The Ukraine Situation

[colp]

I know we already know he's insane. But only two words required to this one!

President Putin has warned those opposing Russia's actions in Ukraine "not to exacerbate the situation" by imposing more restrictions on his country.

The Russian president was speaking at a government meeting broadcast on the state-controlled Rossiya 24 news channel.

"We have no ill intentions against our neighbours," Putin claims.
And he says his government sees "no need" for its neighbours to take further action that will "make our relations worse".
"I think everyone must think about how to normalise relations, co-operate normally and develop relations normally," he adds.
It comes as foreign ministers from across the West gather in Brussels to consider how to maintain pressure on Russia.
Putin also repeats his previous claim that all action taken by the Russian military so far has been made "exclusively in response to some unfriendly actions against the Russian Federation".

[colp]

The UN Human Rights Council has overwhelmingly backed a resolution condemning the Russian invasion and setting up a commission to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Russia was left completely isolated, with only one other member state – Eritrea, voting against the resolution.
A commission of inquiry is the highest level of investigation the council can order – there is one for Syria, now there will be one over Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
The outcome of the vote - 32 in favour, 2 against, and 13 abstentions - is a humiliation for Moscow.
China, Cuba, or Venezuela can usually be relied upon to back Russia - this time they abstained.
But some states voting in favour of the resolution, which was put forward by Ukraine with the support of the UK and the US, expressed unease that its wording was one-sided.

Can someone enlighten me on why Eritrea would vote against it, just curious, I know little about the country?!

[Surrey Sam]

Sky News team ambushed and shot at - https://news.sky.com/story/sky-news-tea ... k-12557585

These journalists need a medal for bringing this war to our televisions and mobile devices

[profile_m]

As this horror unfolds on our own continent, I’m struggling to understand whether I feel more appalled by what is happening to innocent civilians, or at the West allowing it to continue. Despite unprecedented sanctions and the supply of huge amounts of weapons, civilians are being slaughtered in Europe in ever-increasing numbers.

What is the point in NATO or our vast militaries if a madman can commit genocide here in Europe safe in the knowledge that no-one is going to do anything about it? Ukraine may not be a member of NATO, but is there not a moral imperative to do the right thing here, regardless of whether a country is or is not part of some treaty or agreement? How many atrocities are committed before we say enough is enough? And what kind of signal does it send to Putin and all the others like him if the West, despite our epic military capabilities, is impotent in the face of this appalling evil? Chechnya, Syria, Crimea, Ukraine and then where?….

I am genuinely interested in people’s thoughts on this.

I completely agree but I understand why we’re not going in. It doesn’t sit right regardless!

[binbrook87]

It's an impossible situation with so many soul searching questions and dilemmas. I'm a firm believer in strong defence and the nuclear deterrence, but now even I'm beginning to think what is the point of the NATO alliance if not to protect Europe from this kind of war? Does it mean that if you're not a member of the NATO club...you don't warrant any protection at all? Well that isn't true because NATO has intervened outside of it's jurisdiction in the past...in the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Libya...yes we had a vested interest, but none of these were NATO members. So does that mean NATO would only get involved in a conflict if there's no risk of retaliation? What would NATO do if Russia would attack Sweden or Finland? Where does that leave NATOs own deterrence policy in the eyes of Russia, China, North Korea etc? Putin clearly didn't think there was enough of a deterrence or else he may not have gambled with an invasion.

If NATO does intervene in Ukraine we do risk a wider European war for sure, and it could become nuclear which nobody wants, so unfortunately Ukraine will be left to fend for itself to save our own skins. Sure... we're arming them now it's too late just to have a clear conscience, but will it effect the outcome? We should have acted decisively after Putin took Crimea, building up Ukraine with a strong military defence and deterrence. If they'd possessed let's say an air defence of first generation F-16s etc they would also be in a better position for replenishments from NATO now, rather than having to rely on the few NATO countries that still operate the dwindling numbers of MIG 29s and SU-25s that are probably the only practical front line aircraft that can be integrated easily into the Ukrainian Air Force now.

I don't have the answers and I don't envy the politicians who have to manage this situation.

