Shot in the Dark

One way Ukraine matters

As much as the climate panic crowd wants desperately to believe in the dream that we can glue solar panels to the roof of our vehicle, nail a 3-inch diameter battery-operated fan on the back bumper, do away with all fossil fuels and still toodle down the road at 70 mph and heat our homes with a windmill in the back yard and notice no economic impact, the world runs on petroleum products. Without them, we’re living in the Little House on the Prairie.

With 41% of their gas imports coming from Russia, Europe knows full well how dependent they are Russia. Go figure but they like staying warm in the winter. (And yet, with eyes wide open Germany still embarked on ending their nuclear program. Pro Tip: Never let leftists run your country) They are in a bind when it comes to imposing meaningful sanctions on Russia imports, and everyone knows it.

A significant portion of that gas transits through Ukraine. Though the percentage has dropped over time, according to Statista at least a third of Russian imports comes through Ukraine.


Courtesy of theodora.com, here’s a map of major petroleum routes from Russia to Europe. (And from the same source, here’s a detailed table of those routes.) Green are oil routes, red are gas routes.



There have been disruptions before in the last 15 years or so to gas imports passing through Ukraine as Putin rattled the cages just to let folks know he held the spigot. Europeans are acutely aware of would mean to experience large-scale decreases in their gas supply, and they know the important role Ukraine plays in the transit of that gas.

I do not know the answer to this, but it is something I’ve been wondering. Notice that some major routes come into Ukraine on its western side and then into Europe.

The Institute for the Study of War has one of the best regular updates of the current conflict in Ukraine. Check it out if you’re looking for a good source. Here’s a map courtesy of them that shows where Russia is most active in Ukraine.



Notice that they have shied way from western Ukraine. I know the eastern side is closer to Russian territory, but is it to avoid damage to these major gas routes to Europe, so that Europe is not provoked into a stronger response?

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Jeff Kouba

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5 responses to “One way Ukraine matters”

  1. Emery Avatar
    Emery

    At one time most of our houses were heated with coal or hot water from boilers. I wonder when those new newfangled gas furnaces came out, did they meet resistance too? Would not anticipate the energy future to be a magic switch over to all of this and none of that to a more diversified more of this and less of that. There is room to be hopeful.

  2. bikebubba Avatar
    bikebubba

    I can’t speak for everyone, but gas furnaces were a God-send for my grandparents, because it meant that first of all, half your basement wasn’t devoted to storing coal anymore and you had a lot more space in your house, and second, it meant that you didn’t have coal soot getting all over everything. Downwind of Chicago, the color of snow was gray until gas and oil heat became widespread, and my parents remember orange skies due to the amount of coal fired industry northwest of them.

    To the question, lots of reasons to avoid western Ukraine, from the pipelines (and possible loss of revenues and European responses) to the simple fact that there aren’t very many ethnic Russians there. Then finally you’ve got the reality that mounting an offensive through Belarus would be a logistical nightmare. That has to weigh on the minds of generals who have been harshly reminded that their armored corps was not ready for a Sunday drive, let alone an invasion.

  3. kinlaw Avatar
    kinlaw

    Renewable= Solar and Wind= Unicorn farts.

    Glad to clear that up.

  4. Blade Nzimande Avatar
    Blade Nzimande

    Activists told The Guardian that dozens of transgender “women” have also been turned away, “with many fearing for their lives in the event that Russia’s transphobic regime takes over.”

    Schwooops! Here comes those damn Russky biological purists! lmao

    But, oh no! The Defenders of Democracy ™ haven’t completed their Diversity and Inclusion training, either!

    Martial law says all males are obliged to serve in the military, so they [trannies] can’t leave the country,” Ukrainian Olena Shevchenko told The Guardian.

    The border guards were pretty straightforward with Judis as to why he wouldn’t be allowed to cross. They told him “you’re a guy, so get the hell out of here” and that he should be grateful they didn’t call the police. Go to war.

    lol

    Fags, dykes, pedo’s, liberals…lots of freaks and mental cases can hide their dysfunctions and pass for normal when society collapses. But when you hack your junk in pieces to make a spam purse, no dress is gonna hide you; you’re fucked.

  5. In The Mailbox: 03.24.22 (Evening Edition) : The Other McCain

    […] Lane With The NYT Shark Tank: GOP Congressional Primary Getting Ugly In FL-7 Shot In The Dark: One Way Ukraine Matters, The Last Karen On The Island Has Yet To Walk Out Of The Jungle, and Let Them Eat Beans The […]

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