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

[The Clamp]

So a few days in now and unfortunately Russia is seeming to be getting the upper hand. The Ukrainian resistance is decentralised so they haven’t had to wait for tactical decisions or orders. Which has thus far given them an advantage.

They’ve essentially been able to “spring out” and attack columns of Russian tanks and other such vehicles. Blocking roads and have stymied progress.

With the added element of iPhone footage, makes it appear the Ukrainians have been doing well. Which, given the circumstances, they kind of have. But if one pans out, it’s not a sustainable form of warfare.

Sorrowfully today, Russia seems to have got itself together and is overcoming these bands of resistance. And have clearly been able to bombard with air assaults.

I fear the next few days are going to be horrific for the Ukraine.

 

[drew]

I try not to jump to conclusions about what my customers think…..I don’t get them to fill in a questionnaire over their beliefs etc etc …so that makes me unconcerned? To be honest that’s a bit odd to…..will you be suggesting the cashier at Tescos should refuse a Russian living (for maybe decades) in the country buying food just in case that person has different views…how far does it go

Ps ..not that I think you are questioning how I run my business…and I’m saying all this in a non confrontational way to you

I may have got the wrong end of the stick as I assumed your Russian customer was actually in Russia but I appreciate they may just be a local with whom you do business.

 

[rogersix]

Interesting article.

Now watch this collection of videos of Putin walking. His left arm swings, but not his right. Is there something else going on?

https://www.indiatoday.in/newsmo/vi...dimir-putin-walks-this-way-1919350-2022-03-01

kgb training, so your right hand is never far from your weapon,

bit of a giveaway as a spy tho'

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Hi. Im just going to put this out there again.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforukraine2?utm_term=ydKJBYqNm

Weve raised £855 in the first 24 hours thanks to some very generous donations including at least 2 members of this forum. Thanks to them and any others that have or will donate.
For background, we have managed to secure some space in a container going to Poland on Saturday. The cost of the transport will be met by me personally and every single penny raised via the justgiving page will be spent on essential items for the refugees fleeing this invasion.

Done

 

[LamieRobertson]

I may have got the wrong end of the stick as I assumed your Russian customer was actually in Russia but I appreciate they may just be a local with whom you do business.

Drew ..do you know what I do

 

[Albion in the north]

Done

Thanks. Much appreciated.

 

[portlock seagull]

So a few days in now and unfortunately Russia is seeming to be getting the upper hand. The Ukrainian resistance is decentralised so they haven’t had to wait for tactical decisions or orders. Which has thus far given them an advantage.

They’ve essentially been able to “spring out” and attack columns of Russian tanks and other such vehicles. Blocking roads and have stymied progress. With the added element of iPhone footage which makes it appear the Ukrainians have been doing well. Which, given the circumstances, they kind of have. But if one pans out, it’s not a sustainable form of warfare.

Sorrowfully today, Russia seems to have got itself together and is overcoming these bands of resistance. And have clearly been able to bombard with air assaults.

I fear the next few days are going to be horrific for the Ukraine.

It seems this way. However, arms shipments are arriving daily to boost defences. And Occupation is an altogether different matter. The only certainty is it’s likely to be horrific as you say. Those poor souls.

 

[indy3050]

Hi. Im just going to put this out there again.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforukraine2?utm_term=ydKJBYqNm

Weve raised £855 in the first 24 hours thanks to some very generous donations including at least 2 members of this forum. Thanks to them and any others that have or will donate.
For background, we have managed to secure some space in a container going to Poland on Saturday. The cost of the transport will be met by me personally and every single penny raised via the justgiving page will be spent on essential items for the refugees fleeing this invasion.

I’ve put what I can in, best of luck x

SB

 

[Bry Nylon]

So a few days in now and unfortunately Russia is seeming to be getting the upper hand. The Ukrainian resistance is decentralised so they haven’t had to wait for tactical decisions or orders. Which has thus far given them an advantage.

They’ve essentially been able to “spring out” and attack columns of Russian tanks and other such vehicles. Blocking roads and have stymied progress. With the added element of iPhone footage which makes it appear the Ukrainians have been doing well. Which, given the circumstances, they kind of have.

Sorrowfully today, Russia seems to have got itself together and is overcoming these bands of resistance. And have clearly been able to bombard with air assaults.

I fear the next few days are going to be horrific for the Ukraine.

Given the overwhelming size of the Russian forces it was inconceivable that they wouldn’t prevail militarily. I think the surprise is that they have struggled to this extent. I truly believe they felt they would stroll in and remove the government and the rest of the world would blow hard but ultimately look the other way and let them get on with it. Obviously that has been far from the case.

