Russia Masses Military Equipment Near Ukraine Borders: A Prologue to WWIII?

[+Hammerclaw]

This guy does a rather colorful yet succinct summation of the current situation.

 

[Helen of Annoy]

24 minutes ago, ExpandMyMind said:

I mean, it is winter. I’m disappointed but not exactly unsympathetic.

I don't think Brexiter take is objective. 

(Sorry for sloppy formating, I don't care anymore.)

edit: to format this thing a little  

 

https://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/ovo-su-sankcije-koje-je-eu-uvela-rusiji-najostrije-su-u-povijesti/2342409.aspx

Quote

 

EU leaders have agreed on sanctions against Moscow targeting 70 per cent of Russia's banking market and key state-owned companies, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. He says these are historic sanctions.

“First, this package includes financial sanctions targeting 70% of the Russian banking market and key state-owned companies.

Secondly, we are targeting the energy sector, a key economic area that particularly benefits the Russian state. Our export ban will hit the oil sector by preventing Russia from upgrading its refineries.

Third: we ban the sale of aircraft and equipment to Russian airlines.

Fourth, we limit Russia's access to key technologies, such as semiconductors. And finally - visas. Diplomats and business people will no longer have privileged access to the European Union. We are also targeting Russian elites by limiting their deposits so that they can no longer hide their money in Europe, ”she said.

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by Helen of Annoy

[Helen of Annoy]

18 minutes ago, odas said:

Looks like the Serbian president Vucic is still thinking what to do. The more radical Dacic is on board with Russia, no suprise there. We will know more in a few hours.

In Bosnia, the Croats and Bosniaks are finally on the same page again, condeming Putin and supporting Ukraine. The third goof from the joint Presidency of the bosnian-serb side, Dodik, has already declared his support for Russia. Bosnia is not a Nato member but on" the doorsteps" as a candidate.

Also, the Croatian President Milanovic and prime minister Plenkovic are also on the same page again, supporting Ukraine and the integrity of neighbouring Bosnia.

 

Milanović is a bit of loose cannon lately. Expect all sorts of surprises from him. I really, extremely disliked some of his statements lately. Unless they serve some purpose that's not public yet... 

[ExpandMyMind]

British and Americans in the ground in Ukraine. (Only audio).

****ing legends.

[spartan max2]

35 minutes ago, Only_ said:

Not really.

Putin is hell-bent on regime change in Ukraine. Us intervening in that conflict can only end up in massive conflagrations.

If international economic sanctions did not deter Putin, than what will? Unless you want to start a war with Russia, it's unwise to consider a military intervention in that conflict.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia are all under NATO's charter.

That's where the United States and Europe seem to draw the line. Putin will not go there if he's smart enough. But we cannot prevent him from invading Ukraine.

So you think the same people who will not "risk WW3" over Ukraine will magically risk WW3 over the little nation of Lativa? 

I'm doubtful but perhaps you're right 

[Coil]

In Mykolaiv around the Timvod residential district on which the enemy landing landed, it was liquidated.

[spartan max2]

31 minutes ago, Helen of Annoy said:

It wasn't an appeasement - it was not sending NATO troops into non-NATO country that did not request NATO troops. 

Appeasement is when people say Ukraine should be left alone because they can't profit from helping them. 

This is very true I suppose. Ukraine is of course free to not invite troops in. Hopefully they knew what they were doing 

[Coil]

Half an hour ago, GRADYs drove along the highway through my city from Mykolaiv but apparently this is Ukrainian equipment, since our police were driving behind. They are going to defend Kiev.

[ExpandMyMind]

1 hour ago, spartan max2 said:

China will take Taiwan the same way Putin takes Ukraine because people we have the same argument about not wanting WW3.

Bullies will conquer as much as they can until they actually have to fight something of equal strength. 

The West (and Japan) can’t allow that to happen. Taiwan produce electronics (microprocessor) that our economies depend on.

It’s a completely different situation.

[Helen of Annoy]

12 minutes ago, spartan max2 said:

So you think the same people who will not "risk WW3" over Ukraine will magically risk WW3 over the little nation of Lativa? 

I'm doubtful but perhaps you're right 

Attacking NATO member is completely different matter. And the reason why Putin jumped on non-NATO Ukraine instead of attacking NATO Baltic first. 

Ukraine is too big and if he didn't believe his own propaganda, he'd knew he can't swallow Ukraine without choking on it. 

 

11 minutes ago, spartan max2 said:

This is very true I suppose. Ukraine is of course free to not invite troops in. Hopefully they knew what they were doing 

They knew. It's that NATO thing. Putler keeps hystericizing over NATO encroaching. Ukraine did everything right. They did not invite NATO, still Putler attacked, now it's clear he attacked because he wants to grab Ukrainian land, not because there's any NATO attacking him from Ukraine. 

Which will change in the end, but serve him right. 

[+and-then]

9 hours ago, Helen of Annoy said:

Russian tanks deliberately crush Ukrainian civilian cars. (No visible blood but footage is extremely disturbing.) 

https://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/uznemirujuce-ruski-oklopnjak-u-kijevu-pregazio-civilni-auto-u-voznji/2342471.aspx

 

War ****ing criminals, Putin and everyone who fights for him. 

