Russia invades Ukraine

I'm extremely worried about Zelensky's safety here, as from what I've read I believe he's going. I also believe that Russia are planning on sending some insignificant muppets rather than anyone serious. Zelensky has "Lukashenko's word" that nothing untoward will happen. Lukashenko is probably worse than Putin, which takes some doing. However, if they do capture him or worse, then that is likely to start something far more serious.

 

I believe it’s in a border town. But nothing screams ruthless uncompromising despot like beheading the enemies diplomats.

 

I'd hope it's just a PR exercise from Putin so that he can claim he's try to negotiate and blame the failure to reach an agreement on Zelensky

 

Bloody hell, feels like I’m playing a real life version of COD on campaign mode. Crazy.

 

War in Europe, except for in the Balkans in the 90s, Chechnya (also Russia), Georgia (Russia again), Azerbaijan/Armenia (Russia also involved supporting Armenia with arms) and the "Troubles" within the UK and Basque separatists in Spain (last two effectively civil wars)...

And if you are really paranoid/realistic (depending on your point of view), the "Great Information War" for about the last decade where Russia and others have been "influencing" politics throughout the West through a combination of bribery/donations, bot farms and targeted ads on social media.

Oh yeah, the Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy, is the one that Trump was impeached over trying to find dirt on Hunter Biden by threatening to withdold a Congress agreed aid payment.

 

I take your point, but I suppose I meant the threat of not feeling safe in Britain.

 

Ruble at an all time low which will drive bonkers inflation. Weak currency makes imports expensive and exports cheap, less money coming and more going out in. Interest rates up to 20%, I hope Russians aren’t loaned/mortgaged up like we tend to be. No access to foreign reserves, can the Russian banks internally raise enough funds to service a population that will need more money than ever with the rate of inflation? Let’s not forget that war in itself is an expensive business so where do the funds come from?

The Russian population are going to be decimated by this. I can see it going one of two ways, they either see Putin for what he is and rise up against him or believe more of his claptrap that the West have done this to them and make them more determined to fight. The worse off Russians become, the more I can see Putin becoming more and more desperate to prove himself and that’s a terrifying thought. The quicker he is disposed of the better.

 

From when I was born until the mid-90s, life *was* unsafe in Britain - and many of the major cities still have the scars of the IRA bombing campaign. There is a memorial at Hartshead Moor services on the M62, the centre of Manchester was completely rebuilt - and those are just the obvious examples within 40 miles.

 

Anonymous don't mess around. If you support Russia you will be a target.

 

My mum always told me that the IRA threatened to bomb Superdrug in Pontefract in the early nineties.

 

I think I've three thoughts on this. Firstly, the confirmation of the potential damage that markets, legislation and sanctions can have on an individual country, even the size of Russia.

Secondly, the disconnect of the huge impact this will have on innocent, peaceful everyday Russians who don't support Putin, as opposed to the effect on Putin and his cohorts and sympathisers. They will have protected much of the wealth in advance (Putin sailing his yacht out of European territory a prime example) as much as they could, and of course, their wealth in obscene as it is.

And finally, the rising up of so many quarters to try and do whats right. Individuals, neighbours, countries, companies and organisations. But inspite of that, so many who still believe their rhetoric is enough, while actions fall well short (see UK words relating to Ukrainian refugees asking them to apply to be food pickers, and of course... FIFA).

Perhaps one other thing to say loud.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a comedian. But what an incredible person he is showing himself to be. Brave doesn't even start to describe him. I feel proud to be a fellow European.

 

I feel safer in Britain now than I did in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

 

In a surprising move Singapore is applying sanctions on Russia also.
The Govt here usually follow UN on stuff like this.

 

I don't. If Ukraine can't negotiate a truce. It's looking more and more like WW3. He's just been warned about the nuclear threat. He hasn't just his own people to think about now. He's the rest of the world.

It's a 5hit situation he and they find themselves in. However, if the roles were reversed. I'd be letting Russia occupy the country and take power in exchange for the safety of myself and my people.

Putin is a modern day tyrant but I don't think he would go all out for mass genocide of a nation he classes as Russian.

 

Agreed. If he doesn't see a way out for Russia then he will be even more dangerous as a man with nothing left to lose (with all the sanctions in place) and then out come the nuclear bombs to end the lives of billions. That way of thinking has already been said......

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...chief-threatens-West-nuclear-destruction.html

 

Tyrants don't stop.

Ukraine is but one nation that was part of the Soviet Union.

 

Yes and I don't think he'd use Nuclear force in any of those nations either. It was Chernobyl and other things that brought about the collapse of the Soviet Union. If it avoided bloodshed and World War 3 I'd let him have those countries too.

This has all been brought about by the West and it's c ock measuring exercise. We've antagonised Russia like we did with Germany and might pay the ultimate consequence.

 

I wasn’t born until 82 and maybe I was just young and oblivious.