Sadly, for the millions of innocent Ukrainians who just want to live normal peaceful lives, they are going to have to endure hurt and misery whilst this plays out. They cannot hope to win militarily but I cannot see how Russia will be able to annex Ukraine. This will prove to be Putin’s Afghanistan with the added complexity that this conflict is going to bite hard against normal Russians as sanctions take hold.

 

[The Clamp]

It seems this way. However, arms shipments are arriving daily to boost defences. And Occupation is an altogether different matter. The only certainty is it’s likely to be horrific as you say. Those poor souls.

My guess. And it is a guess. Is Russia is going to try and bomb the living Heck out of the main cities so they can establish a front. From there they can move in and defend their captured territory.

Let’s hope the incoming aid and arms can stop them establishing that front-line.

 

[PTC Gull]

Until now I have refrained from commenting on this thread but now is the time. Background...20 years ago I worked for a UK company that was the commercial partner of Antonov Design Bureau the builders and operators of the AN124 and the now destroyed AN225 cargo aircraft. I helped run the airline. I have been to Kyiv and Hostomel on a few occasions and know a few of the pilots and directors of the company. Part of the set up consisted of Brits (and an American) riding on the aircraft as they flew around the world on cargo charters, managing all the actions on the ground. (I did this once on a flight from Cologne to Kabul during the war there) One of these guys met a local lass and moved to Kyiv and used to run a pub there. He is now retired. Today (1st March) I got an email from him with the latest situation from his perspective, living in in a small village outside of Kyiv (over the Dniepra River to the east). This is what it says:

Hi All,
At about 0400 this morning we were woken by a succession of loud explosions. Apparently, the Russians tried to move through the next village down the road about 6 or 7 Km. This road is very wide and has just been renovated. Each village has a self-defense force. The village defense force engaged the Russians and there was a firefight the Russians retreated. We later received a message from a member of our village defense force that the Russian tanks had retreated into a small forest between the two villages where the crews had abandoned their tanks and taken off on foot. According to the messenger the Russians had no comms were almost certainly lost and could not contact their operational base. Both villages have been instructed to report any people moving in the area by mobile telephone. At the moment there are two Ukrainian main battle tanks parked at the bottom of my lane. We have been warned to expect trouble tonight anytime after dark.

News from Kyiv is very sparse. One of my ex-partners in the pub has just managed to get out of Kyiv today. He is moving in with a friend in the countryside. He says it is almost impossible to find food. The Russian tactic appears to be to starve the civilian population out. Yesterday the Russians opened a so-called humanitarian route out of the city for civilians. Most Kyivites came out of their shelters bought as much food as they could find and then went back to their shelters. Nobody trusts the Russians after the incident in 2014 at Debaltsiva. The Russian gave the Ukrainian defenders who they had surrounded but could not dislodge a corridor through which they could exit under a negotiated and agreed truce. When the Ukrainians were in the center of the corridor the Russians opened fire and killed a large number. What confuses a lot of Ukrainians is why until this invasion the EU and NATO have believed everything they have been told right down to the latest stream of denials that Russia was not intending to invade Ukraine. It is certain that the Russians used cluster munitions in their attacks in the East of the country and there is strong evidence that Russian special troops when fighting for Boryspil killed prisoners of war.

? (my edit to protect names) works from home using the Internet. The English company that employs her and several other English-speaking Ukrainians is called XXXX. She carries out Internet research. The English boss contacted the whole team and said they would be paid whether they could work or not. I thought it was a nice gesture. So when we have the Internet she works when we don't she relaxes.

I now watch the German English News channel DW which doesn't have a fixation on panicking refugees, racism at the Ukrainian border, and interviews with entitled Brits, unlike the BBC. Martial Law has been declared by the Ukrainian government. This means all men between the ages of 18 and 60 cannot leave the country including permanent residents no matter what their nationality. As a Brit, it is a trifle embarrassing to listen to some entitled young man saying 'but I am British' to a Ukrainian border guard. Another Brit complained there's no food in the shops at the border, this one with his Ukrainian girlfriend partner, was escaping from Lviv.

Trouble seems to have a habit of bringing out the best and the worst in people. My neighbor across the road offered us to share his root shelter when the fighting started this morning ? and ? went and sheltered with his family I stayed with the dogs. He and I have never hit it off for many cultural reasons. Hopefully, when this is all over I can build on his kind gesture.

So with anticipation, we await tonight's action.

