@Kryton57 kudos to your lad, that's an awesome thing to do. You are right to be proud!
Very proud of Jnr today
I'm not surprised what a caring thing to do, double helping of pudding.
Mueller investigation went as far is it could and results were
"It also found that Russia had interfered in the election "in sweeping and systematic fashion", and outlined 10 times when Mr Trump possibly impeded the investigation."
This is really interesting, if you follow the thread there is much more detail about the heavy criticism of the war, impact of sanctions and acknowledgement of military failures. This on a pre-recorded (so presumably approved) political talk show.
https://twitter.com/MaximAlyukov/status/1502337993012658177?s=20&t=v-nCEJ8cZrT3Wrc3Mupj7g
It would help if that fit faced fat arsed evil POS could actually let some in.
I think there a number of factors they aren't talking about in play
They still haven't sorted out the Afghans and more need to come here from there
There are a lot of Hong Kong immigrants coming in quietly, this may accelerate at any time
They probably are getting some scarey briefings from MI5/6
The civil service culture doesn't rise to the occasion like the armed forces can, this was seen in Afghanistan. I can imagine the panic trying to get sign off for spend on the visa centres.
These aren't excuses, it's crap, everyone knows it's crap.
That's interesting. Maybe Putin is looking for someone to blame whilst climbing down.
On a more serious point, I personally do want to know about the technical aspects of the tools of war being used. I don’t get kicks from seeing them used but it’s another aspect of the invasion that I know I want to know about rather than be clueless.
I'm with nickc on this. Knowledge is good and the more we know about these things the better. If you hear on the news that, say, thermobaric weapons have been used it helps to know what one is and what it does to appreciate the significance of that news story, or if you hear that Poland want to give them 23 Mig29s you need to know tbe size of the current Ukrainian airforce to appreciate if 23 is a big number or not and what that might mean.
.
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Also, I have a spare room and was wondering if I should offer it out. Like tpbiker I'm not that keen on sharing with a complete random, but I thought maybe some sort of 'meet a refugee/speed dating' style thing could be set up, people who have rooms, people who need rooms, meet up, even virtually, see who you get on with and match people together? No idea how the practicalities of that would work.
I’m not surprised what a caring thing to do, double helping of pudding.
Definitely
@kryton57 that's just lifted me out of a (generally tired and grumpy) shite mood and given me a smile. Good for them.
More of this (as a nation) please.
We had a Zimbabwean refugee live with us for a while. It was good experience for us and the kids, if you can - do it.
We don't have a spare room anymore so can't offer.
Re. the refugee in your home thing. There was an interview on radio 4 PM on Wednesday with a ex Syrian refugee and a host, sounded like an incredibly positive opportunity for both parties TBH. Then on Friday a woman from a charity that sorted it all out gave a little insight into how it's organised, it's not entirely a matter of registering your interest then a big family rocks up the following day.
It'll be on BBC Sounds. From about 5.45 PM both days.
Ukraine offering large rewards to Russian pilots that defect with their planes/ helis. Not sure how likely it is to happen but their hybrid warfare campaign against Russia is astoundingly good.
Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) Tweeted:
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense just published a promotional video offering each Russian pilot a reward if they defect to #Ukraine with their aircraft.
USD 1 million per aircraft and USD 500,000 per helicopter.
https://t.co/a0oCin9MfR https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1502001711589830657?s=20&t=xdNSyZFrFxSmb0cUGAaQsA
Instead of offering spare rooms, nlaws and aid packages, what about stopping buying fossil fuels from Russia? Maybe if Putin saw that we were individually and collectively prepared to stand by our principles and not just make token gestures, he might take European opinion seriously.
Then on Friday a woman from a charity that sorted it all out gave a little insight into how it’s organised, it’s not entirely a matter of registering your interest then a big family rocks up the following day.
One step ahead of me then🤣 I'll have a listen and hear what she has to say
Maybe if Putin saw that we were individually and collectively prepared to stand by our principles and not just make token gestures, he might take European opinion seriously.
