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

[Zeberdi]

Quick question- because I’ve not been following developments as closely as you guys have - Both Italy fighter jets and Polish Fighter jets have been in the air today intercepting ‘Russian planes’ over the Baltic Sea and along the Polish-Ukraine border respectively. Is this ‘business as normal’ or is this an escalation of activity in recent days? Surely the chances of direct confrontation increases due to the increased risk of mis-communication and accidents associated with such close proximity flying?

 

[Eric the meek]

Quick question- because I’ve not been following developments as closely as you guys have - Both Italy fighter jets and Polish Fighter jets have been in the air today intercepting ‘Russian planes’ over the Baltic Sea and along the Polish-Ukraine border respectively. Is this ‘business as normal’ or is this an escalation of activity in recent days? Surely the chances of direct confrontation increases due to the increased risk of mis-communication and accidents associated with such close proximity flying?

Sorry Zeberdi, I simply don't know. I don't keep track of such incidents, although there may be a database somewhere.

I have a vague perception, that prior to the war, Russia tested the boundaries from time to time, perhaps attempting to assess the NATO response, or perhaps they were just being Russian.

I would think the answer to your second question is a 'yes, absolutely'.

Apologies for the less-than-satisfactory replies, but the truth is, I just don't know. I'm sure you would rather I did this, than try to make something up.

 

[Eric the meek]

 

[Lethargic]

Quick question- because I’ve not been following developments as closely as you guys have - Both Italy fighter jets and Polish Fighter jets have been in the air today intercepting ‘Russian planes’ over the Baltic Sea and along the Polish-Ukraine border respectively. Is this ‘business as normal’ or is this an escalation of activity in recent days? Surely the chances of direct confrontation increases due to the increased risk of mis-communication and accidents associated with such close proximity flying?

As someone who served in the RAF in the 1980s this was completely normal practise, the Russians would regular fly along NATO borders probing.

Of course, we did not do the same

 

[raymondo]

I can see the Americans putting conditions on the use of their drones, but I can also see the Ukrainians ignoring those conditions. This is what could affect the supply of further Phoenix Ghost drones.

You can't fault the strategy of Ukraine. Let's hope Russia doesn't find a way round having no money to pay for more weapons - with the use of threats, blackmail, strong arm tactics etc. I understand that when they imported gasoline from Belarus, to keep the show on the road, 'talks were difficult'. This is a good sign. It will have poisoned the well of trust and goodwill.

Yes, the US might slow down the supply of their drones. I imagine that Ukraine is working on a back up for that, but it won't be easy.
Seems that Belarus wants some benefit from the current situation, maybe not just a100% willing lapdog for Russia now .

 

[raymondo]

Quick question- because I’ve not been following developments as closely as you guys have - Both Italy fighter jets and Polish Fighter jets have been in the air today intercepting ‘Russian planes’ over the Baltic Sea and along the Polish-Ukraine border respectively. Is this ‘business as normal’ or is this an escalation of activity in recent days? Surely the chances of direct confrontation increases due to the increased risk of mis-communication and accidents associated with such close proximity flying?

I seem to remember before the war this was a fairly regular occurrence around the British coastline, with our jets regularly scrambling to go up and meet them.

I'm unaware if anything unusual prompted the report of the interception from Polish and Italian jets - just that the Russian pilots didn't respond to requests for comms and Id (or similar). I would think that's fairly normal daily/weekly occurrence at the moment.

 

[papachris]

I seem to remember before the war this was a fairly regular occurrence around the British coastline, with our jets regularly scrambling to go up and meet them.

I'm unaware if anything unusual prompted the report of the interception from Polish and Italian jets - just that the Russian pilots didn't respond to requests for comms and Id (or similar). I would think that's fairly normal daily/weekly occurrence at the moment.

I have lived in Estonia for 3 years and it's been a fairly regular occurance during this time. The fact that it's Italian and Polish planes means that they are covering the baltic states at this time. It's previously been germany or the raf for instance. Normally they are based at Amari here in Estonia but that is currently undergoing renovations so they are flying out of Latvia.

