Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion

MikeUpNorth said:
Macron has looked a clown throughout this whole saga. I can’t believe the US is too happy with him running around and acting like he calls the shots.
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Quite agree. He has tried to portray himself as the one who can persuade Putin to change his mind. Well that worked out well.
 
Bosws87 said:
People posting it’s commendable the Russians are outside the capital, give your head a wobble let’s hope you are never put in this situation in your lifetime.
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I hoped that was just poor wording choice and he simply meant “surprising” that Russia had managed to reach Kiev so quickly.
 
MikeUpNorth said:
An EU army is a really dumb idea, for many reasons. The big ones being a lack of command structure, slow decision making, lack of democratic oversight and duplication with NATO.

NATO already exists. The nations of Europe just need to properly fund, train and equip their militaries and thereby strengthen NATO and the defence capabilities of Europe.

All this EU army talk is just a distraction, and largely being pushed by France who have always been reluctant members of NATO.
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Again. Got to agree with all of this. Macron sees himself and France as the leader of the EU.
 
Mickeza said:
BBC are reporting they’ve dropped any age restrictions to signing up in Ukraine.
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Mad that the BBC had any authority over the Ukrainian military in the first place.
 
sport2793 said:
What I don't get about this is the total lack of leverage right now. Russia clearly thinks it can successfully establish a puppet regime and then leave the country. Why would they feel the need to stop and negotiate now? Feels like desperation unfortunately
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I had a interesting talk with an old colleague who studied military strategy and has worked within military organisations for over 30 years.

His take is that it would be better for the Ukraine and it's civilians to lose this conflict quickly instead of pulling the military back in to major cities to fortify positions, which seems to be happening at the moment according to him.

He says that unless the Ukraine military are 100% sure that they will retain air superiority this will end in a mass slaughter of civilians. If Russia gains air superiority they would push forward artillery and demolish fortified positions and if these positions are within cities the cost of lives will be immense.
 
Smithy89 said:
I thought some Chechens were fighting with Ukraine, unless that was just rumours yesterday.
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There are two sides to Chechnya nowadays, those that capitulated to Russia and those that wouldn't be seen dead doing that.
 
Ananke said:
India will not be aligning itself with China + Russia. It'll stay quiet on current events but I can't see China - India buddying up...
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India and China have had a strenuous relationship for a very long time, haven't' they? Several wars and skirmishes over the years over territory? They're not exactly the best of buddies.
 
Mickeza said:
BBC are reporting they’ve dropped any age restrictions to signing up in Ukraine.
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Adding that they believe this includes child soldiers.
Ukraine army: We need all recruits, no age restrictions
Ukraine's Defence Force has just tweeted again, calling for all civilians to join regardless of their age - even if they're minors, presumably.
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Rektsanwalt said:
The financial structure and the budget are a joke! Modern military in a highly developed country costs a lot more than we were willing to spend. Abolishing mandatory military service, creating a culture of anti patriotism and a society that is so spoiled by peace and economical power that it looks down on anything military related creates exactly this situation. Our military is in absolute shambles and it's hardly a surprise, it's systematic failure over literally decades. Our left leaning course over the last 20 years adds to that as well - we were naive, as we thought the US would always guarantee european security. But now that the day has come, some really are surprised that we lack military power. It's unbelievable, really. I am quite furious, honestly. We did everything to dismantle our military and now we see the results: being toothless. And make no mistake, even if we triple our budget, we won't become a military power over night. These things take many years to actually work. In the highly unlikely event that society AND the government actually realises this crisis and we start spending much, much, much more, we will still need around 3-5 years to have a considerable force.
Anecdotal example: around 30-40% of our military helicopters are actually ready to use. It's just one number but it represents the problem as a whole. Our military is absolute shit and will always be. We lack qualified personnel (no one who's highly qualified wants to join the german military bar very few example in the highest command!), functioning equipment, modern equipment, social recognition and - don't get me wrong on this part - military pride and identity. The historical break after world war 2 and our very important and absolutely necessary Erinnerungskultur has made it so we think more about after whom our military bases are named after but how they are run. Our military has no real identity, as any identification with our former military will only result in public outrage.
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Back in the day, a lot of military leaders actually said that mandatory military service wasn't worth the hassle and most people who did it really don't care about it and just wanted to get their time over with. 7 months of military service like it was towards the end also was in no way enough to time to teach them anything substantial, bar this is how you hold a rifle and how not to shoot yourself in the foot.

Like I said we also need to spend more on the military, I think this is one thing Trump was actually right about, we get away too cheaply when it comes to paying for our security, but the money needs to go to the military and not an army of external advisors that our former government was so keen on, the current probably still are as well. But again that's politics for you, instead of sitting behind bars because of corruption and wasting taxpayer money von der Leyen was sent to the head of the EU commission.
 
I still think the scenario of nuclear weapons is completely unlikely, even if NATO gets involved, but it is a perfect excuse for everyone involved. If anything, no one wants the financial consequences, just look at the sanctions in place, designed to look more harsh than they are.
 
I am very disappointed with the help to Ukraine, I feel a bit ashamed actually, but I do not know, maybe it is just me. I would have thought something more could be done for the poor Ukrainians... This reminds me of the inactions before ww2. .
 
Bosws87 said:
This thread show the Russian propaganda is working great in the west some of the posts are nothing short of a disgrace.

People posting it’s commendable the Russians are outside the capital, give your head a wobble let’s hope you are never put in this situation in your lifetime.
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Criticising NATO doesnt mean I'm pro Russia. Just like calling their invasion effective and impressive doesnt mean I'm pro Russia.

Maybe stop butting it without context?
 
Rektsanwalt said:
at least google NATO
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At least google how to use cases.


NATO has been flirting with Ukraine for how long now? Depending on who you listen to, this was one of the triggers for the current invasion. They're in the middle of this, so now the chickens have come home to roost, they can't just wash their hands and pretend like that's not the case.
 
Sky1981 said:
Criticising NATO doesnt mean I'm pro Russia. Just like calling their invasion effective and impressive doesnt mean I'm pro Russia.

Maybe stop butting it without context?
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Sorry, but there is an ongoing invasion going on with Russia as the aggressor. Yet some people seem to be more bothered by NATO and the US than what is currently happening in Ukraine. It's a weird set of priorities, at best.
 
Cardboard elk said:
They hate China! How could they ever join up with them This is nonsense.
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I wasn't aware of that. I read something about some joint agreement to improve economic and military relationships yesterday. Could be a bunch of BS or old news.
 
VorZakone said:
I struggle with this. I feel like there was no point having 13 border guards on that island when an invasion was imminent. Ukraine should have brought them back to the mainland and join defensive operations.

Just horror all around.
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Awful lot of fetishization of war and Hollywood style Saving Private Ryan type stuff going on in this thread.
 
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