[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)

[British Bulldog]

This is great and exactly the right tactics, special forces, little by little going after supply lines. Bombing of bridges, train tracks too....

Who's special forces though?

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has said the use of chemical weapons "will totally change the nature of the conflict, it will be a blatant violation of international law and it will have widespread consequences"

What does or will that mean ?

Boots on the Ground ?
Planes in the Air ?
or
More likely a very stern letter to Vlad ?

I would say a lot more than a stern letter. That’s what they got when practicing these techniques in Syria and here we are a few years later. Appeasement does not work.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I would say a lot more than a stern letter. That’s what they got when practicing these techniques in Syria and here we are a few years later. Appeasement does not work.

It's rare escalating a conflict does either.

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

We also did this before they started the war.

Look at how well that worked out.....

 

[vegster]

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has said the use of chemical weapons "will totally change the nature of the conflict, it will be a blatant violation of international law and it will have widespread consequences"

What does or will that mean ?

Boots on the Ground ?
Planes in the Air ?
or
More likely a very stern letter to Vlad ?

Instead of Covid infected Mice we will escalate and release Covid infected Beavers in to Russia.

 

[dazzer6666]

 

[Eric the meek]

What Are the Chances of a Kremlin Coup?

This is a question posed by Anders Aslund, Swedish economist and former economic adviser to the Russian government, so he knows the people mentioned in the article below.
He thinks there is a power struggle going on right now.

https://www.voanews.com/a/what-are-the-chances-of-a-kremlin-coup/6495941.html

 

[beorhthelm]

What Are the Chances of a Kremlin Coup?

This is a question posed by Anders Aslund, Swedish economist and former economic adviser to the Russian government, so he knows the people mentioned in the article below.
He thinks there is a power struggle going on right now.

https://www.voanews.com/a/what-are-the-chances-of-a-kremlin-coup/6495941.html

making the case the oligarchs, at least from 90's, are not Putin's supporters but potential opposition.

 

[Eric the meek]

making the case the oligarchs, at least from 90's, are not Putin's supporters but potential opposition.

Very much so. They will also be witnessing the sharp end of the sanctions, and will want them over as soon as possible.

But reading the last few paragraphs, it looks like a coup is still a minority view amongst the Kremlin watchers.

 

[peterward]

And all they need are the munitions and equipment. That's where we come in. Massive pressure needs to go on the government to get our stockpiles where they are needed

You called it. Outside Kyiv tonight.

BOOM - a Russian munitions storage.... was confirmed by Arestovych (presidential spokeman)

[tweet]1507088300422619143[/tweet]

 

[peterward]

[tweet]1506975356770824203[/tweet]

Amazing. Shot at, tried to enforce a peoples republic vote on them and they stilll resist

 

[Triggaaar]

You called it. Outside Kyiv tonight.

BOOM - a Russian munitions storage.... was confirmed by Arestovych (presidential spokeman)

I couldn't see the confirmation of who blew what up, or exactly where. Was it definitely Russian munitions? I didn't even think they had settled outside of Kyiv.

 

[A1X]

Apologies if fixtures but here’s former Sussex cricketer Stuart Meaker in Poland where he’s currently volunteering with refugees

[tweet]1507045980738408462[/tweet]

 

[beorhthelm]

something just struck me about Ukraine, is how flat it is. everything see is level, like one huge river flood plain. is this right or just the battles focus around towns with flat land?

 

[Triggaaar]

something just struck me about Ukraine, is how flat it is. everything see is level, like one huge river flood plain. is this right or just the battles focus around towns with flat land?

A lot of it is flat, hence it's the breadbasket of Europe. But there are some mountains.

 

[dazzer6666]

A thread about pallets (or lack of them)

[tweet]1507056013245128716[/tweet]

 

[Klaas]

Yeah, yeah, Ed Sheeran, I know, but this is pretty inspiring amongst all the horrors.

[tweet]1506799839509725196[/tweet]

 

[Icy Gull]

Seems Putin’s bluff on chemical and biological weapons has been called by Biden. We could be about to enter a potential ramping up of this catastrophe? Scary just got scarier imo.

 

[vegster]

Seems Putin’s bluff on chemical and biological weapons has been called by Biden. We could be about to enter a potential ramping up of this catastrophe? Scary just got scarier imo.

It is scary but Putin has to know that there is a limit to what he can do. He's starving out whole cities, shelling hospitals and civillian areas and numerous reports of civilians being shot. He, or his troops are committing war crimes and he has to know that there will be a price if he escalates again due to his desperation to call his " Special Operation " a win. He has to know that there are limits or else or, as we have seen before,he will just keep pushing the envelope.

 

[Icy Gull]

It is scary but Putin has to know that there is a limit to what he can do. He's starving out whole cities, shelling hospitals and civillian areas and numerous reports of civilians being shot. He, or his troops are committing war crimes and he has to know that there will be a price if he escalates again due to his desperation to call his " Special Operation " a win. He has to know that there are limits or else or, as we have seen before,he will just keep pushing the envelope.

Exactly, we’ll soon find out if he is willing to call what may also be a bluff by Biden

The ideal would be Putin’s removal and replacement by a more considered leader. That is also questionable given some of the suggested alternatives.