Any civilians to make their own way out in case of invasion, makes sense as no airlift would be viable

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60359400

I am confused as to why an airlift wouldn't be viable, we've been flying C-17s in there most days for some time now. Is it purely down to the SAM/air threat, so couldn't even do it from the furthest airport from the front line? They don't think that an airbridge would be able to be organised with a safe route? Too many people?

They are talking if the invasion takes place, hence all the Russian anti air assets would be active. Ideally I would have thought would be to stick them on the flights removing those in there training their military if there was room.

And as no invasion time has been set you could be caught on the ground loading Civis into your C-17 if it cracked off, I would imagine Russia would be keen to deny any air bridge in or out. Though that might bring in NATO if a NATO members Aircraft is hit.

My worry would be fighting around Chernobyl etc, that could be disastrous to the whole of Europe.

The attack on US utilities, in itself, could be considered an act of war.


https://www.itworldcanada.com/articl...-expert/473065

OK, thanks.

the S400's are already on combat alert in western Belarus (based on Russian statements "due to the exercise"). They have the range all the way to Kiev so it would be very difficult to enter the airspace. Or leave if you happen to be on tarmac loading pax at the moment the action starts.

https://tass.com/defense/1400689

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air missile systems have been put on combat duty at a training range in Belarus’ Brest region as part of the Russian-Belarusian unified regional air defense system during an inspection of the Union State’s troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Michael Kofman, the director of Russia Studies at the Center for Naval Analyses, said the Russia Duma was due to consider recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics on Monday.

“14 February looks like it may offer a basis for Russia to extend security guarantees, and militarily protect those considered to be Russian citizens living in the separatist regions,” Kofman said on Twitter. “This may be interpreted as a clause which formally authorises the Russian state to use force in Ukraine.”

Thats worrying.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60361983

I have to admit I have not read all the previous contributions but looking at today's news I have to ask what the hell are the West doing out there? The President of Ukraine does not seem to be too bothered about the situation and is blaming the West for stirring things up and is sure to blame any of his populations deaths on the West if things kick off.
After listening to his views my own feelings are for us to withdraw and strengthen those former Soviet Satellite Countries who are looking for increased aid from the West in protecting their Borders with Russia and let Ukraine sort it out themselves.

I think that Zelensky is trying to keep things calm and keep a lid on the public panicking at what they're hearing, right up until the point he can't do that any more, or Russian forces are withdrawn (given that backing down and maintaining that it was all an exercise is still an option). He needs to be seen to be reassuring and in control by the public, so some playing down of the situation whilst he can is what he's got. It seems to me that being any more belligerent is not likely to be all that helpful to him. He's got an overwhelming force on his border, they may or may not cross it, refraining from saying 'come and have a go if you think you're hard enough' in public can't hurt.

Lots of ISR flights over Europe (Barents Sea, Med and Black Sea) but none manned over Ukraine in past 24 hours…

Maslovka is on the Ukrainian border and 85 mikes from Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine.

Orac,

At this stage in the proceedings, it is very unlikely that you will be seeing any military assets employed over Ukraine. As I'm sure you know, that does not mean they are not there.

No displays of intentions are necessary anymore.

IG

What do you suggest?
Nuke them?

I believe the US have previously stated they would reply in kind with a “decisive” reciprocal attack.

You have it Nut Loose, that what you suggest in regards to Russia blocking sea trade routes by carrying out manoeuvres was always the basis of any exercises I was involved in, when it comes to Submarines neither the RN or the U.S Navy will disclose where their Submarines are operating , the Russians know that so I take the Russian disclosure about shooing the American Sub off with a "pinch of Salt" at the moment that is until somebody in 20years time writes a book to confirm it really happened and of course if we are all still here! Putin is a Criminal both he and his Cabal are ripping the Russian people off his grab on power and his political moves to make sure he keeps it is very much like Hitler and my worry is that he will use a similar excuse as Hitler did to invade Poland with Putin telling the World that the Russians have invaded Ukraine because the Russian population who still live there are being harassed.
Hopefully Putin will withdraw his Troops from their Exercise and we can all heave a sigh of relief, that is until the next time of course!
Russia and China are in cahoots and I still don't believe that Covid was caused by some Chinese eating Batman.
t

The Russians do indeed have no time for "Air Bridges" which goes back to the Berlin Airlift when MIG's shot down an unarmed Lincoln aircraft and then shot and killed the Aircrew that managed to bail out whilst they were still in their Parachutes.
I would hope that the power plant at Chernobyl is not included in any Bombing/ Bombardment Plan by either side.

You do know that this incident happend in 1953 - nearly four years after the Berlin Airlift ended ...?
Also that it was on a training mission and entered Soviet controlled airspace - nothing to do with any "Air Bridge".

Sorry viewers I stand corrected, scrub my last a mix up on my part as there has been numerous incidents where the Russians do not let any sort of principles stand in their way when it comes to shooting down aircraft either Military or Civilian which has been proved in the past on many occasions.
If I was in Ukraine I would take the Bus out rather than fly.