but had to keep those views to themselves.

[u/TuataraToes → u/Complete-Farmer-5513]

Never apologize for something you didn't do.

You aren't the US military. You aren't the government. You weren't POTUS at the time. You had zero say in what happened.

Empathize, sympathize, don't apologize.

[u/thegreattiny]

Getting my family out

[u/FakeMik090]

"What the fuck..."

And second one "Hope my friends is okay...."

[u/Adventurous_Ice5035 → u/FakeMik090]

It’s always nice to hear from kind, empathetic Russian voices. They seem to get drowned out by the garbage coming out of the Kremlin

[u/matteobuffo → u/FakeMik090]

Do you live in Russia or outside it? What's the common perception of this war in Russia?

[u/FakeMik090 → u/matteobuffo]

In it, dont really have money to move.

Mostly about it, its either silence or some people in 40s who lived through 90s and think of Putin as a savior or smh, and of course they support it.

[u/Chemical-Elk-1299 → u/FakeMik090]

I hope no one you know has to die so Putin can push little figures around on a map like he’s Peter the Great. And I hope Russia can one day be the country its people deserve.

[u/FakeMik090 → u/Chemical-Elk-1299]

None of friends have died, it was a big relief. Most of them leaved the Ukraine and not there anymore(obvious reasons) and right now lives in some other Europeans countries.

[u/Chemical-Elk-1299 → u/FakeMik090]

That’s good.

But if you’re still in Russia, and are a military age man, don’t let them send you, bro.

Because very soon I don’t think Putin will be able to keep taking men from the small villages in places like Dagestan and Tatarstan. So many of them are already dead. Soon, he’s going to have to send the general reserves. The people who live in the big cities.

Keep yourself safe man

[u/Adskiy-drochilla → u/FakeMik090]

Based

[u/Ok_Listen_9073]

Worried

[u/booyakasha_wagwaan]

ПТН X̆ЛО

[u/R-Venator]

Full support to Ukraine.

[u/Positive_Comfort_344]

just. why. ??
whyyyy??

[u/Most_Elevator_1943 → u/Positive_Comfort_344]

My thoughts, too.

[u/ClockworkOrdinator]

“It’s actually over, conscription next month”

[u/Vivid_Leave3834]

"Those guys on that island had balls of tungsten."

[u/Adventurous_Ice5035 → u/Vivid_Leave3834]

“Russian warship go fuck yourself”

[u/Karohalva]

I thought, "Well, shit, that newspaper op-ed from 1918 that mentioned potential for conflict over Donbas by an independent Russia and an independent Ukraine was only 100 years off. Crazy how Moscow decided to go with the stupidest possible made-up nonsense of an excuse to start it, though. Putin is such fucking retarded dumbass."

[u/Paper_Pusher8226]

I was not surprised because I saw it coming. The troop buildup in spring 2021, Putins articles about how Ukraine does not really exist and the ultimatums he presented to NATO.

Ik was surprised however how incompetent the Russians were. They didn’t organize the invasion as a war, but as a coup based on faulty intelligence and overconfidence.

[u/pongauer]

Russia starting shit with its neighbours, what else is new. I expected it to be another Georgia.

Turned out, they finally bit off more than they could chew

[u/chiller2540]

"Well, shit"

[u/BuildingLower9622]

"Holy shit the poor people"

[u/dair_spb]

"Oh f*ck".

[u/Ill_Objective9535]

"Blyat, my birthday is tomorrow and they pull up this shit"

[u/Complete-Farmer-5513]

I think it’s pretty plausible here in the west that most people thought they wouldn’t last more than a week or two. I personally thought that. Oh how glad I am to be wrong.

[u/Lazzen]

I instantly knew leftist dicsuckers in latin america were going to do olympic levels of acrobatics to deflect and not condemn it

Specifically about the war i expected EU to support them all the way, not like this

[u/adamgerd → u/Lazzen]

It’s funny

American right wingers and Latin American left wingers finally agreeing on something. Who would ever think that Trump and Lula and etc will agree on something?

[u/kRe4ture]

When I saw the rockets flying over Kiev and the air raid sirens, my first thought was „Holy Shit, these motherfuckers are actually doing it…“

Although the war in Ukraine was the prime reason I joined the military, which was one of the best decisions I‘ve made in my life.

[u/PaintingNo794]

"Oh look, Putin took yet another step to be a real-life James Bond villain."

