Ukraine Watch...

[adam2]

There are early signs of a run on the Russian state bank, with appeals for calm.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60543994

[UndercoverElephant]

Germany is now supplying 1000 anti-tank missiles, and 500 SAMs to Ukraine.

France have made a similar promise.

We have alreadtysupplied huge planeloads of anti-tank weapons.

At some point Putin will decide that NATO isn't being very neutral ... his reaction might not be pleasant.

He has decided that today, and is making noises about nuclear weapons. But I think he would be deposed by his own side if they think he's going to go down that path.

[UndercoverElephant]

Increasing numbers of European nations are sending weapons to Ukraine.
The main needs seem to be anti tank rockets, surface to air missiles, and small arms ammunition.

Which makes it absolutely crucial for Putin's forces in the north and the south of the country to join up, surrounding Ukrainian army in the east and cutting off the supply of munitions. And right now it doesn't look like he will succeed any time soon. I think Russia has already blown this.

[Stumuz2]

Russia-Ukraine latest: Vladimir Putin puts nuclear deterrent forces on high alert over Nato's 'unfriendly' sanctions

Oh, what a surprise.

All this has been modelled in huge detail in the 1960s.

But in the 60's it was an idealogical war between communism and capitalism. Now, we are dealing with a messianic tyrant. We have not heard the last of his sounding off.

But as others have said. Do Moscow's 13 million people fancy being incinerated? Most of the beneficiaries of Putins reign have their wealth in the west.

It a new model that needs to be modelled.

[PS_RalphW]

Turkey is clsoing the Dardanelles to Russia, the EU is banning RT and Sputnik TV stations, I wonder if the UK will too, it would result in BBC being kicked out of Russia.

BP is selling its 20% share in Rosneft. There is talk of banning Russian ships from UK ports, including oil tankers.

Reading US forums I don't think the US people understand how big a deal that Europeans see the invasion of Ukraine as being. A disturbing number of USians (mostly Republicans) see Putin in a better light than Biden, according to polling.

[adam2]

Even Sweden is sending weapons to protect Ukraine.
5,000 anti tank rockets, together with other supplies that are not strictly weapons but are military aid, body armour, helmets, and ration packs.
This is said to be the first time that Sweden has sent arms to a nation at war since 1939.

[Stumuz2]

Ireland sending hugs and kisses.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland ... -1.4813568

[Vortex2]

Sweden too?

i can imagine that this massive reaction to the invasion will be regarded as bullying by Putin.

Even if he is displaced, the top-level officials and maybe a major part of the population will now see the West as their sworn enemy.

[clv101]

It's just nuts. Loads of videos like this for example:

https://twitter.com/Ukraine_AF/status/1 ... jy6Aw&s=09

Without air superiority, the battlefield is no place for tanks, infantry etc. What are Russia thinking? We're watching the collapse of Russia in real time, Putin is now over as a respectable world leader. He's destroyed Russia economically, political, militarily... Even if he 'wins', splits Ukraine, installs new government, it'll never be recognised, sanctions not lifted.

He will have transformed Russia into a heavyweight North Korea. It's madness... Incompetence.

[Stumuz2]

Looks like a bank run is underway in Russia.

From the Telegraph
Russian economist Vladislav Zhukovskiy said “panic has started”.
He said: “All over the country there are queues at ATMs to withdraw money. Banks are selling the dollar at 100 to 120 roubles! Where are [central bank chief] Elvira Nabiullina and [prime minister] Mikhail Mishustin?”

[Stumuz2]

He will have transformed Russia into a heavyweight North Korea. It's madness... Incompetence.

Classic messiah complex. Started to believe his own propaganda.

[Stumuz2]

Sweden too?

The NLAW is a British/Swedish development.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... s-ukraine/

It did a lot of the heavy lifting in the early stages, until the johnny come latelys decided to switch sides.

[UndercoverElephant]

Even if he is displaced, the top-level officials and maybe a major part of the population will now see the West as their sworn enemy.

I think that depends what he is replaced with.

[Default0ptions]

I have to confess that I’m disappointed with most of you. I read your forum posts pretty much every day to get your thoughts on reality rather than the parroting of our media’s stance on many of the major issues of the day - but you all seem to have swallowed the western media take on the Ukraine issue hook, line and sinker.

[UndercoverElephant]

It's just nuts. Loads of videos like this for example:

https://twitter.com/Ukraine_AF/status/1 ... jy6Aw&s=09

Without air superiority, the battlefield is no place for tanks, infantry etc. What are Russia thinking? We're watching the collapse of Russia in real time, Putin is now over as a respectable world leader. He's destroyed Russia economically, political, militarily... Even if he 'wins', splits Ukraine, installs new government, it'll never be recognised, sanctions not lifted.

He will have transformed Russia into a heavyweight North Korea. It's madness... Incompetence.

He could not just go in there with Iraq-style "shock and awe", because it would have turned both global (non-western) and Russian public opinion against him hard. It is impossible to do that without massive civilian casualties and damage to non-military infrastructure. He gambled on the Ukrainians not being able or willing to put up much a of a fight, and it appears to have been a gargantuan miscalculation. It is not at all clear how this is going to play out, let alone end.