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

[peterward]

Ok, I did post earlier a link where the Ukrainian government is asking for donations directly to help the Ukrainian military with aid, including humanitarian.

https://bank.gov.ua/ua/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-vidkriv-spetsrahunok-dlya-zboru-koshtiv-na-potrebi-armiyi

That is a little more difficult as its transfers by IBAN, so here is a just giving page, where all proceeds will be sent direct to that GBP IBAN.

These are difficult times financially so many may not have any money available, but if that is the case, without pressure, if there is the chance you could at least share on your social media (facebook, twitter etc), that may help to raise awareness and hope fully others may be able to help a little for those fighting Putin.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ukrainian-military

Slava Ukraini

 

[Solid at the back]

As well as his brother Wladimir, and Oleksandr Usyk.
Just incredible heart.
Absolute admiration and hope for them.

These guys are built differently. Just incredible bravery.

 

[rogersix]

Agreed, that’s why i asked earlier for best coverage. Sky news and CNN both seem very tame and you wouldn’t know just how severe it is from just those alone. Where’s all the public footage?

could you not annihilate your action man dollies instead?

 

[Insel affe]

Maybe it’s just me, but this coverage is pathetic and seems like sports coverage, maybe I’m getting old, just seems very crass & cheap.


https://youtu.be/devFMPdrlkY

 

[Juan Albion]

Almost constant explosions now being heard in central Kyiv.

 

[StonehamPark]

Make no mistake, this is absolutely incredible. Astonishingly brave.

We are talking here about multi-millionaires with fantastic lifestyles. With wives, with children. They have the ability to exist, with or without the sovereignty of their nation. They have no need to do this. All could have been on a private jet days ago. If it is true that Usyk is actively fighting, it is even more incredible - he’s proactively travelled back to his home country when many are understandably trying to flee.

They have balls bigger than I will ever own. I couldn’t have more respect, or hope for them.

Perfectly put.
Yes Usyk is over there too, a few photos of him with a unit wearing full gear.

I was told Lomachenko is also there, but I've not seen or heard much else about it.

 

[willalbion]

China have abstained in the vote.

Any idea why India & the UAE also abstained? I've always loved India (until Modi) don't get why they won't call Vlad deplorable.

 

[hart's shirt]

"Mayor Vitali Klitschko, a former boxing champion now armed and in uniform"

 

[willalbion]

India, like China, has some relations with Moscow and they might have been hoping for their support. It’s less blunt than a vote against, but in many ways your friends not backing you is more of a powerful statement than your enemies attacking you. Clearly India have no desire to back Russia at this time.

Don’t know enough about the UAE and their international stance, but there’s plenty of western money there as well as Russian money, so they’re probably trying to stay out of things. The Switzerland role.

Cheers

 

[Juan Albion]

I'm watching a livestream from central Kyiv and if you turn the audio up loud, someone is belting out "House Of The Rising Sun" acapella. Surreal.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Basically indicates not going as well as Putin would hope, badly planned logistic wise and possibly facing more resistance from civilians than expected. Plus Russian forces on the ground possibly demotivated / demoralised with not all expecting they were going to war to fight their own.

But some caution as expected significant numbers could still be 20km away from Kiev so could quickly change

Thank you

 

[Hugo Rune]

India, like China, has some relations with Moscow and they might have been hoping for their support. It’s less blunt than a vote against, but in many ways your friends not backing you is more of a powerful statement than your enemies attacking you. Clearly India have no desire to back Russia at this time.

India are not going to bite the hand that feeds them (arms):

“For the time being, though, Indian demand for Russian arms remains. This is highlighted by two deals India and Russia have signed, which incidentally were not included in SIPRI’s report since deliveries of these systems have not yet taken place. First is the acquisition of the S-400 Triumf air defence systems worth US$ 5.43 billion. Signed in October 2018, deliveries are expected to start by the end of this year. Second is the leasing of an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, slated to be delivered by 2025. Signed in March 2019, this deal is worth US$ 3 billion.”
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-evolving-landscape-of-indias-arms-trade/?amp

 

[wellquickwoody]

View attachment 145488

Grow up, cheap political point scoring is achieving nothing right now.

 

[clapham_gull]

Grow up, cheap political point scoring is achieving nothing right now.

Yes, but London (and our political classes) are awash with Putin endorsed investment. It's all part of the mix. Those very individual they have courted are the very ones the Government are looking at to get at Putin.

The Conservative Party know very well they have allowed a very serious problem to build up unchecked and ministerial defences have been remarkably muted compared to party gate.

Except of course James Cleverly who bizarrely accused David Lammy of "racism" on Question Time last night for calling it out.

He's a funny one James Cleverly. He's quite sincere most of the time then completely loses it when cornered.

 

[wellquickwoody]

I'm watching a livestream from central Kyiv and if you turn the audio up loud, someone is belting out "House Of The Rising Sun" acapella. Surreal.

Link?

 

[Juan Albion]

Definitely hearing small arms fire now, loud and clear near the centre of Kyiv. That is not good at all.

 

[Juan Albion]

Link?

This is Independence Square. Left of centre on the far side is a McDonalds. Kinda brings home that this is not so different from where we live.

 

[wellquickwoody]

This is Independence Square. Left of centre on the far side is a McDonalds. Kinda brings home that this is not so different from where we live.

Thank you. I may be on the other side of the world but seeing this happen in Europe after all this time is heartbreaking.

 

[Juan Albion]

Thank you. I may be on the other side of the world but seeing this happen in Europe after all this time is heartbreaking.

It's all gone quiet for the moment, but it does that. You hear nothing for 15 minutes and then gunfire, or more often, distant explosions. But five minutes ago there was a burst of automatic gunfire that sounded about a block away. Hopefully they won't damage the many museums in that area, including the Museum of Jellyfish, which is just out of shot to the right, or the Museum of Toilet History which is about a mile away.

 

[peterward]

Breaking on the sky news live ticker.

Kazakhstan rejects Russian request for troops
Kazakhstan, one of Russia's closest allies and a southern neighbour, is denying a request for its troops to join the offensive in Ukraine, our US partner NBC reports.

The former Soviet republic also said it is not recognising the Russia-created breakaway republics upheld by Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, as a pretext for its aggression in Ukraine.

Despite ceasefire accords covering the disputed land, Mr Putin declared Russia's recognition of Luhansk People's Republic (LNR) and the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) as independent states on Monday.

The surprising development from a traditional ally of Russia has the support of the United States.

"We welcome Kazakhstan’s announcement that they will not recognize the LPR and DPR," the National Security Council said in a statement. "We also welcome Kazakhstan’s refusal to send its forces to join Putin's war in Ukraine."