THAT is a war crime.  Evil b*******...

[Helen of Annoy]

16 minutes ago, Coil said:

In Mykolaiv around the Timvod residential district on which the enemy landing landed, it was liquidated.

Coil, your countrymen are amazing 

You made history. You are heroes. 

Slava Ukraini!

[+susieice]

4 hours ago, Coil said:

So far, the enemy is controlled near Kherson, where the Antonovsky bridge is damaged so that they cannot move further to Nikolaev, where there are also bridges that are ready to blow up. Already a thousand Russian soldiers have died in battle.

Wishing all of you safety and may your military continue to be blessed and able to hold them back.

[odas]

56 minutes ago, Helen of Annoy said:

Milanović is a bit of loose cannon lately. Expect all sorts of surprises from him. I really, extremely disliked some of his statements lately. Unless they serve some purpose that's not public yet... 

Just politics as usual, Helen. We will get thru this.

[Coil]

1 hour ago, Helen of Annoy said:

Coil, your countrymen are amazing 

You made history. You are heroes. 

Slava Ukraini!

Our soldiers are real heroes.

About 40 people were taken to the ambulance hospital in the city of Mykolaiv, who were injured during the battles for the bridge over the Ingul. Most of the injuries are classified as severe.

[Coil]

An attempt by Russian paratroopers to seize a bridge across the Ingul River in Mykolaiv, passing through the territory of the Nikolaev Shipbuilding Plant, was repulsed.

At present, the enemy is making new attempts to capture the bridge.

 

[Helen of Annoy]

Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, said today that NATO will continue to send weapons to Ukraine, including those for air-defense. 

He also said that Russia is trying to overthrow Ukrainian government. 

[Coil]

The situation now is threatening for Kyiv - without exaggeration. The next night, especially in the morning, will be very difficult. Russian troops - close to the capital. The military and law enforcement are neutralizing sabotage groups in the city. "

Kyiv Territorial Defense Battalions have received NLAW portable anti-tank guided short-range missiles.

NLAW is a Javelin for short distances that hits the target with "shot and forgotten" technology

 

[Helen of Annoy]

@Coilpresident Zelensky with prime-minister and aides and former president Poroshenko, they are all in Kyiv, did you see that? 

They're sending messages from the streets, not from bunkers. They are outside. Poroshenko with kalashnikov in hand. 

 

Whatever happens, Putin has lost. He's afraid of everything, afraid to let people come closer than 20 metres to him. He should come personally to Kyiv and see how real presidents are with their people. 

[ExpandMyMind]

53 minutes ago, and then said:

THAT is a war crime.  Evil b*******...

That’s actually a different one to the one I saw. 

[ExpandMyMind]

9 minutes ago, Helen of Annoy said:

@Coilpresident Zelensky with prime-minister and aides and former president Poroshenko, they are all in Kyiv, did you see that? 

They're sending messages from the streets, not from bunkers. They are outside. Poroshenko with kalashnikov in hand. 

 

Whatever happens, Putin has lost. He's afraid of everything, afraid to let people come closer than 20 metres to him. He should come personally to Kyiv and see how real presidents are with their people. 

Someone on Reddit noticed that his original ‘live’ stream had him wearing a watch with the time set 7 hours earlier. The little b**** pre-recorded it and was hiding in a bunker when it went down.

[Helen of Annoy]

11 minutes ago, ExpandMyMind said:

Someone on Reddit noticed that his original ‘live’ stream had him wearing a watch with the time set 7 hours earlier. The little b**** pre-recorded it and was hiding in a bunker when it went down.

I've been in a war zone before. I know what it feels like when you're under artillery and air attacks. 

Standing in the street in Kyiv is not safe today, but it was not safe yesterday either. Few hours earlier or later is not the difference that can prove someone's a b****. 

 

(Also, regarding political differences, I was very happy when my president and prime-minister, who are in perpetual argument and politically opposed, walked together in memorial march last year. I'm trying to say every positive message and example counts, it's not time for nitpicking.)

[+and-then]

4 hours ago, Helen of Annoy said:

but truth be told, I am a bit paranoid.

Putin's actions have been so blatantly criminal and vicious that it isn't possible to be paranoid.  He has given good reasons for no one to trust him.

[Helen of Annoy]

17 minutes ago, and then said:

Putin's actions have been so blatantly criminal and vicious that it isn't possible to be paranoid.  He has given good reasons for no one to trust him.

I see Ukrainians too refused Minsk and proposed Warsaw as the place for the meeting. Kremlin didn't respond and claims it's Kyiv that is not responsive. So I now really believe they wanted to kidnap Zelensky. Or assassinate him. 

 

I think the invasion is not going according to a plan. Putin genuinely believed his forces will be greeted as liberators or at least strike fear into Ukrainians. It seems he really thought Ukrainian army is a joke. The reality is directly the opposite, Ukrainians are fighting like lions. I'm genuinely impressed with Ukraine  

[+and-then]

3 hours ago, Helen of Annoy said:

I don't like this tip-toeing with sanctions. Unless it's serving some last diplomatic purpose.

It seems like the only sanction that Putin is concerned with would be to lose the use of the SWIFT system.  The longer they refuse to employ that, the longer he will be able to keep support from his Oligarch buddies.