Ukraine Watch...

[clv101]

The IEA published specific, point by point policy advice on how member states could cut energy use in light of the Russian invasion. The (leader of the) Conservative party *specifically* said he would not be adopting any of the IEA's policy recommendations.

Why do the press make life so hard? Why do millions of people keep voting for such damaging political ideologies.

[kenneal - lagger]

Got a reference for that advice, Chris?

[mr brightside]

Does anyone think the Kremlin will actually carry out the sentences on these two British soldiers? You'd instinctively say no, but this whole situation has become so unpredictable.

[Catweazle]

Does anyone think the Kremlin will actually carry out the sentences on these two British soldiers? You'd instinctively say no, but this whole situation has become so unpredictable.

A prisoner swap seems more likely. I seem to remember the UK government stating that UK citizens going abroad to fight in other wars would be considered terrorists, which might weaken the case for these two a little.

[UndercoverElephant]

Does anyone think the Kremlin will actually carry out the sentences on these two British soldiers? You'd instinctively say no, but this whole situation has become so unpredictable.

A prisoner swap seems more likely. I seem to remember the UK government stating that UK citizens going abroad to fight in other wars would be considered terrorists, which might weaken the case for these two a little.

One of them is resident in Ukraine and was a Ukrainian soldier - as his job - before the war started. That isn't the same as going abroad to fight as a volunteer in a war that has already started. But does it qualify as "being a mercenary"? Should joining the army be viewed as any different to going to Ukraine and doing a civilian job? Lots of grey areas here, especially as the west is criticising Russia for using mercenaries.

[kenneal - lagger]

Both soldiers had a Ukrainian wife or girlfriend and were resident in Ukraine. That makes them much more than mercenaries.

Russia is just using them for propaganda and hostages to pressure Ukraine supporting countries. We should just tell Russia that we are not going to be influenced and that sanctions will be kept on much longer if the men are murdered by the puppet regime on the orders of Moscow. We should also say that all involved in their murder and other murders, rapes and war crimes will be required to be handed over for trial before any sanctions will be lifted.

Putin has dropped any pretence that the war is anything other than a land grab to restore the Russian Empire of Peter the Great. If he is intent on doing that he will come for the former Warsaw pact countries and probably Finland and Sweden as well after he has gobbled Ukraine, if he can gobble Ukraine. The man is obviously deranged and Russia must be pulverised in Ukraine so that they are in no fit state to attack anyone else in Putin's lifetime nor in the lifetime of anyone else in his regime.

[Catweazle]

Does anyone think the Kremlin will actually carry out the sentences on these two British soldiers? You'd instinctively say no, but this whole situation has become so unpredictable.

A prisoner swap seems more likely. I seem to remember the UK government stating that UK citizens going abroad to fight in other wars would be considered terrorists, which might weaken the case for these two a little.

One of them is resident in Ukraine and was a Ukrainian soldier - as his job - before the war started. That isn't the same as going abroad to fight as a volunteer in a war that has already started. But does it qualify as "being a mercenary"? Should joining the army be viewed as any different to going to Ukraine and doing a civilian job? Lots of grey areas here, especially as the west is criticising Russia for using mercenaries.

Personally, I wouldn't consider that as being a mercenary, it seems an entirely legitimate job to me. These guys are clearly just pawns in a propaganda game. Kenneals idea of re-stating the UKs position re war crimes seems sensible.

[mr brightside]

In the news- Lithuania are getting tooled up. 18 of these mobile guns purchased from France.

What is this contraption then, a long range anti-tank weapon? It would seem logical.

[Vortex2]

It's a French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzer - not an anti-tank gun.

It is a 155mm gun mounted on a truck capable of firing six rounds per minute at a distance of 40 kilometers.

[kenneal - lagger]

It's a French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzer - not an anti-tank gun.

It is a 155mm gun mounted on a truck capable of firing six rounds per minute at a distance of 40 kilometers.

And it outranges all the Russian guns. All the Ukrainians have to avoid then are Russian MLRS (rockets) and aircraft. Once they have a few more NATO standard MLRSs they will be able to clobber the Russian artillery at will. Putin will be extremely unhappy then.

[Vortex2]

Putin will be extremely unhappy then.

Is that a good thing?

[Vortex2]

And it outranges all the Russian guns. All the Ukrainians have to avoid then are Russian MLRS (rockets) and aircraft. Once they have a few more NATO standard MLRSs they will be able to clobber the Russian artillery at will.

Who are going to operate these things?
Getting a shell on target at 40km requires, intelligence, precsion aiming and the right ammunition.
The Ukrainians appears to be suffering heavy losses, so I'm not sure exactly who will be operating all these high tech gifts from the West.

Vadym Skibitsky told The Guardian in an interview published Friday that Ukraine is now heavily reliant on weapons provided by the West in its counteroffensive against Russia. Russia, meanwhile, currently outranks Ukraine in terms of artillery supplies, according to the official.

"Everything now depends on what [the West] gives us," Skibitsky said. "Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces. Our Western partners have given us about 10 percent of what they have."

https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-risks- ... 20have.%22

[Catweazle]

Shame those howitzers aren't going to Ukraine.

[Vortex2]

Shame those howitzers aren't going to Ukraine.

Doh!

[PS_RalphW]

Us has announced another billion dollars for Ukraine, including 36 artillery pieces. Ukraine is asking for 600.

Uk mod assessment is that Russian front line combat units are heavily depleted, some down to 5% of their nominal strength, that Ukraine (also depleted) is holding the line against Russian advances, and Russian numerical superiority in tanks and other hardware is of limited value without boots on the ground.

This war is grinding to a halt on both sides.

Russia to enforce Russian citizenship on Ukrainian new borns and orphans in their control.

I am beginning to think that Russia has a demographic crisis.