Is Ukraine about to have a war?
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[QUOTEBaffled by reports that Putin can back down because of “what he has achieved”. What has he achieved?][/QUOTE]
He has successfully taken over Bellarus without firing a shot.
He has successfully taken over Bellarus without firing a shot.

On the flipside, he's also made sustainable (non-fossil) energy more attractive to Western investors, albeit to a lesser extent than if he actually goes ahead with an invasion. The last thing the Russian economy needs is for Western Europe to wean itself off Russian gas...

On the flipside, he's also made sustainable (non-fossil) energy more attractive to Western investors, albeit to a lesser extent than if he actually goes ahead with an invasion. The last thing the Russian economy needs is for Western Europe to wean itself off Russian gas...

Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
ABC News - Russia's parliament asks Putin to recognize breakaway regions in Ukraine
Russia's parliament voted for a law on Tuesday that calls on President Vladimir Putin to recognize two Russian-controlled breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.
The measure is a formal appeal to Putin to recognize the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, in an area of southeastern Ukraine known as the Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists forces have been battling the Ukrainian army since 2014.
Such recognition would open a path for Russia to formally annex the two regions as it did the Crimean Peninsula almost eight years ago. It's now up to Putin to decide whether to go through with it……
———————————-
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said Kiev regards Moscow's recognition of the self-proclaimed republics of Donbass as Russia's withdrawal from the Minsk agreements.
Russia's parliament voted for a law on Tuesday that calls on President Vladimir Putin to recognize two Russian-controlled breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.
The measure is a formal appeal to Putin to recognize the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, in an area of southeastern Ukraine known as the Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists forces have been battling the Ukrainian army since 2014.
Such recognition would open a path for Russia to formally annex the two regions as it did the Crimean Peninsula almost eight years ago. It's now up to Putin to decide whether to go through with it……
———————————-
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said Kiev regards Moscow's recognition of the self-proclaimed republics of Donbass as Russia's withdrawal from the Minsk agreements.

Must be this, someone claims to have found a home made bomb on a trash can and supposedly it's a plot of spies from Ukrainian government intending to cause mayhem.
Believe it if you want.
https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/13715125
Believe it if you want.
https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/13715125

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The Sun, don’t laugh, is saying the War will start at 1am
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/176552...c_article=true
I do hope Russia gets the biggest kicking since WW2
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/176552...c_article=true
RUSSIA is set to invade Ukraine at 1am tomorrow with a massive missile blitz and 200,000 troops, according to US intelligence.
Highly placed sources said preparations to defend the besieged nation would continue - despite reports Putin was withdrawing some troops from the border.
US intelligence said the most likely time for Putin’s order was 3am (1am UK time).
American spooks believe Kyiv’s military and government command and control centres still have a barrage of air strikes before tanks roll over the border.
Russian claimed today to be pulling back around 10,000 troops from its Western and Southern to barracks after military drills.
But around 130,000 remain on Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders with around 40,000 pro-Putin forces in Belarus to the north.
But around 130,000 remain on Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders with around 40,000 pro-Putin forces in Belarus to the north.Another 30,000 pro-Russian separatists were facing Ukraine defenders in the captured Donbas enclave.
And preparations continued apace in Kyiv yesterday as anti-aircraft systems were seen moving into position along with columns of National Guard vehicles.
A military source said: “We cannot take anything that Russia says or does at face value. We have to prepare to defend ourselves.
Highly placed sources said preparations to defend the besieged nation would continue - despite reports Putin was withdrawing some troops from the border.
US intelligence said the most likely time for Putin’s order was 3am (1am UK time).
American spooks believe Kyiv’s military and government command and control centres still have a barrage of air strikes before tanks roll over the border.
Russian claimed today to be pulling back around 10,000 troops from its Western and Southern to barracks after military drills.
But around 130,000 remain on Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders with around 40,000 pro-Putin forces in Belarus to the north.
But around 130,000 remain on Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders with around 40,000 pro-Putin forces in Belarus to the north.Another 30,000 pro-Russian separatists were facing Ukraine defenders in the captured Donbas enclave.
And preparations continued apace in Kyiv yesterday as anti-aircraft systems were seen moving into position along with columns of National Guard vehicles.
A military source said: “We cannot take anything that Russia says or does at face value. We have to prepare to defend ourselves.

