Explosions In Ukraine.....

[Faraday]

 

"There have been at least three explosions in eastern Ukraine as part of what the US fears may be the start of Russia’s plan to invade.

The first blast went off in the separatist city of Donetsk. Russia has been claiming this was a car bomb intended to kill a top pro-Moscow official on Friday.

It happened right outside pro-Russian Donetsk People’s Republic, destroying a Soviet-era UAZ jeep which belonged to the head of regional security, Denis Sinenkov. He was not harmed.

Another explosion was heard in the same city but this was ‘linked to a pipline’ the the US believes Vladimir Putin may have blown up to make it seem as if Ukraine is attacking Russian loyalists.

A third blast took place in Luhansk – a city held by pro-Moscow rebels in the self-described People’s Republic of Luhansk."

 

 

I really hope, that this is not the start of an invasion..

https://metro.co.uk/2022/02/18/explosion-russia-claims-is-a-bomb-is-actually-linked-to-pipeline-us-says-16133091/

[GMoney2312]

The damn human race, what a joke we are...

 

Edited February 19, 2022 by Faz
image removed

[Faraday]

Has it started....?

 

"US President Joe Biden has said he is “convinced” that Russia’s Vladimir Putin has made a decision to invade Ukraine, warning Moscow against starting what he called a “war of choice” that would be catastrophic."

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/18/g7-says-ready-for-serious-dialogue-with-russia-on-ukraine-live

[GMoney2312]

11 minutes ago, Faraday said:

US President Joe Biden has said he is “convinced”

If he said that, its because someone >unidentified slang term< him up and told him what to say....

[Faraday]

3 minutes ago, GMoney2312 said:

If he said that, its because someone >unidentified slang term< him up and told him what to say....

I was watching a compilation of his 'gaffes'. They're really sad, poor chap should be being cared for.

Felt sorry for him...

[Rookiescot]

Putin has overplayed his hand. He didnt expect the west to react this way.

His primary demand is that Ukraine is not allowed to join NATO because he does not want a NATO country having a land border with Russia. Even though there are already NATO countries with land borders.

So whats he going to do? Invade and take over UKraine and end up with a land border with another 4 NATO countries? How does this help?

Then there are the sanctions he will face. Now some of these sanctions are personal against him and the vast wealth he has amassed as President of Russia.

The only reason he is doing this is to try and keep Russia relevant to the rest of the world. The thing he hates the most is when no-one is paying any attention to him or Russia. 

[Lowseasonlover]

I think Putin wants to bring back the Russian Empire in the last few days 3 squadrons of fighter jets and long range bombers landed in Syria, Also war drills in the Med with the Russian Navy

[Marble-eye]

Let them get on with it, the US and the British have fought enough wars on mainland europe with the loss of many lives, only to be derided years later. A lot of countries are sadly ungrateful and the same countries we liberated and have short memories.

[Santa]

I think the Russians are posturing and the West have bought it. Putin must be laughing his socks off.

[Santa]

3 hours ago, Lowseasonlover said:

 in the last few days 3 squadrons of fighter jets and long range bombers landed in Syria, Also war drills in the Med with the Russian Navy

Normal military exercises. 

Quote

MOSCOW, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Russia has deployed MiG-31K fighter jets with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and long-range Tupolev Tu-22M strategic bombers to its air base in Syria for naval exercises

 

Edited February 19, 2022 by Santa

[SnapDragon]

The US don't want Europe to get Russia's natural riches.

Can't have European countries leaning towards Russia.

[AussieBob]

Think of this issue as the Bay of Pigs.  Unless NATO backs down and agrees to withdraw ballistic missile sites in the bordering NATO countries to Russia, then Russia will invade and destroy them itself.  If anyone thinks that this is about big bad Putin trying to make USSR again, then you are very misinformed - so go and get informed.  

For a start look at how NATO has for many decades promised not to expand into countries that border Russia.  The look at how NATO orchestrated the coup against the President of Ukraine in 2014 and the Civil War that has been going on ever since.  The peoples of Eastern Ukraine (the ousted President was one) do not want to be a part of NATO/West - they are Russians by descent and want to be a part of Russia. Crimea was annexed in response to both NATO expansions and the people voting to leave.

Unless NATO/West wants a war (maybe they do) they must back down.  Putin is not going to back down - he is behaving very similar to like Kennedy did - take those missiles away or we will invade and destroy them.

[oldschooler]

3 hours ago, Marble-eye said:

Let them get on with it, the US and the British have fought enough wars on mainland europe with the loss of many lives, only to be derided years later. A lot of countries are sadly ungrateful and the same countries we liberated and have short memories.

France in particular just can’t stand it that without UK in WW1 AND WW2 they would be a German province. No invites to related memorials there only USA ! 
Referring to their useless treacherous “ leaders” not the fine people. French troops fought like tigers in both wars but betrayed by generals & politicians.

[Poolie]

18 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

France in particular just can’t stand it that without UK in WW1 AND WW2 they would be a German province. No invites to related memorials there only USA ! 
Referring to their useless treacherous “ leaders” not the fine people. French troops fought like tigers in both wars but betrayed by generals & politicians.