My thoughts are with him and his family. Slava Ukraine

 

[Binney on acid]

Hi. Im just going to put this out there again.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforukraine2?utm_term=ydKJBYqNm

Weve raised £855 in the first 24 hours thanks to some very generous donations including at least 2 members of this forum. Thanks to them and any others that have or will donate.
For background, we have managed to secure some space in a container going to Poland on Saturday. The cost of the transport will be met by me personally and every single penny raised via the justgiving page will be spent on essential items for the refugees fleeing this invasion.

Done.

 

[dazzer6666]

Hi. Im just going to put this out there again.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforukraine2?utm_term=ydKJBYqNm

Weve raised £855 in the first 24 hours thanks to some very generous donations including at least 2 members of this forum. Thanks to them and any others that have or will donate.
For background, we have managed to secure some space in a container going to Poland on Saturday. The cost of the transport will be met by me personally and every single penny raised via the justgiving page will be spent on essential items for the refugees fleeing this invasion.

Done

 

[rogersix]

Sauce?

his attitude, actions and words

 

[PTC Gull]

Hi. Im just going to put this out there again.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforukraine2?utm_term=ydKJBYqNm

Weve raised £855 in the first 24 hours thanks to some very generous donations including at least 2 members of this forum. Thanks to them and any others that have or will donate.
For background, we have managed to secure some space in a container going to Poland on Saturday. The cost of the transport will be met by me personally and every single penny raised via the justgiving page will be spent on essential items for the refugees fleeing this invasion.

Done. Slava Ukraine

 

[The Clamp]

Hi. Im just going to put this out there again.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforukraine2?utm_term=ydKJBYqNm

Weve raised £855 in the first 24 hours thanks to some very generous donations including at least 2 members of this forum. Thanks to them and any others that have or will donate.
For background, we have managed to secure some space in a container going to Poland on Saturday. The cost of the transport will be met by me personally and every single penny raised via the justgiving page will be spent on essential items for the refugees fleeing this invasion.

Won’t accept my email address ?

 

[peterward]

So a few days in now and unfortunately Russia is seeming to be getting the upper hand. The Ukrainian resistance is decentralised so they haven’t had to wait for tactical decisions or orders. Which has thus far given them an advantage.

They’ve essentially been able to “spring out” and attack columns of Russian tanks and other such vehicles. Blocking roads and have stymied progress.

With the added element of iPhone footage, makes it appear the Ukrainians have been doing well. Which, given the circumstances, they kind of have. But if one pans out, it’s not a sustainable form of warfare.

Sorrowfully today, Russia seems to have got itself together and is overcoming these bands of resistance. And have clearly been able to bombard with air assaults.

I fear the next few days are going to be horrific for the Ukraine.

Russia isn't getting the upper hand.

It should on paper have trounced Ukraine. It hasn't and it won't.

It's massively bigger, has massively more advanced weapons, naval and air superiority, and they've made nowhere near the progress they should.

Ultimately whatever Putin does, however much blood or dead children, Putin has already lost.

He will not be able to hold it, Russia will bleed money (20 billion a day), and I think Russia will implode.

Just wait, Putin will fall.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Brief discussion on bbc news night on the building number of refugees…a whole different side to the guns and missile destruction

 

[clapham_gull]

Hi. Im just going to put this out there again.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforukraine2?utm_term=ydKJBYqNm

Weve raised £855 in the first 24 hours thanks to some very generous donations including at least 2 members of this forum. Thanks to them and any others that have or will donate.
For background, we have managed to secure some space in a container going to Poland on Saturday. The cost of the transport will be met by me personally and every single penny raised via the justgiving page will be spent on essential items for the refugees fleeing this invasion.

Done and thank you.

 

[The Clamp]

Russia isn't getting the upper hand.

It should on paper have trounced Ukraine. It hasn't and it won't.

It's massively bigger, has massively more advanced weapons, naval and air superiority, and they've made nowhere near the progress they should.

Ultimately whatever Putin does, however much blood or dead children, Putin has already lost.

He will not be able to hold it, Russia will bleed money (20 billion a day), and I think Russia will implode.

Just wait, Putin will fall.

I hope so. I think Russia are going to make a lot of progress in the next 4-5 days. After that? Hmm. I dunno.

Most large offensives have taken longer than expected, have encountered more resistance than mitigated for.

My concern is that in the spirit of solidarity with Ukraine, people are writing Russia off as defeated. “We towed your tank away with a tractor, nah nah nah”.
Social media can be influential and indeed, powerful. But Russia is one huge, big, **** off power.

They are still a force to be feared in this war.