Russia has invaded Ukraine

[Carth]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I'm not sure Putin is being backed into a corner. He's currently expanding his Empire into Ukraine.

For a supposedly politically astute chap you're doing well . . . keep it up

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

My first thought when I saw this was they were trying to cut the power rather than blow it up and that's been confirmed on the radio, so it's better than them trying to cause a meltdown at least, still criminally reckless and grossly irresponsible though and unlike chernobyl the reactors are contained so they should not blow up like in 1986. The Russians took control of the hydro electric dam up the road earlier today to incidentally

I don't think you've thought this through. If the power's cut the cooling circulation pumps stop working so there is the possibility of a core meltdown. Different to Chernobyl, yes as it is a different reacor design.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by pip08456

I don't think you've thought this through. If the power's cut the cooling circulation pumps stop working so there is the possibility of a core meltdown. Different to Chernobyl, yes as it is a different reacor design.

Cut the power to the country rather than the site, it provides 25% of Ukraines power

Ukraine's military is waging an effective and “mobile” defense by using knowledge of the terrain to halt Russian advances: top U.S. military officer Gen. Mark Milley to traveling press.

Gen. Mark Milley told reporters that Ukraine had frustrated Russian invaders by using mobile weapons systems to fend off attacks. - Jack Detsch, Foreign Policy.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Mick

Lithuanian PM: 'Calls for NATO no-fly zone in Ukraine are irresponsible.'

"I believe that all encouragements for NATO to get involved into the military conflict now are irresponsible," Ingrida Simonyte told a news conference in Vilnius, according to Reuters. - Kyiv Independent.

she'd be correct.

[RichardCoulter]

BBC 1pm News says that Russia is to restrict access to the BBC website, presumably to prevent ordinary Russian people accessing the truth. I'm surprised it's taken them this long tbh.

It's been said that older Russians tend to get their news from state controlled TV, but that younger citizens obtain their news from the internet.

Won't they simply use a VPN? Perhaps all VPN sites are to be blocked too (if possibl)? Is it possible for a Government to mass identify people using a VPN? If so, they will be putting themselves in danger.

I once read a newspaper tech advice article where someone was going on holiday to a country where facebook was banned They asked if using a VPN whilst there would allow them to access facebook and the sensible answer was that this wasn't worth the risk for a fortnight, so there must be a way for them to find out if any Russian people go down this route to access BBC news.

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

BBC 1pm News says that Russia is to restrict access to the BBC website, presumably to prevent ordinary Russian people accessing the truth.

It's been said that older Russians tend to get their news from state controlled TV, but that younger citizens obtain their news from the internet.

Won't they simply use a VPN? Perhaps all VPN sites are to be blocked too?? Is it possible for a Government to mass identify people using a VPN? If so, they will be putting themselves in danger.

I once read a newspaper tech advice article where someone was going on holiday to a country where facebook was banned They asked if using a VPN whilst there would allow them to access facebook and the sensible answer was that this wasn't worth the risk for a fortnight, so there must be a way for them to find out if any Russian people go down this route to access BBC news.

Truth and the BBC is a bit of a stretch at the best of times though

[ianch99]

Interesting article on why the UK is dragging its heals on Russia sanctions when compared to the EU & US:

Why does UK seem so slow at acting against Putin’s oligarchs?

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

Truth and the BBC is a bit of a stretch at the best of times though

I know that some people feel this way, but I know who i'd trust more out of the two.

---------- Post added at 17:05 ---------- Previous post was at 16:58 ----------

Originally Posted by ianch99

Interesting article on why the UK is dragging its heals on Russia sanctions when compared to the EU & US:

Why does UK seem so slow at acting against Putin’s oligarchs?

I've been reading up about such allegations that accuse the current Government of being bought by the Russians.

As Partygate has (understandably) been pushed to the back burner in the current circumstances, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Surely they must have known that they'd want something in return at some point?

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I know that some people feel this way, but I know who i'd trust more out of the two.

---------- Post added at 17:05 ---------- Previous post was at 16:58 ----------



I've been reading up about such allegations that accuse the current Government of being bought by the Russians.

As Partygate has (understandably) been pushed to the back burner in the current circumstances, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Surely they must have known that they'd want something in return at some point?

I think, quite rightly, a discussion on the degree of influence of the Russian money given to the Conservative Party, the fast tracking of oligarchs into our government and the dark money behind the past election campaigns needs to wait until a later date.

I will say, however, that the Conservative Party will have a lot of explaining to do to the country when this does become a primary subject of discussion, which it will.

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

Truth and the BBC is a bit of a stretch at the best of times though

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I know that some people feel this way, but I know who i'd trust more out of the two.

eh?

That, to me, reads that you've chosen between the truth or the BBC . . .

Originally Posted by Carth

eh?

That, to me, reads that you've chosen between the truth or the BBC . . .

In context I suspect he's choosing between Russia and the BBC.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Chris

In context I suspect he's choosing between Russia and the BBC.

Yep.

BREAKING: Reuters reporting that Russia Communications Regulator has, in Russia, blocked access to Facebook.

Very Precise Notions. is your friend.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by ianch99

I think, quite rightly, a discussion on the degree of influence of the Russian money given to the Conservative Party, the fast tracking of oligarchs into our government and the dark money behind the past election campaigns needs to wait until a later date.

I will say, however, that the Conservative Party will have a lot of explaining to do to the country when this does become a primary subject of discussion, which it will.

True, all hands need to be on deck to deal with the current situation. I only hope that there is no undue Putin influence in our Government. I wouldn't think that there is as, even those who may have been bought, have now seen this individual for what he is.

There have also been allegations that Russia interfered with our (and other) elections and the EU referendum in order to stir up trouble and cause division in the West.

If true, he certainty succeeded in his aims. However, invading Ukrainia appears to have undone all this. I have friends right across the political spectrum, from all walks of life, faiths, races etc.

Without exception, every one of them has condemned this invasion and want to do whatever they can do to help. Long held feuds, political differences, business rivalries, prejudices etc have all been tossed to one side in favour of unity over this issue.

It's the same in the wider world too, former MP Gyles Brandreth said this morning that we effectively "rejoined the EU again for a day" after we were invited to partake in discussions with them in how to deal with this.

Could anyone have ever imagined that happening, even a fortnight ago?

Attacking nuclear power plants and a hospital (where children with cancer will die if moved to be evacuated) shows the depths that this wicked and depraved dictator will go to achieve his aims.

The best thing will be for his own to topple him from power or assassinate him. It's been an uncomfortable realisation for me today having to accept that I no longer believe that all God given life is precious.

---------- Post added at 18:41 ---------- Previous post was at 18:34 ----------

Originally Posted by Mick

BREAKING: Reuters reporting that Russia Communications Regulator has blocked access to Facebook.

Very Precise Notions. is your friend.

They did the same thing to the BBC news site earlier (see post #696).

As I said in that post, I fear that the use of a VPN could be traced and ultimately cost people their freedom/lives.

I'm hoping that someone who knows more about such things can advise us.