70 years ago.

[oldschooler]

13 minutes ago, AussieBob said:

Think of this issue as the Bay of Pigs.  Unless NATO backs down and agrees to withdraw ballistic missile sites in the bordering NATO countries to Russia, then Russia will invade and destroy them itself.  If anyone thinks that this is about big bad Putin trying to make USSR again, then you are very misinformed - so go and get informed.  

For a start look at how NATO has for many decades promised not to expand into countries that border Russia.  The look at how NATO orchestrated the coup against the President of Ukraine in 2014 and the Civil War that has been going on ever since.  The peoples of Eastern Ukraine (the ousted President was one) do not want to be a part of NATO/West - they are Russians by descent and want to be a part of Russia. Crimea was annexed in response to both NATO expansions and the people voting to leave.

Unless NATO/West wants a war (maybe they do) they must back down.  Putin is not going to back down - he is behaving very similar to like Kennedy did - take those missiles away or we will invade and destroy them.

Disagree with nearly all above mate, sorry. NATO reacting perfectly and only defensively against monstrous aggressive provocation by Putin.NATO not in the business of “backing down” under threat! Most powerful & effective military alliance around, dwarfing Russia. 
 

NATO has expanded only at the will of Free Nations rightly fearful of Putins Unfree Russia. If Russia were Free, NATO need not exist except to counter other large evil threats like CCP, with our Pacific Allies.
 

Ukranians removed pro- Russian president. no evidence of western assistance. but so what if there was ? Dictators using dirty tricks all the time. So do democracies. Democracies are duty bound to assist & defend other democracies against tyranny, to extent possible. No armed boots on ground in  Ukraine. Just intel  supplies, sanctions type defensive support. Perfectly Fine.

Ukraine are irreversiblely Western- looking. But will never join NATO (or EU) as too corrupt, lacks border control and would be vetoed by half of NATO !
NATO will, on free principles, never withdraw forces from any member countries. Putin knows all this. Putin wants Ukraine as Buffer State controlled by him. Few Russian- speaking Ukrainians are east- looking. They are west- looking, wanting freedom, democracy &  capitalism.  As usual, the aggressive violent armed pro- Putin minority carry the day there in Luhansk & Donets …just like radical Islam, the moderate reasonable majority are irrelevant. 

Annexing  Crimea was a criminal act like Hitler annexing Sudetenland. Putin’s  fascist nonsense about “ protecting” Russians in other countries is ludicrous Move to Russia ! Oh wait …… no work, poverty, corruption …….

Regretably, Putin will invade any day now. HE should back down but tyrants can’t do that without appearing weak and losing power …..Saddam etc.

 

 

 

[AussieBob]

31 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

France in particular just can’t stand it that without UK in WW1 AND WW2 they would be a German province. No invites to related memorials there only USA ! 
Referring to their useless treacherous “ leaders” not the fine people. French troops fought like tigers in both wars but betrayed by generals & politicians.

And dont forget the famous 'French Resistance' - many French men and women were tortured and executed for their roles in that - but very few gave up info, and even fewer became traitors. Those unbelievably brave members of the French Resistance saved so many lives - and it was very successful in helping the Allies to eventually win the war. 

[oldschooler]

14 minutes ago, Poolie said:

70 years ago.

Point is what ? Tell me something useful I don’t already know.

Challenge my case perhaps. 

French Leaders Ungrateful Dismissive Attitude Continues Today , is the obvious point. Stark contrast to Italy demonstrating eternal gratitude to UK.

[Poolie]

5 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Point is what ? Tell me something useful I don’t already know.

Challenge my case perhaps. 

French Leaders Ungrateful Dismissive Attitude Continues Today , is the obvious point. Stark contrast to Italy demonstrating eternal gratitude to UK.

Its irrelevant.

[oldschooler]

1 minute ago, AussieBob said:

And dont forget the famous 'French Resistance' - many French men and women were tortured and executed for their roles in that - but very few gave up info, and even fewer became traitors. Those unbelievably brave members of the French Resistance saved so many lives - and it was very successful in helping the Allies to eventually win the war. 

they come under brave “troops” I guess, not forgetting they were mostly Communists taking orders from Moscow, interested  in exchanging one form of tyranny for another  no net benefit to Allies in fact. sorry to say….needing substantial UK support to barely function ….

[oldschooler]

1 minute ago, Poolie said:

Its irrelevant.

Let’s see what France actually does here besides deliver endless hot air.

so far …… nothing else 

[oldschooler]

1 hour ago, snapdragon said:

The US don't want Europe to get Russia's natural riches.

Can't have European countries leaning towards Russia.

They all naturally & freely lean West … except the Belarus Dictator.

If West wants Russian natural resources they just buy them.
Russia has nothing else of value to sell to West.