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The Sun would have predicted Pearl Harbor.

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Sadly they lost 20m citizens whilst kicking Hitler, so I’m not sure where you’re going with that… If Russia gets ‘kicked’ the collateral damage to Ukraine and Europe (and further afield) is not something I wish to contemplate.
And your first allusion is a huge part of Emperor Vlad’s mindset. Mother Russia has been invaded too often in recent history, and buffer states are a ‘good thing’ in Vlad’s mind.
And your first allusion is a huge part of Emperor Vlad’s mindset. Mother Russia has been invaded too often in recent history, and buffer states are a ‘good thing’ in Vlad’s mind.

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I mean as in they lose so much armour, aircraft and materials and are so heavily sanctioned that they never ever consider this course of action ever again.

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Ukraine has sent out a request for assistance to EADRCC.
The list of requested equipment is worrying, from basic wound treatmemt kits such as hemostatics to field camps and water trucks. List to be found from the link underneath.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine is preparing for large-scale emergencies of various nature that can affect its civilian population. In accordance with the procedures at reference, the EADRCC has received on 15 February 2022, a request for international assistance by Ukraine.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_191889.htm
The list of requested equipment is worrying, from basic wound treatmemt kits such as hemostatics to field camps and water trucks. List to be found from the link underneath.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine is preparing for large-scale emergencies of various nature that can affect its civilian population. In accordance with the procedures at reference, the EADRCC has received on 15 February 2022, a request for international assistance by Ukraine.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_191889.htm

I'd predict early losses would be bearable for them.
I think they'll smash the Ukraine airforce.
Ukraine manpads aren't useful against anything flying above FL15-20.
Ukraine airbases will be put out of action, and aircraft destroyed on the ground or in the air.
Russia has overwhelming superiority in troops and tank numbers.
Do they care if they lose a few in the opening hours?
Nyet comrade.
I think the real cost to Russian would probably be an ongoing Chechnya like occupation.
An ugly, cold meat grinder on their western border over coming weeks, months and possibly years that consumes soldiers as young Russian boys and girls are picked off by snipers from the windows of shattered buildings.
Does Vladimir Vladimirovich care about that?
Probably not.

They were due to have invaded by now - don’t tell
me this was just escalated by Biden and others hoping to cash in some diplomatic credibility when the threatened never actually materialised, which they’ll ultimately claim the credit for?
never believe you….
me this was just escalated by Biden and others hoping to cash in some diplomatic credibility when the threatened never actually materialised, which they’ll ultimately claim the credit for?
never believe you….

Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
The fruits of Russia’s “victory”….
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/n...rder-qj6lg25vp
Nato risks Russian anger with plan to deploy 4,000 troops on border
Nato is drawing up long-term plans to reinforce the alliance’s southeastern flank against Russian aggression with up to four new battlegroups, starting with a deployment to Romania. Defence ministers will discuss the plan in Brussels today in what would be Nato’s biggest escalation of “force posture” against Russia in six years.
Moscow will be angered by the proposal, which has yet to be formally agreed by Nato, because it clashes with Russian demands for the alliance to withdraw troops from eastern Europe.
Military planners are examining the deployment of four multinational battle groups of 1,000 troops each to Romania and Bulgaria, possibly followed by Slovakia and Hungary. There are fears in the latter two countries that the new deployments would enrage Moscow.
Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, described the latest proposals, on top of recent reinforcements in the region, as a consequence of the “lasting impact of the security situation in Europe” of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“Nato defence ministers will address the need to further increase our defensive posture,” he said. “Nato is not only responding to the current crisis but we are also going to consider more long-term adjustments to our posture in the east.”
The plans are an extension of the “enhanced forward presence” deployment of battle groups in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland which are backed by tanks, air defences and intelligence and surveillance units….
Alliance defence ministers are expected to agree to the first step of directing military commanders to come up with a detailed plan for the four battle groups. A senior Nato diplomat said: “There will be a tasking that allows us to escalate but also to de-escalate if Russia pulls back its military.”
The new battle groups are a longer-term shift on top of ground and air reinforcements from Britain, the US, which is sending 2,000 troops to Romania, and other Nato allies….
French officials said that designing the new battle groups and their composition would take time after agreement by Nato ministers. “We are basically aiming for a deadline of a few months,” an official said.….
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/n...rder-qj6lg25vp
Nato risks Russian anger with plan to deploy 4,000 troops on border
Nato is drawing up long-term plans to reinforce the alliance’s southeastern flank against Russian aggression with up to four new battlegroups, starting with a deployment to Romania. Defence ministers will discuss the plan in Brussels today in what would be Nato’s biggest escalation of “force posture” against Russia in six years.
Moscow will be angered by the proposal, which has yet to be formally agreed by Nato, because it clashes with Russian demands for the alliance to withdraw troops from eastern Europe.
Military planners are examining the deployment of four multinational battle groups of 1,000 troops each to Romania and Bulgaria, possibly followed by Slovakia and Hungary. There are fears in the latter two countries that the new deployments would enrage Moscow.
Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, described the latest proposals, on top of recent reinforcements in the region, as a consequence of the “lasting impact of the security situation in Europe” of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“Nato defence ministers will address the need to further increase our defensive posture,” he said. “Nato is not only responding to the current crisis but we are also going to consider more long-term adjustments to our posture in the east.”
The plans are an extension of the “enhanced forward presence” deployment of battle groups in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland which are backed by tanks, air defences and intelligence and surveillance units….
Alliance defence ministers are expected to agree to the first step of directing military commanders to come up with a detailed plan for the four battle groups. A senior Nato diplomat said: “There will be a tasking that allows us to escalate but also to de-escalate if Russia pulls back its military.”
The new battle groups are a longer-term shift on top of ground and air reinforcements from Britain, the US, which is sending 2,000 troops to Romania, and other Nato allies….
French officials said that designing the new battle groups and their composition would take time after agreement by Nato ministers. “We are basically aiming for a deadline of a few months,” an official said.….

Sadly, as an uninformed observer, it would appear that initially, Russia will quickly overwhelm Ukrainian forces.
I'd predict early losses would be bearable for them.
I think they'll smash the Ukraine airforce.
Ukraine manpads aren't useful against anything flying above FL15-20.
Ukraine airbases will be put out of action, and aircraft destroyed on the ground or in the air.
Russia has overwhelming superiority in troops and tank numbers.
Do they care if they lose a few in the opening hours?
Nyet comrade.
I'd predict early losses would be bearable for them.
I think they'll smash the Ukraine airforce.
Ukraine manpads aren't useful against anything flying above FL15-20.
Ukraine airbases will be put out of action, and aircraft destroyed on the ground or in the air.
Russia has overwhelming superiority in troops and tank numbers.
Do they care if they lose a few in the opening hours?
Nyet comrade.
I think the real cost to Russian would probably be an ongoing Chechnya like occupation.
An ugly, cold meat grinder on their western border over coming weeks, months and possibly years that consumes soldiers as young Russian boys and girls are picked off by snipers from the windows of shattered buildings.
An ugly, cold meat grinder on their western border over coming weeks, months and possibly years that consumes soldiers as young Russian boys and girls are picked off by snipers from the windows of shattered buildings.
We have to remeber that Ukraine is almost one third the population of Russia, so a totally different beast compared to Chechnya or Georgia.
Does Vladimir Vladimirovich care about that?
Probably not.
Probably not.
I do not entirely agree. While personally he won't care much he would be forced by his own population to care in such a case.
