NATO is not a threat to Russia. If Russia got on with its own business without invading others there would be no issue whatsoever.
Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion
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NATO is not a threat to Russia. If Russia got on with its own business without invading others there would be no issue whatsoever.
Putin sees it differently, although I don't know enough to say if he's correct.
He said about a fortnight before the invasion that if Ukraine gained NATO membership, along with its recent military overhaul, it is possible Ukraine would be emboldened enough to attempt to recapture Crimea. He feared that in this situation, they could invoke article 5 when Russia started bombing Ukrainian airfields in response.
This scenario would put NATO in direct conflict with Russia with Ukraine having "started it" (which is a bit rich since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014).
Regardless, in that very specific scenario he claims to see NATO as a threat, or at least a NATO backed Ukraine. There are a few holes in this theory though, would Ukraine really attempt to take Crimea and expect NATO backing if they gained membership? None of us can really say, seems unlikely on the face of things. Second, what does the current invasion of Ukraine actually achieve in regard to the theoretical scenario Putin described above? I can't see it making any difference unless Russia takes Kiev and installs a puppet government, one that allows them to retain a constant military force in Ukraine. Or maybe they hope that as part of the peace treaty, Ukraine pledges never to join NATO. I digress, but Putin has given reasons as to why he considers NATO a threat - that effectively it embolden his enemies. Whether this is true, or even if he actually believes it, we'll likely never know.
If NATO was a threat they would have done something by now. Instead we see that even when Russia attacks a country in Europe they won't send a single soldier out of fear, and they're gonna invade Russia? Makes no sense except in conspiracy land.
I maintain Putin doesn't believe any of this, it's just the best conspiracy story they could come up with to excuse a naked power grab.
You are not wrong, but when someone talks about "NATO expansion" it often sounds like NATO conquers other countries or enslaves them or something. Which is definitely not true. Countries ask to join on their own volition, and counties can also decide to leave if they want to. It is not like "the expansion of the Roman Empire", or the expansion of Russia.
After what happened with Ukraine, when I see anything about "NATO expansion" I now don't even bother to read or watch it, I automatically assume it is Putinistas talking bullshit.
Russia says it has launched hypersonic missiles
The Russian defence ministry claims to have destroyed an underground warehouse in western Ukraine using hypersonic missiles.
It says the depot in the Ivano-Frankivsk region had contained missiles and aircraft ammunition, though this has not been independently verified by Sky News.
Hypersonic missiles are able to travel five times faster than the speed of sound, at speeds of Mach 5 (3,800 mph) and higher.
This is the first time Russia has admitted to using weapons of this type.
The BBC reports that the "Kinzhal" missile system was deployed in the strike. It is understood this is capable of hitting targets at a range of 1,242 miles.
Meanwhile, Russia says it also destroyed Ukrainian military radio and reconnaissance centres near the port city of Odesa using a coastal missile system.
The Russian defence ministry claims to have destroyed an underground warehouse in western Ukraine using hypersonic missiles.
It says the depot in the Ivano-Frankivsk region had contained missiles and aircraft ammunition, though this has not been independently verified by Sky News.
Hypersonic missiles are able to travel five times faster than the speed of sound, at speeds of Mach 5 (3,800 mph) and higher.
This is the first time Russia has admitted to using weapons of this type.
The BBC reports that the "Kinzhal" missile system was deployed in the strike. It is understood this is capable of hitting targets at a range of 1,242 miles.
Meanwhile, Russia says it also destroyed Ukrainian military radio and reconnaissance centres near the port city of Odesa using a coastal missile system.
apparently Putin has banned this.
Fifth general down. Starting to think that some of them might have been killed by FSB for not being able to execute their tasks.
Wasn't the idea of Ukraine joining NATO around before Russia went into Crimea? Seems a bit odd that you might worry about that after.
Was there any indication that NATO was willing to accept Ukraine with the territory dispute going on?
Are countries in Europe still getting oil, gas etc from Russia? Has the US completely stopped dealing/transacting with Russia?
Yes I know, short of that short list.
Sauce?
Ketchup
I noticed on Thursday watching ITV news there was only one piece on news coverage covering the war compared to even a week before where it was the only thing being covered.
I hope I'm wrong but I feel war fatigue may kick in with the west and arguably it already has. Even if we look at this thread, last week i come back on here after sleeping and it's double figure pages to catch up on, now it's four at most.