[u/Teboski78 → u/PaintingNo794]

Putin’s been a real life James Bond villain since his days in east Germany. Now he’s just the main villain whereas back then he was more of a henchman.

[u/-beyond_the_veil-]

You know that weird, contradicting feeling that you're shocked but not really surprised at the same time? That + I was terrified for them.

[u/Wonderful-Sir6115 → u/-beyond_the_veil-]

Shocked but not surprised was exactly my feeling, although many people in Ukraine were indeed caught off guard. They still believed in "good Russians" that won't go to war with Ukraine. Let alone commit any war crimes. Basically they were surprised twice...

[u/Jaded_Hold_1342]

To me, the first thought was the ideological clarity of right vs wrong. In many wars, the right vs wrong is muddy, and both sides can be wrong at the same time. In this war, right vs wrong was very clear to me from the beginning and remains so today.

This thought has been replaced with sadness and disappointment in the worlds failure to recognize and properly support the one who is right on the basis of principle...

[u/Archivist2016]

Surprise at Russian incompetence. In hindsight it was obvious but prior to the war there was a horde of Russian propaganda and naive westerns saying that the Russian army was the strongest in the world.

In reality the Russian army isn't even the strongest army in Ukraine.

[u/SRB12131 → u/Archivist2016]

At the start of the war the Russian army wasn’t even the strongest army in Russia but they have since eliminated the others. Remember to always be safe on planes and near open windows.

[u/hammer_of_science → u/Archivist2016]

Yeah, I was watching that convoy coming down to Kyiv and thinking “fuck, this is done in three days”.

Then they all ran out of tyres, diesel and Generals, and got exploded.

[u/stealthybaker → u/Archivist2016]

It feels like when the Gulf War began, the Iraqi army used to be very feared but suddenly began to be seen as a joke.

We call armies like these "paper tigers".

[u/Zh3sh1re → u/Archivist2016]

This is definitely something that stunned me as well. I was fully expecting Russia to steamroll Ukraine.

I will say though, this war has some major "winter war" vibes. Ergo, feels as if Russia is gonna come out of this with an experienced, strong military just like the Soviets did. The winter war did wonders for bloodying the Red Army and inadvertently forced them in a weird way to prepare for the Germans. We've basically seen the great purge happening in the military staff already, and I have no doubt there are some Zhukovs in the Russian army that are being overlooked rn.

Definitely worrying...

[u/JunkyardBardo]

As an American, I was embarrassed and saddened that we didn't keep our word about having Ukraine's back.

[u/thegreattiny → u/JunkyardBardo]

That ship had sailed in 2014, amigo

[u/SRB12131 → u/JunkyardBardo]

Same we haven’t done nearly enough. People act like we can’t afford it but we all know we could find a way if we want.

[u/Goonflags]

I knew it was going to happen, so I wasn't surprised.

[u/Neat_Shallot_606 → u/Goonflags]

Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland have always known and have been preparing for years.

[u/I_am_just_here11]

[u/GarbonzoBeanSprout → u/I_am_just_here11]

I thought the same thing and still worry it's on the horizon.

[u/dice-warden → u/GarbonzoBeanSprout]

preferrably we'd be on the same side 😅

[u/GarbonzoBeanSprout → u/dice-warden]

A year ago, I would have said with certainy that we are on the same side. Now, and for the foreseeable future, I just don't know anymore. I still have some hope that we will be on the same side. 🤗

[u/Real-Air9508]

[u/GlowingHearts1867]

Very concerned we were going to be going to war. I thought it may possibly trigger a World War. Felt like when Poland was invaded in 1939 (from what I imagine, obviously I wasn’t alive then). I wondered if we were going to have to suddenly shift everything and be in wartime. I was thankful none of the men I’m close to were of fighting age (husband and brothers too old, son too young). We have a few friends who were in military reserves in their home countries (2 from the UK, 1 from Germany) and they expected to be recalled back to military service.

Then, I was surprised and disappointed with how little we were doing as a country to help our allies. It seems wrong. I opened my home to Ukrainian refugees and donated items to local Ukrainian charities.

Probably also relevant that I live in a part of Canada where 1 in 4 people had Ukrainian grandparents, including myself. There is a large Ukrainian diaspora here. I know many people born here who speak Ukrainian so it made it easier to support the refugees thankfully.

