WW3 -All Russia / Ukraine stuff here please-

IanM said:
The Prez of the US was singularly impressive in his speech. Also said Iraq when he meant Ukraine. I'm not sure he's all there!

Bbc had Abbott on, even though Starmer said "belt up" and she referred to Russian invasion of Croatia! (I kid you not)
Click to expand...


Add Nancy Pelosi confusing Hungary with Ukraine and you have to question how out of touch our rulers are!
 
Off to see my nephew shortly. He's ex army and flies to Poland on Monday and will be taken across the border to fight with the Ukranians. I'm going to try and persuade him otherwise but he is determined and it's all in place for him to go. I admire him but don't want him to go. My poor sister is in bits and flying in from Spain tomorrow to see him.
 
AmandaJR said:
Off to see my nephew shortly. He's ex army and flies to Poland on Monday and will be taken across the border to fight with the Ukranians. I'm going to try and persuade him otherwise but he is determined and it's all in place for him to go. I admire him but don't want him to go. My poor sister is in bits and flying in from Spain tomorrow to see him.
Click to expand...

Brave and honourable young man. My thoughts are with you and your sister, I hope he comes back safe and sound, and soon.
 
AmandaJR said:
Off to see my nephew shortly. He's ex army and flies to Poland on Monday and will be taken across the border to fight with the Ukranians. I'm going to try and persuade him otherwise but he is determined and it's all in place for him to go. I admire him but don't want him to go. My poor sister is in bits and flying in from Spain tomorrow to see him.
Click to expand...

Brave lad!

I really hope he returns safe and sound
 
AmandaJR said:
Off to see my nephew shortly. He's ex army and flies to Poland on Monday and will be taken across the border to fight with the Ukranians. I'm going to try and persuade him otherwise but he is determined and it's all in place for him to go. I admire him but don't want him to go. My poor sister is in bits and flying in from Spain tomorrow to see him.
Click to expand...
Who is he going with? Are there large groups of people organising these trips, or is it a bit more a case of individuals travelling over and seeing what happens when they get there?
 
AmandaJR said:
Off to see my nephew shortly. He's ex army and flies to Poland on Monday and will be taken across the border to fight with the Ukranians. I'm going to try and persuade him otherwise but he is determined and it's all in place for him to go. I admire him but don't want him to go. My poor sister is in bits and flying in from Spain tomorrow to see him.
Click to expand...

Hopefully you can persuade him but sounds like he feels this is something he needs to do. If he goes just hope he can return safely and soon
 
Swango1980 said:
Who is he going with? Are there large groups of people organising these trips, or is it a bit more a case of individuals travelling over and seeing what happens when they get there?
Click to expand...

From a report that I saw, you can volunteer through the Ukrainian embassy so there are oganised options.
 
pauljames87 said:
As bad as ours?
Click to expand...

From BBC:

He says that US President Joe Biden has said the only alternative to sanctions is a third world war - and Lavrov goes on to say that a third world war could only be "nuclear war".

He says that is only in the heads of Western politicians - and is not in the heads of the Russian people.

"If real war is waged against us then those who make such plans should think about it [and] in my opinion such plans are being made," he says.
 
In terms of the video I posted with Frederick Kagan, some of the interesting things he talked about:

