Russia has invaded Ukraine

Originally Posted by pip08456

“Russia may conduct a full-scale offensive on Poland, the Baltic states & Kazakhstan as part of a global military special operation on demilitarization & denazification,” - Russian MP Sergei Savostyanov.

The Russians have lost their minds.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...80989891416065

Even in this country there are a few mental backbenchers you can rely on to give a juicy quote to the Sunday papers.

There is absolutely zero chance of Russia moving on any NATO territory. It’s barely capable of moving within Ukraine right now.

Kazakhstan are well capable of defending themselves.
Given Russia cant even take Ukraine, they arent going to take on even more.

On top of that, since it borders China, I would think they would take a rather dim view.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by pip08456

“Russia may conduct a full-scale offensive on Poland, the Baltic states & Kazakhstan as part of a global military special operation on demilitarization & denazification,” - Russian MP Sergei Savostyanov.

The Russians have lost their minds.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/statu...80989891416065

Without being churlish, but “you and whose army”? would be the reply

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Chris

Even in this country there are a few mental backbenchers you can rely on to give a juicy quote to the Sunday papers.

There is absolutely zero chance of Russia moving on any NATO territory. It’s barely capable of moving within Ukraine right now.

Kazakhstan are well capable of defending themselves.
Given Russia cant even take Ukraine, they arent going to take on even more.

On top of that, since it borders China, I would think they would take a rather dim view.

Without being churlish, but “you and whose army”? would be the reply

Agreed entirely.

[pip08456]

Leaked video of the Kremlin discussing their new Russian POWs propaganda campaign.

Hilarous but close to the truth. Especially the 3 ply.

https://twitter.com/TourOfTheFuture/...12375907598338

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Without being churlish, but “you and whose army”? would be the reply

Spot on, certainly not Russia's!

---------- Post added 28-03-2022 at 00:07 ---------- Previous post was 27-03-2022 at 22:43 ----------

Bellingcat is rumoured to be revealing that the FSB paid some Ukranians handsomely to launch a coup d'état immediately after the invasion. However, the Ukranians just took the money and didn't launch the coup.

From Eliot Higgins at Bellingcat 27/3/22:

Tomorrow we have something big for you. Sleep well.

https://twitter.com/EliotHiggins/sta...75669154533379

Russia is developing measures to restrict entry into country for nationals of "unfriendly" countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says

So pretty much everywhere then ..

[1andrew1]

From Bellingcat as reported by Sky News.

Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators 'suffered symptoms of suspected chemical weapons poisoning' after talks

Symptoms included "piercing pain in the eyes" but the dosage and type of toxin was likely insufficient to cause life-threatening damage, according to investigative website Bellingcat.

Bellingcat tweeted: "Bellingcat can confirm that three members of the delegation attending the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night of 3 to 4 March 2022 experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons.

"One of victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich."

Mr Abramovich has reportedly travelled between Moscow and Kyiv during the several rounds of negotiations amid the war.

The billionaire and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian team developed symptoms that included red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The health conditions of the trio, who include Crimean Tatar politician Rustem Umerov, have since improved and their lives are not in danger, the publication added.

https://news.sky.com/story/roman-abr...talks-12576989

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Paul

So pretty much everywhere then ..

I think those living in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America will largely be ok.

---------- Post added at 19:06 ---------- Previous post was at 17:33 ----------

Some good news for Johnson - Zelensky ranks the UK's support the most out of the UK, France, Germany and USA. And he's not particularly happy with France.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...d695ee7e2f3031

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I think those living in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America will largely be ok.

---------- Post added at 19:06 ---------- Previous post was at 17:33 ----------

Some good news for Johnson - Zelensky ranks the UK's support the most out of the UK, France, Germany and USA. And he's not particularly happy with France.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...d695ee7e2f3031

Contrary to the British penchant for self-loathing (and some justifiable anger about our lukewarm response to the humanitarian crisis), we have been sending them truckloads of arms and training them to use the stuff for nearly 10 years.

Much of the expert commentary (that doesn’t make it into the national press, sadly) is pointing out that Ukraine’s army, despite being ex-Soviet, does not fight like that. It fights like a Western army. That didn’t happen by accident.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Paul

So pretty much everywhere then ..

Good, just when they think the worlds screwing them hard their own country joins in.

Biden said earlier Russoa was the world's 11th richest nation 6 weeks ago, now its not even in top 20

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Chris

Contrary to the British penchant for self-loathing (and some justifiable anger about our lukewarm response to the humanitarian crisis), we have been sending them truckloads of arms and training them to use the stuff for nearly 10 years.

Much of the expert commentary (that doesn’t make it into the national press, sadly) is pointing out that Ukraine’s army, despite being ex-Soviet, does not fight like that. It fights like a Western army. That didn’t happen by accident.

The UK has been the biggest trainer and supplier of the Ukranian army for all of that time. Not forgetting they have trained the infantry in the use of NATO weaponry, eg the Javelin anti tank and surface to air missiles etc.

My friend has a son who is a W.O. stationed in Germany and is a trainer of the trainers (if that makes sense), has stated that the normal rotational monthly service of tanks and other vehicles has changed to they are servicing them all ASAP.

Makes you wonder what the future has to hold for us. Fear of a Nuclear war will only allow Putin to get away with whatever he wants. When will that fear end. Not something I'd like to decide on.

[1andrew1]

Jack Detsch - Foreign Policy magazine

JUST IN: Russia has committed 70 to 75 percent of its TOTAL military to the war in Ukraine, top U.S. general in Europe tells Congress.

Ukraine can "certainly succeed" in stalling Russia, said Gen. Tod Wolters.

https://twitter.com/JackDetsch/statu...16931033337857

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

https://twitter.com/JackDetsch/statu...16931033337857

Not breaking news as it was known over a month ago.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...n-us-officials

Originally Posted by pip08456

Not breaking news as it was known over a month ago.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...n-us-officials

That’s not saying the same thing at all.

In the guardian item from February, Russia’s invasion force assembly on the Ukrainian border is 70% complete. Today, the US’s assessment is that Russia has deployed 70-75% of its entire functional military strength to Ukraine. Lying behind that statistic is the emerging truth that just because Russia claims to have a million men in uniform and a gazillion tanks, it does not follow that all of them are in any fit state to go to war.