I just hope we're not making the same mistake that we made over Czechoslovakia in 1939.....and history doesn't repeat itself.

[pg1610]

Some interesting pieces about the Russian Air Force

https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/04/r ... n-ukraine/


https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/p ... operations


Also it has now been reported that Ukraine will not be getting the proposed MIGS/SU etc that the EU promised

https://theaviationist.com/2022/03/03/u ... hter-jets/

[slogen51]

NATO spokesman Dylan P White

@NATO's “core task is to keep our 30 nations safe. We are not part of this conflict. And we have a responsibility to ensure it does not escalate & spread beyond #Ukraine, because that would be even more devastating & dangerous, with even more human suffering.”


NATO
It is often said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. This is only partially true. In fact, the Alliance’s creation was part of a broader effort to serve three purposes: deterring Soviet expansionism, forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent, and encouraging European political integration.

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/decl ... 139339.htm

...During this time, NATO adopted the strategic doctrine of "Massive Retaliation” – if the Soviet Union attacked, NATO would respond with nuclear weapons. The intended effect of this doctrine was to deter either side from risk-taking since any attack, however small, could have led to a full nuclear exchange. Simultaneously, "Massive Retaliation” allowed Alliance members to focus their energies on economic growth rather than on maintaining large conventional armies.

[pg1610]

News organizations suspending reporting in Russia

- ABC News
- BBC
- Bloomberg
- CBC
- CNS News
- CNN
- Financial Times

[pg1610]

Russia has declared a ceasefire from 7am GMT to open civilian evacuation corridors

Russia ceasefire to facilitate civilian evacuations from Mariupol and Volnovakha

[baz1]

and all this caused by one person holding the world to ransom!!

[pg1610]

Russia has declared a ceasefire from 7am GMT to open civilian evacuation corridors

Russia ceasefire to facilitate civilian evacuations from Mariupol and Volnovakha

Which seems to have failed already, guess Moscow failed to inform it's troops on the area of its own ceasefire

[Blackcat1]

Looks like a Russian Hind shot down.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-60630352

No sympathy after reading about them slaughtering a Ukrainian family and their baby boy. Just darn cruel. Theres a special
place in hell for these bastards .

[slogen51]

Finland are discussing NATO - no Rubber dog muck Sherlock!

A historic shift is taking place in Finland. For the first time, most Finns want to join NATO. Across the Baltic Sea, Swedes are becoming more favorable towards membership as well. Sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/n ... -nato-now/

[pg1610]

Finland are discussing NATO - no Rubber dog muck Sherlock!

A historic shift is taking place in Finland. For the first time, most Finns want to join NATO. Across the Baltic Sea, Swedes are becoming more favorable towards membership as well. Sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/n ... -nato-now/

Sparked more likely by the Threats Mr Putin made towards Finland/Sweden if they were to join NATO

[pg1610]

Does Russia(well Mr Putin) want conflict with the west, I am not so sure

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60633482

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described sanctions imposed by Western nations over his invasion of Ukraine as "akin to a declaration of war".

"But thank God it has not come to that," he added.


that last line is very interesting , far less confrontational

[pg1610]

Humor even in wartime

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... m2=twitter

[colp]

I believe Georgia were also looking at joining NATO. Knowing Pukeking he'll attack his "mates" Belarus next. He's a nice chap.

[pg1610]

Russian Air Force losses over #Ukraine in the past 26 hours:

- 1x Su-30SM multirole aircraft (pictured)
- 1 Su-34 strike aircraft
- 2 Su-25 close air support aircraft
- 2 Mi-24/35 attack helicopters
- 1 Mi-8 transport helicopter
- 1 Orlan-10 UAV

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FNF1mOtXEAc ... name=small

above information and various other aviation items incl pics of the downed SU34

https://twitter.com/TheAviationist

[colp]

Does Russia(well Mr Putin) want conflict with the west, I am not so sure

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60633482

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described sanctions imposed by Western nations over his invasion of Ukraine as "akin to a declaration of war".

"But thank God it has not come to that," he added.


that last line is very interesting , far less confrontational

Maybe he said the last line in Russian and they left the "yet" bit off the end

[Pune]

Humor even in wartime

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... m2=twitter

Brilliant