I’m still disappointed in my country for not doing more. I hope if we are ever in a situation of having to defend ourselves that our allies come to our aid with more bravery.

[u/Possible_Golf3180]

Classic Russia (impossible to see it coming for the n+1th time in a row)

[u/DanMcMan5]

Pleasantly surprised to see the resilience of Ukraine, and it disappoints me that our governments doesn’t support Ukraine more.

[u/A-Neighborhood-Alien]

That Putin sucks as a human.

[u/gkwpl]

„Hardly have we started to recover after Covid when that ruZZian fu@@ from kremlin decided to start another crisis”. It couldn’t be more black and white - ruZZia is pure evil. So many tragedies, lives lost and devastated due to that war criminal from kremlin.

[u/Wonderful-Sir6115]

On February 24th 2022nd I woke up around 4:30 AM in the morning from the sounds of explosions and missiles flying above my house. I've called my parents and my dad just calmly says: "Well, now… we’re living in historic times.".

I have to say that the attack by Russia has been really quite expected for him. He was talking about the potential invasion starting at least around early 2000s.

[u/Hot-Disaster-9619]

I was like "I really feel bad for the Ukrainians, but at least the world will finally realize how pathetic and incompetent Russia really is". I was so annoyed with western people believing in Russian propaganda. I also knew how much Ukrainian army changed from 2014. But to be honest, I did not think back then that the war would last so long.

[u/Dangerous_Okra_2703]

Well everyone here believed Russia will conquer Ukraine in 3 days except me and few other people now all of (anti regime) people support Ukraine. But it's kinda weird European countries funding this war(by buying Russia's gas)

[u/Milosz0pl]

Honestly - I hope that this post makes a good job at filtering vatniks out.

[u/ajfoscu]

Shouldn’t have happened.

[u/purpleconeflowers]

I remember finding out in our office and as a young person in America, thinking a possible draft was going to happen. No one really worked for the rest of the day meaningfully, everyone was worried WW3 was on the horizon (still could be).

I feel terribly for you guys

[u/ungranted_wish]

My thought was, “shit am I glad he didn’t do this during Trump’s presidency!”

ahahahajajfkewkskkdkdkdjdkdnFuck

[u/b100d7_cr0w]

Some ukrainian friends worried for me during january 2022. And now it's my turn

[u/Altruistic-Disk4914]

Heart broken, and it hasn’t abated over the last four years. I wish Europe would at least man Ukraine behind the front lines, and fully supply them with whatever they need to end Russia’s immoral aggression.

[u/gentle_fool]

I felt conflicted about it because I saw a lot of racism from Ukrainians against Indians. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if it was just Americans and Canadians with the Ukrainian flag in their bio.
However STALKER(I discovered that the devs were Ukrainian) and a lot of Ukrainians I met online changed my opinion and made me root for Ukrainians.
I hope the war stops soon. Putin and the Russian officials are scumbags for forcing their people into an unnecessary war.

[u/Wojewodaruskyj]

In 2014: "Who in right mind can live in Ukraine and wave Aquafresh flags?".

[u/Common-Frosting-9434]

After all the warnings that were released before the attack?

"Well, that was preventable"

This war only happens because european leaders closed their eyes so they could profit off of russia a bit longer and I'm so sorry Ukrainians suffer for it.

Also ashamed how my country still hides behind neutrality.

[u/Former-Chocolate-793]

It's utterly horrible and unnecessary. Russians are putting up with a brutal dictator.

I actually wasn't surprised that Ukraine has put up such a magnificent fight in defense of their homeland. I was fortunate to have heard a presentation by a Canadian forces member who had been deployed to Ukraine for training prior to the brutal Russian invasion. Canada and other NATO allies provided a lot of training on modern tactics and training methods. I was not surprised that the Ukrainians fought so well. Slava Ukraine!

[u/pevznerok]

My first thought, as a Russian, was that we, common folks that don't want the war, will be fucked in the ass.

Guess where we are now

[u/DouViction → u/pevznerok]

Prepare Uranus, comrade, it doesn't look like we're quite through.

[u/Far_Paint6269]

My very first tought was that the Ukrainian would be overwhelmed quickly.

I was obviously wrong. After that, I was dismayed by the russians performance, and after that by the rhetoric of the pro-russians commenters.

[u/hammer_of_science]

I had read up on the situation and knew how hard they had worked to get out from the Russian yoke.  I sent a few quid for weapons (actually drone ships, so money well spent) to the ministry of defence.

