War in Europe

[Batch]

It doesn't look like Putin is preparing for peace

if he can get a split of the Ukraine so some is given to Russia will that be enough ?

if imagine a massive convoy heading to the capital will help apply pressure

[Jimmy Quinn]

That's an intriguing question but not sure the Ukrainians want to give anything up and wil fight to the death literally. It's interesting that Russia haven't really attacked much from the air apart from cruise missiles and rockets.

[McGurk's Missus]

Lots of posturing from Putin regarding nukes. As for Belarus "joining" Russia with troops - biggest of all soapy titwanks ever. Plus it's more likely Putin "ordered" them to join.

I think context here is that the only countries Putin really can land grab are either historically weak, former soviet or very small in a political sense (Georgia, Moldova (but he's need to already have control of Ukraine for this) or Belarus) and non-NATO. He's literally just a bit of an unhinged bully who doesn't like democracy.

He won't (I'm 95% sure, there is a tiny smidge of doubt) attack a NATO nation or he would have gone after Latvia or Estonia. Considering there are not many other realistic border options to bully (Rule out China and USA straight away), it would only leave Turkey (has to have Georgia first) and there is not a cat in hell's chance Erdogan would let that happen - he's more likely to retaliate firmly and with the backing of NATO forces it just isn't happening.

I also think that if he opted to order his "excursions" be taken further east, the weaker this "war" on Russia's position becomes. As I said - it comes back to posturing.

Other than getting some agreements that suit him - I can't see much else that Putin gets out of this (talk is cheap, you can demean the "west" for all eternity and spout about it but it means nothing) other than trying to take away the democratisation/sovereignty of a (clutch of) nation(s) which used to be part of the Soviet state. Which of course is unfortunate for that/those bloody nation(s) but in the larger political and economical world it won't bear any economical fruit for Russia.

Unless he's planning on having some huge Russian, state owned wheat producing factory to supply the world with "Putinabix" or "Putin's - The Oligarch's Flour of choice (with Royal seal of approval)" then there really isn't much of a win out of this other than an incredibly narcissistic and sociopathic one. If he did somehow achieved this, I hope the majority of the world leaders turn around and says "Ahh Putes mate, most of us are declaring ourselves celiac now, we don't need your worthless flour, sorry pal".

Putin is coming across as pretty much a scorned ex that can't let go of others making progress so will try anything to stop them - like asking his wimpy mate (that's Belarus) to help out.

All sarcasm, satire and things aside - I genuinely do feel for the people it is impacting the most - the lives that have been lost in Kharkiv and will be lost there and elsewhere for a little while longer. Having watched (and spoken to several) possibly a couple hundred clips over this weekend, of people in Kharkiv documenting this conflict in real time and I will say very much different to that of the main news networks. I can only be personally astounded at the bravery, stoicism and importance that their footage has meant in much more than just "trying times" for them. The sadness of not knowing if these people will even get the opportunity to document again - this is why I herald their bravery, normal citizens just like you or I but they are informing and thinking of the world in a wider sense when at this moment no one would begrudge them for only thinking of themselves; yet they choose to show us what is really happening and their own personal struggles.

I hope when this is all done I can visit some of those people that I have spoken to and get chance to listen to their story first hand. Hopefully that will be in something that looks like a largely "free" Ukraine and where their citizens feel safe to live and call home x

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

https://twitter.com/johnnymerceruk/status/1498027274683174913?s=24

[mystical_goat]

It looks like the hacking group anonymous have been Ukraine's greatest ally taking down several russian govt depts, Russia today was playing the Ukraine national anthem and they've stopped access to pornhub from russians.

Even better was the best thing they did. Hacked ALL the National tv channels and made all of them simulatanoeusly play the real news about what has gone on in Ukraine so far.

[McGurk's Missus]

That's an intriguing question but not sure the Ukrainians want to give anything up and wil fight to the death literally. It's interesting that Russia haven't really attacked much from the air apart from cruise missiles and rockets.

Rules of engagement technically wouldn't apply if this strategy had to be undertaken to deter the advancement of Putin's convoy...not my words but a friend who was a former WSO in the RAF.

Something like a nice strategic (and non civilian risking) Taurus ASM decoy sent out about 4 or 5 miles ahead of that convoy would scupper things for a bit with the message of "Oh whoops, it appears your route is going to be blocked Putin mate".

 I'm sure that the possibility of options like this have been considered/looked at and he did say it with a chunk of salt pouring from his palms

[fuzzy]

I wonder if Vlad understands that, despite all his posturing and rhetoric about his actions being taken to secure the security of Russia, the biggest threat to the security of Russia is its president?

[Nemo]

they've stopped access to pornhub from russians.

Talk about hitting them where it hurts.

[horlock07]

Putin has instigated quite the change and not what I suspect he calculated would happen.

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1498101441814310914.html

[Jimmy Quinn]

I'm surprised Russia haven't attacked from the air making easier for their ground troops to progress

[tans]

Roman Abramovich involved in ‘Peace talks’ with Ukraine

[Boy About Town]

Roman Abramovich involved in ‘Peace talks’ with Ukraine

Thinks he is some billy big.....

[Legends-Lounge]

I'm surprised Russia haven't attacked from the air making easier for their ground troops to progress

The death toll…

[Jimmy Quinn]

The death toll…

I didn't put Putin down as the sensitive type!

[Samdy Gray]

Roman Abramovich involved in ‘Peace talks’ with Ukraine

Given that him and the rest of the oligarchy are probably bank rolling the war, and likely to have to prop up the country for the foreseeable, he might want it over sooner rather than later.