Russia has invaded Ukraine

Should we be concerned about this: https://twitter.com/haynesdeborah/st...88769369010176

Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP is in the US on a seemingly hastily-arranged trip. Fellow minister @JSHeappey
hinted at what it’s about: “To have the sort of conversations that… beyond belief really the fact we are at a time when these sorts of conversations are necessary”

There is a lot going on at the moment and maybe Wallace wants to be PM and therefore out of the country if movement starts happening this week.

But it's pretty concerning that he needs to rush to Washington for 'face to face' talks. Liz Truss wasn't able to answer the questions yesterday which was likely just avoidance but what if something serious is happening in Ukraine? Have the US/UK detected Russia moving nuclear weapons?

More likely they’re talking about supplying Ukraine with longer-range weapons, like the US Army’s much-discussed ATACMS or our own equivalents.

Russia is going after Ukraine’s national infrastructure big time at the moment, and while it is running low on missile stocks they could do a lot of damage with what’s left. They won’t force Ukraine to capitulate but they could precipitate a major humanitarian crisis if the country goes through the winter with minimal ability to generate and transmit electricity. Russia needs fear no reprisals at present because Ukraine lacks the ability to conduct deep strikes of its own.

Nato has resisted calls to give Ukraine these weapons up to now because of the escalation risk. But it is becoming clear that Russia needs to be forced to think twice. Arming Ukraine with long range tactical missile systems is escalatory but the human cost of doing nothing is getting higher by the day.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Chris

More likely they’re talking about supplying Ukraine with longer-range weapons, like the US Army’s much-discussed ATACMS or our own equivalents.

Russia is going after Ukraine’s national infrastructure big time at the moment, and while it is running low on missile stocks they could do a lot of damage with what’s left. They won’t force Ukraine to capitulate but they could precipitate a major humanitarian crisis if the country goes through the winter with minimal ability to generate and transmit electricity. Russia needs fear no reprisals at present because Ukraine lacks the ability to conduct deep strikes of its own.

Nato has resisted calls to give Ukraine these weapons up to now because of the escalation risk. But it is becoming clear that Russia needs to be forced to think twice. Arming Ukraine with long range tactical missile systems is escalatory but the human cost of doing nothing is getting higher by the day.

Ukraine has been begging fo advanced air defence systems since day 1 back in February (patriots etc), Gen 4 aircraft as well as ATACMS. Its about time they were supplied with them.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by pip08456

Ukraine has been begging fo advanced air defence systems since day 1 back in February (patriots etc), Gen 4 aircraft as well as ATACMS. Its about time they were supplied with them.

NEW: Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, was hastily requested to join his Pentagon Counterparts in Washington DC earlier today, with grim claims by Harry Cole from The Sun, that Vladimir Putin will launch a Nuclear warhead above the Black Sea.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Mick

NEW: Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, was hastily requested to join his Pentagon Counterparts in Washington DC earlier today, with grim claims by Harry Cole from The Sun, that Vladimir Putin will launch a Nuclear warhead above the Black Sea.

The Black Sea fleet will be out of range of Ukraine for a while then.

Meanwhile:

Only in Russia.

Sergey Elizarov, a councilman in the western Russian town of Tarusa, wrote to the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office about gross violations of the law by the local military registration and enlistment office during mobilisation. They responded by mobilising him too.

BREAKING: Russian media is pushing the conspiracy that Ukraine is launching a nuclear false flag explosion in Mykolaiv sparking fears that Russia is about to imminently detonate a nuclear warhead in Ukraine. - Samuel Ramani, Foreign Policy.

[pip08456]

Another good speach from Zlensky, I'm doubtful the Russians will blow the dam though due to the effect on Crimea.

NEW: LONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - A senior Russian foreign ministry official said that commercial satellites from the United States and its allies could become legitimate targets for Russia if they were involved in the war in Ukraine.

Russia, which in 1957 launched Sputnik 1, the first manmade satellite, into space and in 1961 put the first man in outer space, has a significant offensive space capability - as do the United States and China. In 2021, Russia launched an anti-satellite missile to destroy one of its own satellites. - Reuters.

[pip08456]

The United States has accelerated the fielding of a more accurate version of its mainstay nuclear bomb to NATO bases in Europe, according to a U.S. diplomatic cable and two people familiar with the issue.

The arrival of the upgraded B61-12 air-dropped gravity bomb, originally slated for next spring, is now planned for this December, U.S. officials told NATO allies during a closed-door meeting in Brussels this month, the cable reveals.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/1...urope-00063675

BREAKING: Ukraine confirms that it has increased its military presence near Belarus's borders - Samuel Ramani, Foreign Policy

[Itshim]

Friends back "home" are talking about stop supporting Ukraine with military help , if the republicans win mid-term elections. It's costing to much , let eu sort it out ! Fed up with arguing with them . Really think thing could change if Joe loses which is likely.

[Pierre]

In the eyes of many in the US, Ukraine is not a strategic partner of the US, they’re not in NATO and they couldn’t really care if Putin governs it or not, they just don’t see why they should be financing the Ukrainian defence.

They’ve got a point.

Originally Posted by Pierre

In the eyes of many in the US, Ukraine is not a strategic partner of the US, they’re not in NATO and they couldn’t really care if Putin governs it or not, they just don’t see why they should be financing the Ukrainian defence.

They’ve got a point.

They don’t have a point, they have a fundamental misreading of the strategic situation in Eastern Europe.

Putin has a messianic belief that it’s destiny to restore the Russian sphere of influence beyond its borders. If he wins in Ukraine - especially now, after months of explicit Nato opposition - he will be emboldened. If there is any perceived wobble in support from the USA that puts NATO’s entire eastern frontier at risk, and it puts the sovereign nation states bordering Russia to its south and southwest in mortal peril.

If Republicans want a stable, rules based world in which their economy can flourish and people can buy American goods and services, they had better take their heads from up their asses and ensure they continue to back Ukraine.

[Pierre]

The major problem with this conflict as I understand, it is that there is no longer a willingness for a negotiated settlement. There was at the very beginning but now only victory for Ukraine and retaking of all Russian gains is acceptable. I assume excluding Crimea. Any talk of negotiation gets you branded a Putin apologist.

The issue being that Putin to lose is unacceptable to him.

So we have the issue of the irresistible force meets the immovable object, only the irresistible force has nukes.

Putin will not back down, and he will continue to destroy Ukraines power infrastructure as Winter approaches.