Ukraine War Upd. EXTRA: Akhmat Forces, RU Training, & Moral Calculus
Table of Contents 📖
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"If there's a clear moral value system that works, then everyone would believe it. But there isn't. All moral value systems are imperfect, right?"
Hello Team!
Jonathan has spent a lot of time adjusting audio settings on his new laptop to improve sound quality. He requests feedback from viewers on whether the audio is less tinny in this video compared to previous ones today.
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Chechnya's Akhmat Battalions
According to a thread by Chris O. Wiki, Chechnya's Akhmat battalions are undermined by:
- Lack of equipment and training
- Low morale
- Tensions between Chechen and non-Chechen members (who comprise the majority)
Originally meant to be staffed only by ethnic Chechens, in practice the battalions have very few Chechens. Non-Chechens report being treated badly by Chechens. Chechen members stay behind the front lines while non-Chechens are sent to fight. The battalions provide minimal equipment to members who have to buy or barter for gear. Many refuse orders or flee positions due to poor motivation.
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Russian Training Grounds
Tataragami examines satellite imagery of Russian training grounds in Rostov and Volgograd Oblasts. The camps are heavily used with hundreds of armored and unarmored vehicles present. Tented camps house incoming recruits being prepared for the war. While facing challenges, the Russians still maintain a considerable number of tanks in operational condition. Statements that they are almost depleted of equipment are inaccurate according to Tataragami. However, some equipment is outdated like T-54/55 tanks being used for indirect fire.
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Disinformation and Hybrid Warfare
The account of pro-Russian Serbian Twitter user "Zoka" with 176K followers was temporarily deactivated after being called out by @PepeKalionemi's "Vatnik Soup" for spreading disinformation. Zoka had falsely claimed Ukraine requested HIV and hepatitis infected blood from NATO. Getting influential disinformation spreaders like Zoka off Twitter is positive, even if not permanent. It's about stopping harmful disinfo, not censorship.
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Moral Philosophy and the War
Jonathan believes there is no objective moral value system that always works. Common systems like virtue ethics, deontology, and consequentialism all have flaws and break down in certain contexts. Consequentialism, which justifies "lesser evils" for the "greater good", is often used regarding the war. For example, is it right for Ukraine to support far-right Russian volunteer units fighting Russia, despite their ideology, because it serves the greater good of Ukraine's defense? Another dilemma is whether Ukraine launching drones at Moscow, possibly endangering civilians, is justified to give Russians a taste of what Ukrainians experience and turn public opinion against the war. The efficacy of such a tactic is questionable though.
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Wrap up
Jonathan has to prepare for a podcast recording with the US Transhumanist Party. He thanks viewers for their support and encourages them to like, subscribe, share and hit the notification bell. He will be back with another video tomorrow.
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