Russia has invaded Ukraine

BREAKING: President Putin has declared that Western Sanctions imposed on Russia are akin to a declaration of war, he has also stated that any country which imposes a no fly zone over Ukraine, that Russia will be at war with that country.

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President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, is due to have a video call with the entire U.S Senate later today.

BREAKING: Visa and MasterCard have announced they have suspended operations in Russia. - AFP News Agency.

Originally Posted by Mick

BREAKING: Visa and MasterCard have announced they have suspended operations in Russia. - AFP News Agency.

Beat me to it - I saw it on TASS.

Visa is working to stop transactions in Russia, the company said in a press release.

Originally Posted by Mick

BREAKING: President Putin has declared that Western Sanctions imposed on Russia are akin to a declaration of war, he has also stated that any country which imposes a no fly zone over Ukraine, that Russia will be at war with that country.

He already knows that "no fly" isnt going to happen, he's a few days too late on that.
He seems to be getting pretty desperate to go to war with [most of] the rest of the world though.

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Paul

He already knows that "no fly" isnt going to happen, he's a few days too late on that.
He seems to be getting pretty desperate to go to war with [most of] the rest of the world though.

It does look like he's searching for an excuse to go the whole hog doesn't it . . .
maybe that's his plan* - put the fear of God (whichever you subscribe to) into everyone and hope they back down



* or possibly he's gone 110% loopy and doesn't care

[TheDaddy]

Anyone seen the Russian soldiers trapped in the lift? The Ukranians switched the power off and trapped them, they're really not sending their best are they, you'd have thought one of them would have had the sense to suggest taking the stairs

BREAKING: The U.S. is working with Poland on the possibility of Poland providing fighter jets to Ukraine in return for American F-16 jet fighters, U.S. officials said on March 5.

The deal would require White House approval and congressional action, U.S. officials said- Wall Street Journal.

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Russia has warned the West about providing Ukraine military hardware and that it must stop.

They’re saying this coz they’re getting their arses handed to them on a platter.

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the “evolution” of the situation in Ukraine is “something China does not want to see” in a phone call with US Secretary of State Blinken on March 5, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published by CNN.

China's foreign minister also called on the U.S., NATO, and the EU to “pay attention to the negative impact of NATO’s continuous eastward expansion on Russia’s security." - CNN

[RichardCoulter]

By 'evolution' of the situation in Ukrania, does he mean that China doesn't like the general way its getting out of hand or the fact that Ukrania is fighting back so well against Russia?

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

By 'evolution' of the situation in Ukrania, does he mean that China doesn't like the general way its getting out of hand or the fact that Ukrania is fighting back so well against Russia?

Wants to keep access to Russia's gas supplies so Putin's called in a favour. Doesn't want more support given to Ukraine ie aircraft, missiles, drones, etc.
(Think you mean Ukraine not Ukrania.)

[Carth]

hmm . . so we have 'The West' warning Russia about invading Ukraine, Russia warning the West about supplying military hardware to Ukraine, and now China telling the USA that they don't like how things are going,

Looks very much like the essential ingredients are in the pot. Allow to simmer slowly with occasional stirring, slowly bring to the boil and add a touch of N. Korea for added flavour.

Serve while hot

[Jaymoss]

China has got used to being wealthy. I am sure a desolate Earth is not what they want

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

China has got used to being wealthy. I am sure a desolate Earth is not what they want

I'm sure economic sanctions against Russia will be doing the Chinese economy the world of good too

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Wants to keep access to Russia's gas supplies so Putin's called in a favour. Doesn't want more support given to Ukraine ie aircraft, missiles, drones, etc.
(Think you mean Ukraine not Ukrania.)

Thanks for explaining.

Yes, Ukraine, not sure where I got Ukrania from, I have a friend who is half Ukranian, so perhaps I assumed his father was from 'Ukrania'

Also, been told that 'The Ukraine' is what the Russians call it as a territory and that locals prefer it to be simply called 'Ukraine'.

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by Carth

I'm sure economic sanctions against Russia will be doing the Chinese economy the world of good too

Not enough to want a desolate Earth where wealth is meaningless

[1andrew1]

Interesting thread here from Phillips O'Brien (Professor of Strategic Studies, University St Andrews, Author: How the War was Won, and Second Most Powerful Man in the World. Editor in Chief, War in History).

The thread is on the logistics of war - why we are almost certainly overestimating the amount of strength the Russian Army has on hand, and the amount they can actually get to Ukraine.

It's worth reading the whole thread and its links. Some points:

• Russian Army is likely a victim of dictators' armies - investment is in flashy weapons but not the necesary, less glamorous infrastructure they need.
• The 40-mile convoy with some of Russia's best tech on it is a disaster as much of it is marooned (out of fuel, dead batteries, stuck in the mud due to poor tyre maintenance.)
• Rations have not been kept up to scratch, with soldiers given food seven years out of date. Some have even run out of food and resorted to looting.
• The Ukranians know these weaknesses, and have successfully attacked Russian convoys.
• To win the war, Ukraine needs to attack every Russian truck they can see, particularly fuel trucks.