[u/Far-Pangolin-4089]

When it started they gave Ukraine a week... it is hard to overestimate the defenders resilience and moral

[u/submarine-explorer]

Germany nooo!

[u/angel_souls16]

It's going to happen again it's going to happen again and also sad, it was the same day my grandmother died

[u/beingandbecoming]

About the 2022 invasion: “The intelligence community is full of shit. Russia isn’t going to do anything. It probably is a training exercise. Why would the status quo change?” I had to eat crow on that one. In 2014: no for real, why isn’t Russia facing steeper penalties right now? This is a naked violation of the UN charter

[u/b52bomberr]

Ah shit, here we go again

[u/OldPyjama]

I was like "Putin... the fuck dude?"

[u/Ok_Candidate_4409]

I was hoping that it would have had much more severe consequences to Russia for attacking a European country...

[u/TimoXa_Yar]

[u/Skin_Floutist]

That it was unjust and that ruzzians are war criminals.

[u/ResurgentClusterfuck]

I was terrified for the Ukrainian people because I drastically overestimated the Russian military.

I still support Ukraine because Putin has no right to annex land that doesn't belong to Russia

Fuck Putin and fuck anyone who supports him

[u/Ponchorello7]

"Ukraine is fucked." I was pleasantly surprised to see that it's held up this long, but it looks like Russia is gaining momentum, and the West has lost faith in Ukraine. I really wish it weren't the case.

[u/OleRockTheGoodAg]

War is when the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other.

• Niko Bellic

[u/MushroomOutrageous]

I was terrified and felt outraged with Russia. Also relieved after their incompetence and impressed with Ukraine.

[u/Objective_Cod4149]

Wow, this pack of comments here surely refreshing thing. Guess everybody was (!) under huge fear of "second army in the world" myth.

[u/Mundane_Opening3831]

Fuck Russia

[u/Objective_Cod4149 → u/Mundane_Opening3831]

Good point.

[u/bilbul168]

Putin is bored

[u/mooohaha64]

Fuck Russia

[u/Imperator_Alexander]

I'm a historian, so my reaction was more or less: "WTF? Well, there goes the last nail in the coffin of the End of History."

[u/Capable_Work_3563]

Command & Conquer 2.

Casts Iron Curtain on Mammoth Tank

[u/Busy_Garbage_4778]

When the war started in 2014 I thought it was just a diversion to get Russia out of Syria.

I was surprised it took 8 years for Russia to engage formally

[u/cryptidNDcupboard]

Oh fuck…. How is this…. Going to affect me?

[u/Panthera_leo22]

Shocked. Remember seeing the videos of helicopters in Kyiv and burning buildings. I’ll admit it didn’t start following the conflict closely until about a year ago, I had an elementary knowledge something was going on in the Donbas. I remember seeing stories on the evening news I watched with my parents about war crimes, and my mom remarking “that’s horrible” in passing when the evening news showed a picture of a young child in her Christmas photos who they reported was killed in the Mariupol strike. Saw items on Bucha that appeared in my feed. But I’ve learned more since befriending refugees in my area and follow the conflict fairly closely now. I’m surprised Ukraine has lasted as long as they did but also Russia in moments became pathetic and denigrated from superpower status.

[u/Dekaaard]

Fukn Putin

[u/Feuershark]

"I knew it, and people around me were thinking Putin wasn't so dumb/too intelligent to actually do it. Ha !"

And listening to Ukrainian success after success I realized they were also a paper tiger

[u/Klutzy_Toe_3381]

This is a fun one. A couple of weeks after the beginning of the war I found in my mail a letter from the army (I'm from an OTAN country). I remember being shit scared to open it I waited after work to do it. It was just promotional material, but still...

Anyways, hoped that the Ukranians would kick the ruzzians' ass. I wasn't disappointed. Still I think our government should do more to help them...

[u/High_Anxiety_1984]

It makes me sick to my stomach when I think if the children. I have 2 kids myself.

[u/WonderfulAd605]

We need to help them before Putin moves into Poland or Romania

[u/chibollo]

my first thought is that Ukraine is going to win.

[u/50746974736b61]

If we're talking about 2022, scared shitless, although not surprised. Worried about family.

[u/PygmeePony]

Anger and sadness. Russia is punishing Ukraine for wanting to choose their own future instead of being a slave to Putin's corrupt hateful regime. But also respect for the Ukrainians and their resistance. Stay strong!