[AussieBob]

5 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Disagree with nearly all above mate, sorry. NATO reacting perfectly and only defensively against monstrous aggressive provocation by Putin.NATO not in the business of “backing down” under threat! Most powerful & effective military alliance around, dwarfing Russia. 
 

NATO has expanded only at the will of Free Nations rightly fearful of Putins Unfree Russia. If Russia were Free, NATO need not exist except to counter other large evil threats like CCP, with our Pacific Allies.
 

Ukranians removed pro- Russian president. no evidence of western assistance. but so what if there was ? Dictators using dirty tricks all the time. So do democracies. Democracies are duty bound to assist & defend other democracies against tyranny, to extent possible. No armed boots on ground in  Ukraine. Just intel  supplies, sanctions type defensive support. Perfectly Fine.

Ukraine are irreversiblely Western- looking. But will never join NATO (or EU) as too corrupt, lacks border control and would be vetoed by half of NATO !
NATO will, on free principles, never withdraw forces from any member countries. Putin knows all this. Putin wants Ukraine as Buffer State controlled by him. Few Russian- speaking Ukrainians are east- looking. They are west- looking, wanting freedom, democracy &  capitalism.  As usual, the aggressive violent armed pro- Putin minority carry the day there in Luhansk & Donets …just like radical Islam, the moderate reasonable majority are irrelevant. 

Annexing  Crimea was a criminal act like Hitler annexing Sudetenland. Putin’s  fascist nonsense about “ protecting” Russians in other countries is ludicrous Move to Russia ! Oh wait …… no work, poverty, corruption …….

Regretably, Putin will invade any day now. HE should back down but tyrants can’t do that without appearing weak and losing power …..Saddam etc.

Believe what you will - that is OK.  But IMO most of what you have said is opinion that is driven by western influenced media coverage.  The following is a speech given 6 years ago - Putin has run out of patience.

Things have only gotten worse since that speech was given - but the western media have not provided us with any of the details.  I understand that - when in a war all propaganda about the 'enemy' must be negative to ensure the People support what is happening. A short time ago Putin gave a speech where he outlined the number of missile facilities installed this century close to the Russian borders - did you know about all those missile sites - I did not - until I recently started to look into what was really happening.  This is a link to just one of the many 'strategic defence issues' that have been going on for a while now.

Russia Deploys Hypersonic Missile To Baltic In Range Of NATO Capitals (forbes.com) 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2022/02/08/russia-deploys-hypersonic-missile-to-baltic-in-range-of-nato-capitols/?sh=73fd6e81217e

I can assure you that the fault for war, if it does happen, is mainly with NATO/West.  For some time now things have been going along 'status quo' - but if there is a war, when that happens and especially afterwards, there will be critical analysis of what lead to the war happening - who really was at fault. That is only just starting to happen now - but if the war happens - it will be massive and NATO/West will bear most of the blame under that critical penetrating spotlight.  The days are gone when the wartime propaganda will be immediately accepted universally, and that is especially a valid point after a war has concluded.

But we both hope it does not go that far.  Hopefully, NATO will agree to back down. 

[oldschooler]

Yes, so sorry that Russia chooses to be Unfree… for its entire sad history.

Yes, I know & respect this guy making the Geopolitical case that Russia is physically “encircled “ but that’s how Geography & Freedom sometimes work. TOUGH.  Become Free and NATO “ threat” goes away instantly. 

Just Geography unfortunately that Russia happens to border Free Nations who are understandably terrified of Large Aggressor Russia and have therefore freely acquired NATO protection….. would be moronic not to ! Life’s TOUGH all round, too bad..Again, stop being a tyranny and no issues. We know Russia looks like and is shit compared to West. TOUGH. Change Then.

NATO will NOT actually accept Ukraine or Georgia. THAT is NATO “concession”. Putin knows this.

Naturally, free states are free to position defensive missiles and troops on their sovereign land . Russia don’t like it ? TOUGH. Become Free. Stop Threatening West. West does NOT threaten Russia. Anything we want from there we buy!

[HolyCowCm]

General Patton always had it right from the get go. Too bad we can't bring him back to deal with them.

[Poolie]

28 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Yes, so sorry that Russia chooses to be Unfree… for its entire sad history.

Yes, I know & respect this guy making the Geopolitical case that Russia is physically “encircled “ but that’s how Geography & Freedom sometimes work. TOUGH.  Become Free and NATO “ threat” goes away instantly. 

Just Geography unfortunately that Russia happens to border Free Nations who are understandably terrified of Large Aggressor Russia and have therefore freely acquired NATO protection….. would be moronic not to ! Life’s TOUGH all round, too bad..Again, stop being a tyranny and no issues. We know Russia looks like and is shit compared to West. TOUGH. Change Then.

NATO will NOT actually accept Ukraine or Georgia. THAT is NATO “concession”. Putin knows this.

Naturally, free states are free to position defensive missiles and troops on their sovereign land . Russia don’t like it ? TOUGH. Become Free. Stop Threatening West. West does NOT threaten Russia. Anything we want from there we buy!

China has a 4000km+ border with Russia. Plenty of exports go across there. 58bn in value.