Can't disagree, but OPEC have refused to increase output - their quite happy with short supply
Have to admit, i stopped posting and reading this thread the more this invasion continues, it just defies belief, and it's honestly sad to know that there's nothing that could be done without turning this in to WW3, Poland's offer shows that, the thought of a NATO country providing this level of defence would just turn it up a notch, same with Biden sat there saying the US just can't do a thing without it going full scale, all because there's an absolute nutter being followed without thought by almost an entire country.
FSB chiefs being put under house arrest, openly anti war talk on Russian tv, 3 high ranking military leaders killed in ukraine as they are having to lead from the front to encourage a demoralised army... am I the only one thinking things are starting to unravel around Putin? Will it be fast enough though?
Can’t disagree, but OPEC have refused to increase output – their quite happy with short supply
Given that oil has been at a very low price for ages I’m not surprised.
I have a spare room and would have no problem. I’ve two teenage daughters so I would only accept female refugees or mother and child but I reckon that would be fair enough. My Dutch mother in law did the same 2 years ago with a Syrian refugee for a year and she is a right particular sort so I think if she can manage so can we.
^^ I think the UAE has agree to increase output?
America is even wooing Venezuela... dealing with the devil there I suppose but still not close to having to deal with Putin.
Lesser of evils.
I the only one thinking things are starting to unravel around Putin? Will it be fast enough though?
As much as a shitshow as the Russian effort has been, Putin will keep throwing soldiers into the grinder, and just launch more missiles and artillery.
Russian military losses at least double Ukraines but he can afford to lose more,
https://twitter.com/PhillipsPOBrien/status/1502372530371317764?t=JAc621CqYHmdKwk15r8wEQ&s=19
Still all those deaths will not be popular at home and the sanctions will hurt
Also
https://twitter.com/Rosslyn43508202/status/1502315878582530051?t=AjaH2dwQq2LPlJ4MjGjobQ&s=19
Defecting pilots will have the repercussions on their families on their mind. I wouldn't be surprised if there's some other anti-defection measures in place, maybe something radio activated. Nice way to cause paranoia amongst the air crew though.
On the refugee question, I have no room. If I did, I'm afraid to say I probably still wouldn't. So much shit with having strangers in your home even as paying renters who you've personally vetted and have a known leaving date.
Very proud of Jnr today
I’m not surprised what a caring thing to do, double helping of pudding.
So you should be Kryton - as for pudding, more like ram raid the local ice cream parlour.
The 80’s documentary with the blond Russian robot boxer (and epic soundtrack) that I mentioned up there ^^ just finished on ITV. I posit Red Dawn for tomorrow night…
Yep, that is quite the plan that Putin and his generals came up with.
https://twitter.com/TimNeale65/status/1502454499793043459
I see on Twitter, seemingly reliable report, that the mayor of Mariupol has been kidnapped by Russian troops at gunpoint and with plastic bag on his head.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Mariia_Zolkina/status/1502306362960850949
It's just been on the beeb.
What is wrong with these people?
Can’t disagree, but OPEC have refused to increase output – their quite happy with short supply
OPEC shooting themselves in both feet as usual. All they've actually managed to accomplish is an aggressive and now politically acceptable switch away to renewable energy in Europe and increased reliance on domestic supply in the USA.
With any luck in twenty years the only things needing hydrocarbons are aircraft and synthetic fuels will be a reasonable proposition at that point.
Some sanity from Biden at least:
We must resist at all costs being pulled into this war based on emotion.
I haven't heard one EU, UK or US politician banging a drum to get us to get involved at all. Emotionally or not. I hear lots of "Here, have some guns, good luck, hope it goes well" but no one is saying "Hold my beer..."
We must resist at all costs being pulled into this war based on emotion.
Not sure whether this has been linked earlier but an interesting article about the need for NATO to redefine its position on triggers for intervention.
Biden is saying what many other political leaders have said.
It provides absolute clarity - if NATO hold to it.
