With Belarus troops now entering Ukraine too, supposedly, I'm expecting Putin to have Kyiv levelled by morning in the hope that that kills Zelenskyy off and turns the tide of the war in the process.
I suspect a great deal of Kyiv will be rubble in the next few days, but how many losses will be felt from the Russian side will be interesting. On the subject of NATO/EU intervention - they're clearly prepared to throw Ukraine under the bus than risk a hot war, the moment that moves into attacking a NATO country it'll be a different story, but for the moment they're prepared to let Russia take the financial/resource/manpower hit of getting entrenched in what will be a very bitter conflict indeed and see how it pans out. Should NATO countries be getting involved (e.g. enforcing a no-fly zone)? I suspect not as the risk of retaliation (either nuclear or non-nuclear) against the rest of Europe is sufficiently horrifying to try and avoid for now. I think it's pretty clear that this is a significant backlash between the sanctions and funding/materiel provided to try and help Ukraine's defence.
Unverified, but this image suggests the Russians are using thermobaric munitions... and the Ukrainian army just captured a launcher full of 'em. Whoopsie.
i fully expect the same, but it seems most of the people are facing the choice to die on their feet or live on their knees
what worries is that Russia, knowing full well the Ukrainians are 'acquiring' Russian equipment might well have just left a couple of these lying around and when the Ukrainians capture and then use it, will claim warcrimes and use that as justification for escalation
Why bother, when you can just lie through your teeth? They've already shifted from "denazification" to "Ukraine's trying to acquire nukes," and they didn't have to do squat other than swap out the cue cards.
Less like de-, more like re- Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date And if that happens, congratulations vlad, you've created a martyr...
I've been of the opinion that Zelenskyy's days are numbered for daring to be the face of those that stand up to Putin's regime from the outset - I don't think Putin will care. If the reports of his 'kill list' or sending of mercenaries specifically to kill Zelenskyy are accurate, I feel like he'll consider that a win, call the job done and **** back off with the most valuable parts of Ukraine suddenly being 'Russia' for the start of a long drawn out guerilla war between the full-bore Ukranians that can stomach fighting amongst the ruins of their country. I don't want that, of course, but Putin is a piece of **** of epic proportions, and that feels like the most piece of **** way to resolve this conflict that doesn't involve mutually assured destruction.
I feel like the world's gone topsy-turvy, while we've got senior Tories including Jeremy "Cockney Rhyming Slang" Hunt calling for an open-door policy for Ukrainian refugees but Labour's not so sure.
Thanks to Putin Finland are now going to debate joining NATO. Russia threatening military and political consequences. No surprise there. Edit: Pharmacies sold out of iodine tablets the other day but they have bunkers and under Helsinki there is, essentially, another city with hospitals, gyms, schools and the like. I guess that's what you do when you have history with your neighbours.
Honestly, the choice probably is "Join NATO and get invaded, but get support" or "Don't join NATO and get invaded, get positive vibes and equipment" at this point.
They are playing for votes. They know they need to toughen their stance on that sort of thing if they are to get voted in. I guess in a way that's all the Tories really have left after the last couple of years.
Too many people have been conditioned, or brainwashed, to believe immigrants are evil, by the Tories and UKIP.
Aye, although I'd like to think an EU nation getting invaded would be a tipping point as Ukraine seems not to be.
I think Putin has turned into the classic brutal dictator during his time in office and he will have his way no matter what. How many Ukrainians, or Russians, die in the process is irrelevant to him.
The gloves are off when the Swiss start throwing their weight around. After all, they are Germans. They are already involved waging a proxy and propaganda war at the moment. Hopefully it will not escalate beyond the point of no return. That means Ukraine will have to be 'sacrificed'. I have noticed elsewhere that people are getting swept away in a torrent of emotions wanting to do something, just about anything, getting all tribal and whatnot. I hope cooler heads will prevail.