 

[Zeberdi]

I have lived in Estonia for 3 years and it's been a fairly regular occurance during this time. The fact that it's Italian and Polish planes means that they are covering the baltic states at this time. It's previously been germany or the raf for instance. Normally they are based at Tapa here in Estonia but that is currently undergoing renovations so they are flying out of Latvia.

I live on the Norfolk/Suffolk border surrounded by airbases - The skies seem so quiet here compared to what they were when I moved here 6 years ago and especially compared to the early days of the war when you could hardly hear yourself think. I can only assume far greater numbers of USAF/RAF jets from Norfolk and Suffolk are now stationed on temporary deployments in Poland and other NATO border countries than there were a few years ago and the exercises are taking place in Europe instead of over the skies in Suffolk/Norfolk borders.

Britain to increase fighter jet presence in Poland and Romania

Typhoon jets and Voyager tankers will support continuous NATO air policing efforts over Poland and Romania.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[raymondo]

 

[peterward]

In the alternative universe of make believe.......

 

[raymondo]

In the alternative universe of make believe.......

Wow...the gold epaulettes and gold shield make it sound very official

 

[raymondo]

The first 5 mins is worth a close listen: confirmation from Zekenskiy that the US wants Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries and energy infrastructure (it's ok the other way round though ), plus a mention that the US won't supply more
ATACMS to Ukraine...if I heard correctly.

It's going to be a really hard, long run up to the US election... hopefully the UK and Europe will show more backbone.

 

[Eric the meek]

It's going to be a really hard, long run up to the US election... hopefully the UK and Europe will show more backbone.

I've no real words of comfort Raymondo; I find it quite difficult to believe.

Neither clearly can Denys. Which is why (and I appreciate this is wishful thinking), I'm holding out a for a small chance of a reversal of this decision, or that it is part of an elaborate deceit by Ukraine and the US.

Or perhaps the US is privy to some undisclosed intelligence that indicates a change of tack. There may be a different plan on the way.

Yes, it's going to be hard. Which will make the final victory for Ukraine all the sweeter.

 

[raymondo]

I've no real words of comfort Raymondo; I find it quite difficult to believe.

Neither clearly can Denys. Which is why (and I appreciate this is wishful thinking), I'm holding out a for a small chance of a reversal of this decision, or that it is part of an elaborate deceit by Ukraine and the US.

Or perhaps the US is privy to some undisclosed intelligence that indicates a change of tack. There may be a different plan on the way.

Yes, it's going to be hard. Which will make the final victory for Ukraine all the sweeter.

Well yes @Eric the meek , it was a pretty despondent watch, after the joy of watching how Russia shot down one of their own jets yesterday.
Like you, I've been wondering/hoping it's a deceit: "gosh we're trying hard to hold back Ukraine....",(psst, Zekenskiy, just carry on and we'll send more Ghost drones).
It's election year, and I think most else will be subordinated to that event...sadly.

 

[raymondo]

 

[fly high]

Depressingly he is probably right. If only we had given Ukraine the right tools from the start but everyone was shit scared what would happen if we did, well it may be coming anyway and Russia have now had time to expand their weapons production.

 

[raymondo]

I'm glad that Tusk is back in the game. He'll call things out as he sees them, a straight talker I think.

 

[peterward]

 

[Binney on acid]

I suppose that the nearer that you are geographically to Putin's genocide, the more passionately you eulogise about NATO. There are always exceptions, like Belarus, but Lukashenko is merely Russia's puppet, with Putin's hand up his a$$. Tusk has a lot to be worried about.........

 

[sparkie]

Putin back with his nuclear threats. All that bollocks he threatened if we helped Ukraine.
He didn’t back any of it up with action against the West.

Take him out.

4 words : Vanguard, Vigilant, Vengeance, Victorious.

Does the punk called Putin feel lucky ?

I suppose that the nearer that you are geographically to Putin's genocide, the more passionately you eulogise about NATO. There are always exceptions, like Belarus, but Lukashenko is merely Russia's puppet, with Putin's hand up his a$$. Tusk has a lot to be worried about.........

Tusk does have a lot to be worried about.

However it seems that Tusk and Macron are finally seeing the threat.

Even though I detest Starmer's offer as a whole, I hope he falls in behind Poland and France after our election.


Regardless, war with Russia is coming soon. Let's prepare now and crush Moscow when they try.