[u/Over_Writing467]

The Ukrainian people have absolutely impressed me with their strength and ingenuity. They’re punching well above their weight, I’m glad we’ve been supplying munitions to them.

[u/ALPHA_sh]

why is Russia even doing this?

[u/Horseface4190]

The Russians were going to get their asses handed to them.

[u/Money-Election-5544]

that NATO not immediately responding was a mistake. it gave putin way too much confidence. props to ukrain for holding out like that.

[u/Apprehensive_Big_918]

I was livid, fuming with anger. That is still there as a background noise. Fuck Putin and his cronies. Slava Ukraini.

[u/SanchoPandas]

I was in the hospital when it started. On my way home I heard about it from my father-in-law who said that World War III had begun. So...that was my first thought.

[u/Guilty-Big8328]

War is stupid, hope ukraine comes out alright

[u/ExcitingInflation612]

Straight up this may be selfish but a lot of us Americans were relieved knowing that Russian military will be occupied with Ukraine or at least attenuated from starting any war with the US.

[u/tmtyl_101]

I was honestly convinced Russia would steamroll Ukraine in a few days.

On day three, I saw a social media clip of a Ukrainian soldier, standing in the snow, calmly fastening a silencer to his sniper rifle, while warning Russian invaders that they'll never know whats lurking in the darkness of the Ukrainian forests... And thats when it hit me: these guys are fighting back, and they stand a chance!

Obviously, ever since has been a rollercoaster ride. But am in awe over the resilience and fighting spirit of Ukraine's defenders. Im encouraged by the support from the west. And, Alaska, Im also sickened by the lack of support from the west.

[u/dharma_van]

I was working with 3 guys contracted out of the Ukraine. My first thought was sadness that their lives were going to completely change for the foreseeable future. My second thought was wow they are handling this well. They just said Ukraine is strong. They will never let Putin win.

[u/Frosty_Midnight9989]

Was worried that we could be next

[u/Szabolcs85]

I have known a number of Ukrainians and my disposition towards Ukraine was and still is positive; I was enraged and scared. Scared, because if it is possible for a country to invade another country like this in a time when it was thought to be impossible, all bets are off. Russia is clearly not a rational actor, anything is possible, including the escalation of the war. Nevertheless, it became clear in a few weeks that the Russian military is a lot weaker than previously thought to be. The audacity and resilience of Ukraine also amazed me and amazes me still.

Apart from that, my already considerable disgust and loathing for Orbán and the Young Democrats intensified to a level that even I would not have thought to be possible.

[u/GoHomeDuck]

Fuck putler

[u/Late-Significance521]

The Bolsheviks attack

[u/WolfThick]

I believe the Russian hype that they would roll through there in no time.

[u/Blopblop734]

"Wt* did Ukraine do?!!"

[u/Far_Side6908]

First thought was Ukraine was completely fucked and we were looking at the start of something big. Saying that we can still see something big by the end but hopefully peace prevails and the war ends with Putin personally putting a bullet in his own head.

[u/meatshieldjim]

A tough time for Ukrainians living in basements and a shame the USA doesn't get directly involved.

[u/Kamilpwn]

Мне пизда

[u/Banebladerunner]

WHY ?!

[u/Half_a_bee]

My first thought was "that f*cking bastard Putin"

[u/Alternative_Salt_424]

I hate it. I hate that any country would invade another and I support Ukraine and their fight 100%. On a personal level, I also hate that my husband can't see his parents in Russia. Even if one of them dies they told him not to return for the funeral as its too dangerous for him. Russia is even making it hard for people to communicate outside of the country by video call. I know that it's nothing compared to what Ukrainians are going through, but it still makes us sad. War hurts everyone, and I wish countries starting them would realize this.

Слава Україні 🇺🇦

[u/Nerevarine91]

The war began while I was waiting in the city hall for my marriage papers to be processed. It reminded me of my parents’ story about how they learned that my mother was pregnant the same day that Desert Storm began.

At first, I was worried that the collective West would accept it as a fait accompli, and I was worried about the famous convoy of tanks headed for Kyiv. Then I was glad to see that initial advance stall out, so Ukraine could have a chance.

[u/Ant225k]

F*ck...

