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

[schmunk]

I would throw every Russian and Belarussian sports person out of every world sports competition if I had the power. But the
sports bodies feel it's unfair to mix sport with politics. But let's forget about the Ukrainian and Russian athletes (in fairness) killed in action
in this ridiculous war shall we.

Would you think it fair if you travelled to Europe and every hotel, shop and restaurant refused you service, calling you a Brexity Wanker?

 

[A1X]

Would you think it fair if you travelled to Europe and every hotel, shop and restaurant refused you service, calling you a Brexity Wanker?

Listen, I’m incredibly anti-Brexit but even I will admit it wasn’t as bad as invading Ukraine

 

[essbee1]

Would you think it fair if you travelled to Europe and every hotel, shop and restaurant refused you service, calling you a Brexity Wanker?

Your original post was naive and so was that.

 

[schmunk]

Your original post was naive and so was that.

How so?

 

[essbee1]

How so?

I give up.

 

[schmunk]

I give up.

Well, you've hardly expanded your argument beyond "all Russians should suffer for their government's actions".

 

[essbee1]

Well, you've hardly expanded your argument beyond "all Russians should suffer for their government's actions".

It's not worth the effort to be honest mate,

 

[schmunk]

It's not worth the effort to be honest mate,

Indeed.

 

[raymondo]

Steve Rosenberg walks his tightrope. I hope Alexandra stays safe and can reopen her library
BBC News - 'Russia now is like 1984': Inside a Russian dystopian library - BBC News

'Russia now is like 1984': Inside a Russian dystopian library

Deep in Putin's Russia, Ivanovo's George Orwell library is still lending books on totalitarianism.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[papachris]

Steve Rosenberg walks his tightrope. I hope Alexandra stays safe and can reopen her library
BBC News - 'Russia now is like 1984': Inside a Russian dystopian library - BBC News

'Russia now is like 1984': Inside a Russian dystopian library

Deep in Putin's Russia, Ivanovo's George Orwell library is still lending books on totalitarianism.

www.bbc.co.uk

I do worry for Steve Rosenberg. An incredibly difficult and potentially dangerous job

 

[Eric the meek]

I do worry for Steve Rosenberg. An incredibly difficult and potentially dangerous job

Yes. If, as I suspect, things will become more and more desperate for Russia, they will take hostages to bargain with.

 

[raymondo]

I do worry for Steve Rosenberg. An incredibly difficult and potentially dangerous job

Yes, indeed. I think he's had enough experience to know the limits...but he seems to push the boundaries more. But that's good, I reckon, the worse that will happen is he'll be kicked out.

I also wouldn't be surprised if he has some 'friends' in high places there.

 

[Nobby]

Why in dog's name shouldn't he?

I think it’s maybe because Russians shouldn’t be allowed out of their cesspit of a country until their Dictatorship stops killing raping and bombing innocents
Might send a message to ordinary Russians - what do you reckon?
But probably not seeing as even people here don’t see anything wrong with it!

 

[essbee1]

Indeed.

I think it’s maybe because Russians shouldn’t be allowed out of their cesspit of a country until their Dictatorship stops killing raping and bombing innocents
Might send a message to ordinary Russians - what do you reckon?
But probably not seeing as even people here don’t see anything wrong with it!

Try explaining that to obvious dullards Nobby.

 

[schmunk]

Try explaining that to obvious dullards Nobby.

Charming...

 

[Binney on acid]

Superb journalism from Steve Rosenberg. You'd have to be very brave to work in that dystopian library.

 

[sparkie]

And with 1000 taxpayers dying every day this won't help rebuild the state finances

It needs to up its Inheritance Tax game.

 

[raymondo]

From the Washington Post:
"Russia is co-opting far-right politicians in Europe with cash, officials say. Our colleagues Catherine Belton and Souad Mekhennet report that a Kremlin-backed media outlet, the Prague-based Voice of Europe, is being used to funnel hundreds of thousands of euros to dozens of far-right politicians in more than five countries to plant Kremlin propaganda in Western media that would sow division in Europe and bolster the position of pro-Russian candidates in this week’s European Parliament elections, according to interviews with a dozen European intelligence officials from five countries. "

 

[Eric the meek]

From the Washington Post:
"Russia is co-opting far-right politicians in Europe with cash, officials say. Our colleagues Catherine Belton and Souad Mekhennet report that a Kremlin-backed media outlet, the Prague-based Voice of Europe, is being used to funnel hundreds of thousands of euros to dozens of far-right politicians in more than five countries to plant Kremlin propaganda in Western media that would sow division in Europe and bolster the position of pro-Russian candidates in this week’s European Parliament elections, according to interviews with a dozen European intelligence officials from five countries. "

I remember an article from the Royal United Services Institute back in 2022. It suggested that as Russia was struggling in the ground war, we should expect it to develop alternative fronts - cyber warfare, sabotage, foment political unrest etc. How right they were.

Incoming.....

 

[Eric the meek]

The war just came a bit closer - France, Britain and Norway search for Russian submarine off Ireland's west coast.

European intelligence agencies believe that Russia is preparing acts of sabotage in EU member states in the lead up to the European elections on June 7th.
One area of concern is the west coast of Ireland, which 'is a “central node” in a network of sub-sea cables crossing the globe.

France, Britain and Norway Search for Russian Submarine off Irish West Coast

Ireland is a “central node” in a network of sub-sea cables crossing the globe

afloat.ie