The reality is that most of what gets broadcast across social media for the next however long will be false. The first casuality in war is always truth, and that's augmented by the worst impulses of Twitter etc, which will always amplify anything that *feels* right. And that doesn't just go for the Russian side. Twitter is awash with talk about the Ghost of Kyiv, the Ukrainian fighter pilot who has already shot down six planes. It is, almost without question, unadulterated bullshit. It's doubtful that the whole of the Ukrainian air force has shot down six planes, never mind a single pilot. This isn't Werner Voss throwing himself throwing himself headlong into a flight of S.E.5s; that's just not how modern fighter jets with their limited, long-range armaments and counter-measures work, and Russia largely has air superiority (particularly given that their anti-air batteries in Belarus can reach Kyiv). There will be talk of incredible numbers of tanks destroyed, entire Russian battallions surrendering, etc. And exactly none of it should be taken at face value, any more than Putin's propaganda.
I don’t think it’s pointless. It’s a good place to rally as it effectively can’t be bombed due to radiation fears. It allows Russia a safe base inside Ukraine. Very good strategy.
Good point Os I hope that satisfies Greg. I was just quoting the Ukrainian spokesman. There are other strategic reasons according to this. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/russia-want-take-chernobyl-rcna17615 From the BBC should it be of interest, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-c... have seized,serious threats in Europe today".
They are still allowing Russian teams to play though. I find that unconscionable. We should ban all Russian teams immediately. It won’t do much, but may help turn the Russians against Putin
I put all the blame for this at Johnson's door. We enjoyed peace in Europe with a united EU but the greedy and corrupt right wing of the Tory party led by Johnson and his Russian buddies divided Europe for Putin with Brexit. Johnson should be put up against a wall and shot.
But Johnson wasn’t the instigator of Brexit. He is a chancer and opportunist. He never believed in Brexit and potentially still doesn’t If you truly believe this situation is down to Brexit (I am skeptical as crimea was pre-Brexit) then you point the finger at Cameron and Farage. Not Boris Johnson
I have lived my life. If I get blown to smithereens in the next few days or weeks I don't matter but I fear for all the young people with a long life ahead of them.
Bugger that I'm a grumpy old ****er that has more life to live. We've been busy readying our floating holiday home for the season, planning a visit to England early summer and an extended autumn trip to Indonesia. The only thing we've had to shelve is an overland journey to Asia via Russia, *****lia and China. The thing I fear for the younguns is being called into service to fight a war that would decimate their generation.
I just keep reminding myself of Chechnya. Tiny state with just over a million people, and Russia took two years to, well, withdraw unsuccessfully. They only eventually got their victory years later by destroying most of the place. If they drop too many bombs in Ukraine, others will surely step in to help. But it will be more about drones and bombs, than boots on the ground (I hope!). Look forward to some pics of the floating holiday home by the way!
Chernobyl is basically the only thing between Belarus and Kyiv. But Russia could just go around it. I imagine its easier for Ukraine to pull back and fortify Kyiv which Ukraine knows is the target and is more defensible, than try to spread its army thinly across the whole northern border and trying to stop Russia poking a hole through it and moving on a lightly defended Kiev. If it interests anyone, this is a map that I use to look at where the fighting is and news. https://liveuamap.com/ It seems to be down a lot though due to the server load.
Belarus and the UK, the only two countries in Europe using the FPTP voting system and both run by Putin puppets. Coincidence?