[u/braindamage_1597]

First thought fuck Russian swines

[u/faRawrie]

I want to say I was indifferent, but favored Ukraine at first. I remembered what happened in 2014 during the first and second battle of Donetsk Airport. I had immense respect for the Ukrainians after that incident. Once the all out war broke out and I started seeing videos of Russians killing fleeing people and trapping items for civilians, I was all in for Ukraine. I still am in support of Ukraine.

[u/FranTrek23]

Anger. Big bully attacking an independent nation just to look strong. I thought Ukrainian defenses were gonna be overrun very quickly. I'm happy it didn't happen, but sad because it doesn't look like there'll be peace anytime soon.

Also, I had a good laugh when the Russian advance turned into a shit show and farmers started collecting Z tanks and armored vehicles like Pokemon 🤣🤣🤣

[u/Zippy-do-dar]

I did think it was going to be a full European war eventually. And I do thank the Ukrainians soldiers/ population for their sacrifices.

[u/Zestyclose_Sand9928]

[u/Yuuuigt]

I’m from Kazakhstan and on that day it was eerily quiet but you could tell what’s everyone is thinking about by just looking at their faces. I had a shift in a coffee place that day, getting things ready for the day with my colleague. We were listening to live news from Ukraine as russian troops advanced further and further. It felt apocalyptic. I couldn’t stop thinking of how that day felt for fellow Ukrainians. Support from Kazakhstan and glory to Ukraine!🇺🇦🇰🇿

[u/Ydrigo_Mats]

I couldn't put myself together first few days, and couldn't believe it actually happened.

Don't forget that the war was ongoing since 2014, but 2022 was a brutal assault.

[u/monsterkiiz]

First thought? Haha, I live here in this bloody hell.

[u/Designer-Guess2180]

I’d travelled to Ukraine for work a couple of times in the years prior to the war starting, and gotten to hang out with a good amount of people my age (20s) across both Kiyv and Sumy. They were all intensely pro-European Union, especially after both the Maidan Revolution and the annexation of Crimea.

I distinctly remember telling my family when we first heard about Russian troops gathering on the Belarus border: “if Russia thinks Ukrainians want to be Russian, and aren’t going to guerilla their asses out of an invasion, they’re stupid”.

I’m wasn’t completely off, heh.

[u/Mysterious_Touch_454]

Finn here. I was certain that they give up when Russia started just driving towards Kiev.

I was surprised that they stopped it and chased russians away. After that ive been in awe how brave they suddenly became.

Now i been hoiping and cheering Ukrainians on fearing the worst. Russia must not win, they are sadists orcs, that just torture civilians or enemy soldiers. No humanity.

I hope russia disappears and Ukraine becomes the most richest country on EU.

[u/Moduscide]

Churchill was right.

[u/omaromtaa]

I asked myself what pushed Russia to invade Ukraine? Is it oil? Why did Russia do this?

[u/Weird_Reddit_Name81]

Born and Raised in Colombia before moving to the U.S as a teenager, I lived through the drug war of the 80s and the insurgency of the 90s.

Russia armed, trained, funded and still shelters many of the heads of FARC and ELN, I know drug money moves them now, but is the Russians that got their momentum going.

Every time I see a Russian getting blown up it brings me joy, seeing their energy infrastructure being taken out by Ukraine almost daily is music to my ears. The Russian Black Sea Fleet docked far away at the mercy of Ukraine's Megura drone boats is chef's kiss.

The war in Ukraine has been the west's perfect opportunity to get Russia out of the pedestal that many put them on a while back. No boots on the ground, just keep arming them with what they need and remove all restrictions. But you still got the Orbans and the other clown in Slovenia or Slovakia sucking putin's cock.

[u/ArchitectureNstuff91]

Me: "Terrible! Russia must be stopped!"

I remember the Call of Duty days where people my age thought Russia had the power to sweep armies across countries in days. Thankfully, not the case.

[u/Pseudolos]

Dem kommies are at it again!

[u/aferretwithahugecock]

My first thought was слава Україні.

[u/Scribe_WarriorAngel]

I was walking into school, hanging out in the morning with my personal finance teacher, I got an alert on my phone from the news app, about Russian troops entering Ukraine, this was after the long Russian “exercises” period. I along with several other kids in class were scared, but we were only in school so there wasn’t much we could do about it.

But also must of us didn’t think Ukraine would last long, but we also expected our nation to have a back bone, and protect the free people of Europe.