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

[raymondo]

Was that a thinly veiled nuclear threat he made in his speech? Dangerous times.

Without a doubt, Clamp.

 

[Albion in the north]

My thoughts are with you, you wife and her family. Absolutely disgusting and . . . well there are not words to describe it.

Certainly not 'exciting', that is for sure.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

 

[Binney on acid]

Where did you see that clip? which channel or what is internet?

The footage involving Ukrainian children was on terrestrial TV a couple of days ago. Footage of Putin in the presence of women is about as common as an Aaron Connolly hat trick.

 

[Poojah]

Unless sanctions work and those who hold the purse strings in Russia oust him, Putin is going nowhere for the foreseeable. Which doesn’t leave many options. The West can either keep supporting Ukraine but ultimately Putin will gain control of Ukraine. If that I have little doubt. This would likely lead to genocide. Then I imagine the options narrow even further. Do the UN go in? Could they go in?

Then we have a decision whether to engage militarily. At this point it’s very dangerous as the nuclear threat becomes real.

Or we wait and see what he does next. If he makes moves on the Baltics, it’s WW3 for certain. And then nuclear war is a very realistic outcome.

I cannot see this ending up without boots on the ground.

If, and I pray this doesn’t happen, this escalates to WW3, I cannot see it taking place without substantial use of nuclear force. And that would be the end of the world as we know it.

Who would have thought, this time two years ago, that the world would have found itself in an even graver situation than it did then. And yet here we are.

 

[The Clamp]

My thoughts are with you, you wife and her family. Absolutely disgusting and . . . well there are not words to describe it.

Certainly not 'exciting', that is for sure.

I think the poster probably meant that it gets his adrenaline up, and not in a good way. Poor choice of words but I don’t think he meant he was enjoying it.

 

[Eric the meek]

We have 11 relatives there, including 3 kids, plus many friends. It's a nightmare. May all of our relatives and friends stay safe.

May they indeed.

It's difficult to know what to say, but your support for them will help their anxiety and morale.
Perhaps you could send them a flow of positive, supportive news items from around the world?

 

[jakarta]

USA is the most powerful military state in the world, why are F-35's not shooting Russian aircraft out of the sky in defence of the Ukraine right now, it might send a message to Putin?

 

[The Clamp]

We shouldnt be waiting Clamp, we shouldnt just wait for him then react and catch up..... Like taking your players off the field until they score a goal, then come on try and equalise, then sit down again and wait for their next goal.

We should take the initiative, get on the front foot, the only thing that will make him back down is military force. I'm not suggesting NATO troops on the ground and the most devasatating sanctions ever should be levied, including exposing all of Putins hidden wealth, but this will take time.

We should be giving Ukraine immediately, offensive weapons, attack Russia with Cyber, command control/military planning help, satellite technology and as many weapons as they need or require. We must also do everything to protect their leadership and economy.

Putin has launched this, this is this generations Poland moment. We cannot step back. Putin fears NATO and he is not so irrational to start a nuclear war imho. So why do we bench our key weapon. Short of putting our service people on the ground, we should use the full power of NATO covertly to assist Ukraine. Give them missile defense technology, give them precision missiles. The annexed pupper states on Ukrainian soil think they have a right to invite Russia in? The Sovereign governement of Ukraine has every right to ask NATO to assist in everything except foreign troops.

I agree. Completely. My only thought is that military action would be tempered by the threat of nuclear strike. I think at this point we have to assume Putin is capable of anything.

 

[raymondo]

We shouldnt be waiting Clamp, we shouldnt just wait for him then react and catch up..... Like taking your players off the field until they score a goal, then come on try and equalise, then sit down again and wait for their next goal.

We should take the initiative, get on the front foot, the only thing that will make him back down is military force. I'm not suggesting NATO troops on the ground and the most devasatating sanctions ever should be levied, including exposing all of Putins hidden wealth, but this will take time.

We should be giving Ukraine immediately, offensive weapons, attack Russia with Cyber, command control/military planning help, satellite technology and as many weapons as they need or require. We must also do everything to protect their leadership and economy.

Putin has launched this, this is this generations Poland moment. We cannot step back. Putin fears NATO and he is not so irrational to start a nuclear war imho. So why do we bench our key weapon. Short of putting our service people on the ground, we should use the full power of NATO covertly to assist Ukraine. Give them missile defense technology, give them precision missiles. The annexed pupper states on Ukrainian soil think they have a right to invite Russia in? The Sovereign governement of Ukraine has every right to ask NATO to assist in everything except foreign troops.

This. We need to get equipment and weapons into Ukraine now, while we can FFS, probably through Poland? I hope to god our the West are cyber attaching all Russian institutions as we speak...if not, then shame on us.

 

[beorhthelm]

USA is the most powerful military state in the world, why are F-35's not shooting Russian aircraft out of the sky in defence of the Ukraine right now, it might send a message to Putin?

because that would be a direct act of aggression and a big escalation?

 

[raymondo]

I think the poster probably meant that it gets his adrenaline up, and not in a good way. Poor choice of words but I don’t think he meant he was enjoying it.

This, I'm sure.

 

[beorhthelm]

This. We need to get equipment and weapons into Ukraine now, while we can FFS, probably through Poland? I hope to god our the West are cyber attaching all Russian institutions as we speak...if not, then shame on us.

there were reportedly several military air transports going in to Ukraine from Turkey yesturday evening.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

USA is the most powerful military state in the world, why are F-35's not shooting Russian aircraft out of the sky in defence of the Ukraine right now, it might send a message to Putin?

Because the no fly zone had to be imposed before invasion with F35s patrolling Ukraine skies.

Then Putin would have to make the call.


Now the dynamic has switched around.


But any Russian aircraft over NATO airspace will I'm sure get just 1 warning from now.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

USA is the most powerful military state in the world, why are F-35's not shooting Russian aircraft out of the sky in defence of the Ukraine right now, it might send a message to Putin?

That would lead to an instant world war?

 

[raymondo]

there were reportedly several military air transports going in to Ukraine from Turkey yesturday evening.

Some good news amongst the gloom. Thanks

 

[nicko31]

USA is the most powerful military state in the world, why are F-35's not shooting Russian aircraft out of the sky in defence of the Ukraine right now, it might send a message to Putin?

No fly zone needs to imposed now

 

[The Clamp]

because that would be a direct act of aggression and a big escalation?

Agreed. We are a few hours into the invasion. Apart from anything else, it requires a huge strategic operation to get that sort of response active. There’s no point sending fighter jets in if there is no follow up plan and the forces in place to follow through. It would simply result in an air battle with no advantage gained except a load of downed aircraft.

 

[Weststander]

I agree. Completely. My only thought is that military action would be tempered by the threat of nuclear strike. I think at this point we have to assume Putin is capable of anything.

He’d authorise snide chemical and biological weapon attacks in London, Washington DC etc.

We saw what he orchestrated in Salisbury and elsewhere.

Politicians, members of the public here just one touch or inhale from dying a slow death.

Putin would revel in the terror caused and destruction of far superior economies.

 

[raymondo]

Because the no fly zone had to imposed before invasion with F35s patrolling Ukraine skies.

Then Putin would have to make the call.


Now the dynamic has switched around.

Yes, why didn't 'we' I wonder? Maybe Ukraine didn't want it?? Their leadership has been rather confusing and in denial these past few weeks, IMO, I'm sorry to say.

 

[Bold Seagull]

USA is the most powerful military state in the world, why are F-35's not shooting Russian aircraft out of the sky in defence of the Ukraine right now, it might send a message to Putin?

Mutually Assured Destruction. An obvious acronym.