  • As part of Russian doctrine, they use a form of gaslighting in warfare. They basically send out a false narrative to their enemies, such that they struggle to know how to react towards Russian aggression when it happens.
  • However, on this occasion, one of the good things the West (Biden) did was take him on by calling Putin out ahead of time. They told the world what Russia would do and say, and this likely infuriated Putin. This could be an explanation as to why he invaded Ukraine now. It is a complex question, but could be well down to the fact that Putin was that aggravated that he gave the green light for the invasion.
  • Kagan actually predicted Russia would NOT invade Ukraine, and holds his hands up that he was wrong. However, his reasoning that they would not invade was intriguing. Basically, from a military point of view, Russia were not set up to conduct a highly successful invasion, rather they looked to be set up to simply intimidate. He goes into depth to the reasons why, but it may explain why the invasion has been sluggish up to now.
  • He has never seen protests inside Russia quite like this. What was chilling was when he said that most of the protesters that have been arrested will likely never be seen again, and will likely be killed. It was chilling how he said it in such a matter of fact way without any additional comments to back this up, from a guy who clearly knows a lot about Russia now, and about its history. I was left asking, is this really the case? If so, I could never question a Russian for not standing up against Putin, when you could easily pay with your life (after being tortured)
  • One of the reasons it will hit the Russians so hard (aside from an economical point) is that they do not see Ukraine as the enemy, not even Putin and his media have brainwashed them to think Ukraine is the enemy. The west, yes, they are the enemy, but not Ukraine. So, many many Russians will not be prepared for the fact that they are at war with Ukraine, who they would see as friendly neighbours.
  • He said Russia would not use nuclear weapons, because the west will never threaten Russia's sovereignty. It is not like the west plan to invade Russia and steal their land, but if they are driven to war with Russia, it would involve the west defending the NATO borders.
Mind you, I see the Russian foreign minister has just openly said WW3 would be a nuclear war. So, weather we are prepared to just laugh that off as intimidation tactics or not is another matter.
 
Also, I noticed Tyson Fury said that if the UK are dragged into a war, he will be first to sign on the dotted line, along with his father, to go and fight. He has 2 rules, Love your woman and defend your country by fighting for it.
 
I know it is so easy to be cynical about media manipulation but the video of Ukrainians calling the mum of a Russian soldier so as he could let her know that he was alive and OK but had been captured was hearwarming and gives me some faith in humanity.

From the more hard nosed point, from what i have read, the mothers of deceased russian soldiers in any conflict can be a fierce political power if they turn on the government.
 
GB72 said:
I know it is so easy to be cynical about media manipulation but the video of Ukrainians calling the mum of a Russian soldier so as he could let her know that he was alive and OK but had been captured was heart warming and gives me some faith in humanity.

From the more hard nosed point, from what i have read, the mothers of deceased Russian soldiers in any conflict can be a fierce political power if they turn on the government.
Click to expand...

Both are correct.

Other than the reinstatement of the Soviet Bloc, I can see not Russian Motive for this.

Russians per se (from those I've worked with) have no love for war. They suffered greatly in WW2 and the stories are passed down. Mind you, there's a separation of "people" and "politicians" in most places.
 
Swango1980 said:
Who is he going with? Are there large groups of people organising these trips, or is it a bit more a case of individuals travelling over and seeing what happens when they get there?
Click to expand...
GB72 said:
From a report that I saw, you can volunteer through the Ukrainian embassy so there are oganised options.
Click to expand...

Yes this. It is organised and he will join one of 150 TA defence battalions or the International Brigade that has been set up. So he's going alone in terms of booking flight and getting to Poland but then is met and crosses the border. He's got a list of kit they want him to try and get and his ex amy pals have worked hard to get him all they can. Otherwise he admits he's not sure what he'll be doing, what arms will be provided etc but is prepared to do anything that's needed. He describes himself as "wired to be a soldier" and is also "fit, healthy and without commitments".
 
AmandaJR said:
Yes this. It is organised and he will join one of 150 TA defence battalions or the International Brigade that has been set up. So he's going alone in terms of booking flight and getting to Poland but then is met and crosses the border. He's got a list of kit they want him to try and get and his ex amy pals have worked hard to get him all they can. Otherwise he admits he's not sure what he'll be doing, what arms will be provided etc but is prepared to do anything that's needed. He describes himself as "wired to be a soldier" and is also "fit, healthy and without commitments".
Click to expand...
As the father of a serving soldier I can quite imagine what you are going through. I hope and pray his superior training and expertise keeps him safe and he is home as soon as possible.
 
Another question for you knowledgeable guys:-

The UK seems heavily involved, with Boris in a couple of countries earlier in the week, Lyn Truss in Estonia or somewhere near there with another Minister today.
What are other European Countries doing; I see Macron at times, but very little else?

Why do we always have/ appear to want to take the lead?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top