Is of no help whatsoever to Ukraine and it's citizens.
But we will not fight a war against Russia in Ukraine
FFS. That's a great position, but to shout it out?
"Vlad here, lads. Just seen the tweet from Biden. We're good, no great to go with carpet bombing and chemicals - don't forget the rape squads - it'll be like Berlin and Austria all over again!"
Biden's making Trump look like a master tactician.
That’s a great position, but to shout it out?
Everyone already knew it.
Biden’s making Trump look like a master tactician.
To you, maybe...
If this is accurate, it's pretty amazing.
https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1502345408365748225
https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1502345410274160641
Unfortunately for Ukraine the old "never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" strategy is in play
The reality on the ground is terrible
Whether it's the right call in the long term is another question
Personally I think we are doing what we can, there are rough edges (refugees) and the toll on Ukraine but at the moment we need to be sorting our capabilities out as we will be no where near ready to engage if that becomes necessary
Still crap for Ukraine
thols - that was posted yesterday about 4 pages back.
vinnyeh - very interesting analysis in the link you posted; can't see any reason why NATO shouldn't now amend Article 5 - seems, to be, this should become a screaming imperative.
putin's modus operandi will, undoubtedly, have been noted by other authoritarians; as will NATO's military inaction.
I imagine thats coming soon now, as Russia have just announced convoys of military kit to help Ukraine valid military targets.
Clearly, they see NATO are scared of ww3 and are using this tactic to try to prevent supplies to Ukraine, but if one Russian fires over a border at a supply truck/plane, what happens then?
That’s a great position, but to shout it out?
I think the reason they're shouting it out is to prevent Putin using the possibility of NATO involvement as propaganda. Informed Russians know the war is a disaster, most Russians don't seem to think Ukraine is an enemy. Russians are distrustful of NATO so Putin would benefit politically from NATO getting involved. Not enforcing a no-fly zone, not supplying rusty old Migs from a NATO airfield, publicly announcing that NATO will not intervene are intended to destroy Putin's propaganda that he is protecting Russia from NATO by making it absolutely clear that NATO is not involved in combat.
Putin is backed into a corner, he dealt himself a losing hand and has played it badly. His political hail-Mary is to get NATO involved so that Russian popular opinion swings behind him as the man who led the Russian people through the NATO invasion. A single NATO boot on Ukrainian soil will be sold as a NATO invasion of Russia. Biden's statement was intended to torpedo that propaganda.
I imagine thats coming soon now, as Russia have just announced convoys of military kit to help Ukraine valid military targets.
Clearly, they see NATO are scared of ww3 and are using this tactic to try to prevent supplies to Ukraine, but if one Russian fires over a border at a supply truck/plane, what happens then?
They're trying to provoke NATO into getting involved. Propaganda stunt made out of desperation. Russia has realized they are losing badly and are going for hail-Mary stunts.
I imagine thats coming soon now, as Russia have just announced convoys of military kit to help Ukraine valid military targets.
Clearly, they see NATO are scared of ww3 and are using this tactic to try to prevent supplies to Ukraine, but if one Russian fires over a border at a supply truck/plane, what happens then?
Putin won't want to be the one to start a fight with NATO. It's a bluff.
Putin won’t want to be the one to start a fight with NATO. It’s a bluff.
It's exactly what he wants. He knows NATO will not try to invade Russia because Russia has thousands of nuclear armed ballistic missiles. Any fight with NATO would be limited, not a full-on nuclear war. Putin's afraid of Russian political opposition and the possibility of a military coup, he's not directly afraid of NATO. A limited war with NATO would strengthen his political position within Russia.
All politics is local.
. A limited war with NATO would strengthen his political position within Russia.
It would be a disaster for him. From the performance of the Russian armed forces so far they would get absolutely hammered. Their air force would be shot out of the sky and then the NATO airpower would decimate the armour.
On the ground, the T72's are no match for NATO MBT's and even the T90 is just a rebadged T72.
It would put him into a corner and could easily escalate.
