Ukraine Watch...

[Potemkin Villager]

Let's not forget that the first time that Russia/CCCP threatened the UK with nuclear destruction was in 1956 and they have doing it regularly since then. They have also been regularly supplying intelligence to the UK enemies and killing UK citizens since then.

If I were the Russians, then upping the ante by sinking a few LNG tankers en route to the UK, might be more effective and less likely to lead to global nuclear war. Perhaps they are not because it may expose their submarine fleet to reprisals and shine a light on the effectiveness or otherwise of that part of their military service.

Russia is looking like it is being hoisted on their own petard and handing over Putin (ailing or not) may be a way out. The West should keep reminding of this. It could be an offer that a group of kleptocratic generals who like to indulge in "I've got the biggest hat and the most medals on my uniform" wearing competitions might be open to.

I am wondering just who "UK enemies" are and more so how and why they have become enemies? It would also be fascinating to know just where
the UK's ICBMs are targeted. I would think the list might contain some surprises. Putin is not the only leader to rattle the nuclear sabre. Tricky Dick Nixon, who really must be considered just as mad as Putin with a very simikar personality, apparently got the Joint Chiefs rather alarmed on several occasions when he got very drunk........ Thankfully at least Trump didn't drink!

This is keeping me quite entertained at the moment https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s1/watergate.

[Vortex2]

It would also be fascinating to know just where the UK's ICBMs are targeted

Many, many years ago I worked in defence.
I was assigned to a certain project which I assumed would be targetted at Russia ... I was astonished to find where it was actually targetted.
Sorry, can't say more.

[Vortex2]

it may expose their submarine fleet to reprisals and shine a light on the effectiveness or otherwise.

The Russian submarine fleet is manned mainly by conscripts doing national service.

[Vortex2]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian special services of carrying out a series of “false flag” attacks in Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova.

Now that a sea assault is impossible due to the loss of the Moskva, maybe the Russians plan to fly troops into Transnistria to attack Odessa from the land?

This would complete the isolation of Ukraine from the Black Sea.

[clv101]

BBC headline:

UK makes clearest statement yet of Britain's ambitious war aims

So we have 'war aims' now?

Also:

The White House has accused Russia of "almost weaponising" its energy supplies to Europe by cutting off Poland and Bulgaria from gas supplies.

Almost weaponising? How does Putin regard the $bn+ of actual weapons sent by NATO?

[PS_RalphW]

Liz Truss and by extensionthe UK government are sounding more and more proactive. There was talk (half heard on radio 4 just now) of planning for Ukraine to expell Russian forces from all of Ukraine including Crimea. I would have thought it was up to Ukraine's leadership to decide just how much suffering and destruction it was prepared to tolerate before declaring the war over.

[Stumuz2]

Liz Truss and by extensionthe UK government are sounding more and more proactive. There was talk (half heard on radio 4 just now) of planning for Ukraine to expell Russian forces from all of Ukraine including Crimea. I would have thought it was up to Ukraine's leadership to decide just how much suffering and destruction it was prepared to tolerate before declaring the war over.

This was discussed a few pages back. Makes perfect sense for the west to aid Ukraine in regaining Crimea. Strengthens the rules of invasion costs, politically disastrous for Putin, and drags Putin into an expensive occupation strategy. The west, who will supply the arms, gets paid, provides employment, and enhances the R&D capability. It's like Putin has learnt nothing from the Vietnam war.

[Stumuz2]

I am wondering just who "UK enemies" are and more so how and why they have become enemies?

Allowing a Russian Submarine to hide in plain site off Cork? Or doing precious little to stop a Russian Naval exercise off the Coast of Ireland, that was targeted at the UK?

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland ... -1.4791313

Complicated thing pacifism.

[adam2]

The local Polish workers are very vociferous in their support for Ukraine. I recently attended a "PUCK FUTIN" party. This consisted of a hog roast, burning an effigy of putin, drinking to excess and collecting money to buy ammo.

Apparently the Ukrainian forces have acquired a number of .50 caliber sniper rifles but are very short of ammunition for same. These weapons are reported to have a reliable "first round kill" capability out to three hundred meters, and to give "harassing fire" out to at least 1000 meters. Similar weapons have, under ideal conditions, killed troops at ranges of well over 2,000 meters. They can kill enemy troops through body armour or steel helmets, they can bring down aircraft under favourable conditions.

Not a readily portable or rapid fire weapon, but said to be excellent for long range sniping. from a prepared position. Operable by an intelligent older child, perfect eyesight and a steady nerve being more important than military training or physical fitness.

We collected money to buy several thousand rounds, from a dealer in Poland.

[Vortex2]

We collected money to buy several thousand rounds, from a dealer in Poland.

You should have your email address etched on any bullet your money paid for.
The sniper can then send you a picture of the body - ideally with the person's ID.
You can then create a photo album of your contribution(s).
You could even send photos to the families of the victims.

[Stumuz2]

We collected money to buy several thousand rounds, from a dealer in Poland.

You should have your email address etched on any bullet your money paid for.
The sniper can then send you a picture of the body - ideally with the person's ID.
You can then create a photo album of your contribution(s).
You could even send photos to the families of the victims.

Would you have said the same thing about the camp guards at Auschwitz? Would it have been morally justified? I would say yes.
You invade a sovereign country, murder, rape, pillage, and the citizens and like minded individuals have a right of reply.

Do you also object to the 25,000 morning after pills being sent to Ukrainian women who have been the victims of rape by Russian soldiers?

[adam2]

We collected money to buy several thousand rounds, from a dealer in Poland.

You should have your email address etched on any bullet your money paid for.
The sniper can then send you a picture of the body - ideally with the person's ID.
You can then create a photo album of your contribution(s).
You could even send photos to the families of the victims.

I cant say that pictures of dead Russian fighters would worry me. The Russians started it, and must accept casualties. I do feel a bit sorry for unwilling conscripts, but that is true of most wars.
I also feel somewhat sorry for the families of the dead Russian fighters, but that is also true of most wars.
There are plenty of photos of dead russians on-line, no need for me to start a private album.

I feel a lot sorrier for the Ukrainian troops and volunteers who have died fighting for their country, and for their families. I am in favour of both the UK government sending weapons, and of private individuals sending weapons, or more realistically sending money to purchase weapons/ammo.

[Vortex2]

Would you have said the same thing about the camp guards at Auschwitz?

They killed people close up.

You kill people by mail order.

[Stumuz2]

Would you have said the same thing about the camp guards at Auschwitz?

They killed people close up.

You kill people by mail order.

Cruise missiles are close up?

[Vortex2]

Would you have said the same thing about the camp guards at Auschwitz?

They killed people close up.

You kill people by mail order.

Cruise missiles are close up?

Huh? I don't think the Auschwitz camp guards had cruise missiles?

BOTH sides in the current war however have missiles of various sorts.

BTW Ukrainian guards outnumbered Nazi SS men 10-to-one at the Sobibor death camp. Ukrainians also served in other camps.