I hope I'm wrong but I feel war fatigue may kick in with the west and arguably it already has. Even if we look at this thread, last week i come back on here after sleeping and it's double figure pages to catch up on, now it's four at most.
There's not much happening in all honesty in terms of big developments. Kyiv is the big fish but Russians haven't been able to properly reach and attack it.
It definitely has already kicked in, yes - you're not wrong. There's no new significant development from a western pov, more or less stagnation, which is why people stopped paying as much attention. And that's okay.
When I say worried i was thinking more in the sense of willingness to help (in terms of donations etc). Not saying it makes people bad but it's human nature to not be as on the ball 6 months in as it is 2 weeks in (another example would be the slow erosion of things like clap for key workers and the all in this together spirit over the lockdowns).
I don't think it's just the war fatigue, it's just how many times can you report the same thing. Russians are shelling the cities, they are making very limited, if any progress. Basically the state of war is the same for almost 10 days now. Basically there is nothing new going on and it's hard to talk and bring anything new of note do discuss.
My parents have accepted Ukrainian refugees (we are not in UK), I've met them a few days ago, so this war is always on my mind, but it's simply hard to contribute anything to discussions. Basically it's wait and see how the next few weeks/months go and hope Russian front and economy falls apart or something.
Well, my business is raising some funds for a donation this month, so it will come due in two weeks. But yes, personal donations won't be as significant in the coming weeks. However, those are not that important, the important donations are from governments and I can't see those stopping coming in. UK, EU and USA will want to support Ukraine as much as possible and they will do it, because they will know war is going on and governments don't care about news cycles (in this context, of course they care if there's something dodgy being reported) but rather strategic goals, and handling Putin will remain a strategic goal for Western powers. At least I believe it so.
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A case of no news is good news? This means that the Russians have not progressed and are bogged down. Same shit different days ain't newsworthy.
I’ve watched BBC News, Sky News and Channel 4’s Youtube content since the invasion began, and whilst the news cycle has definitely slowed down, it is still absolutely dominating. I don’t really watch ITV News, but I think they have gone for quite a strong regional news focus in recent years?
The only two stories though to get any real significant attention on all of these broadcasters, outside of Ukraine, Russia and the reactions from the West, have been the release of the Iranian prisoners and the P&O mass dismissals. That’s pretty much been it for over three weeks now, which feels unparalleled. Even COVID didn’t quite dominate in the same way.
The story is the Sun quoting the Star, so bullshit squared, but how close to readiness for the battlefield are full-on Iron Man-style suits?
Fears Russia’s deadly ‘Robocop’ exoskeleton suit may be used in Ukraine but armour has one major flaw
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18000760/russia-exoskeleton-suits-armour-ukraine-robocop-iron-man/
Fears Russia’s deadly ‘Robocop’ exoskeleton suit may be used in Ukraine but armour has one major flaw
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18000760/russia-exoskeleton-suits-armour-ukraine-robocop-iron-man/
It does genuinely feel like Ukriane has ground Russia to a bit of a standstill in some places and massively slowed it’s main attacks that were destined for Kyiv so it’s hard to know what has changed bar more shelling. I guess the news has to pace their updates to keep the masses interested - sadly I think this desensitisation is just part of the social media world now, you can’t change it but you can manage it.
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What a bootlicker.
Impressive levels of cuckery here. Maybe Vlad will make him a Col in the Russian Army after all.
Impressive getting WiFi so deep inside Putin's ass
That’s only from one region and many more are just simply left behind.
The story is the Sun quoting the Star, so bullshit squared, but how close to readiness for the battlefield are full-on Iron Man-style suits?
Fears Russia’s deadly ‘Robocop’ exoskeleton suit may be used in Ukraine but armour has one major flaw
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18000760/russia-exoskeleton-suits-armour-ukraine-robocop-iron-man/
I remember them looking at these about 10 years ago, the power consumption is massive and they're quite cumbersome things still. The US canned their program a few years ago.
They're useful for enhancing single tasks like helping somebody carry heavy objects or increasing endurance but not for front line soldiering, we're a long way off an Ironman style bullet proof suit.
Interesting the US canned it- I guess it has to be so multipurpose to be effective. The cost of these things must be prohibitive for mass rollout across thousands of infantry too you'd imagine too.
It makes you wonder how many the Russians would really have at their disposal if the Americans thought it wasn't cost effective. The Russian military budget is probably lower than my weekly Cadbury's allowance.
Beyond the invasion, the subsequent looting, theft, and random destruction of property have had something to do with ti.