Russia Invades

[Lancasterclaret]

https://twitter.com/KFM936/status/1498612387519373317

Possibly positive news, the Kremin considers Zelensky a legitimate president of Ukraine

[Lancasterclaret]

https://twitter.com/bura_tinko/status/1 ... 7998686211

Might be less camera phone photos as these Russian troops warning not to be filmed

I wonder if that has been ordered, as they weren't remotely bothered before

[Lancasterclaret]

https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/statu ... 2123345923

State of the Art Russian SAM system abandoned in a field

[duncandisorderly]

https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/statu ... 2123345923

State of the Art Russian SAM system abandoned in a field

I've a younger cousin called Sam and I sometimes wish he'd been abandoned in a field.

[Billy Balfour]

This Twitter thread is well worth reading.

Big Thread: After a few more days of war, I've been carefully monitoring Russian social media reaction and production and I'm more convinced than before that Putin's regime has totally overestimated its ability to win a propaganda war.

https://twitter.com/irgarner/status/149 ... 8DSSw&s=19

[CoolClaret]

I'm going to come right out and say i'm perfectly ok with pro-Ukraine propaganda

Hmmm - I still feel like the ‘entire picture’ hasn’t been portrayed by the mainstream news media. Why the conflict arose or if it could have been avoided (most probably could have).

Biden’s (Joe and Hunter) involvement in Ukraine around 2014 brokering deals, Trump taking money off whoever will give it to him, Tory party dirty money, plus a load more background information/nuance on the conflict such as as a lot of ethnic Russians in the East of Ukraine that aren’t entirely happy with Zelenskyy or Zelenskyy suppressing his political opposition.

It’s more a Putin attacking because he’s hell bent for world domination (not that he necessarily isn’t mind) and Zelenskyy is an absolute gem of a bloke and never been involved in any wrong doing (again really admire his strong & courageous leadership during this horrific invasion).

Note - not excusing this invasion in the slightest… as I mentioned on page 1, Putin has clearly overstepped any such semblance of a mark and appears to have completely lost the plot.

[TsarBomba]

Nexta- European Parliament accepts Ukraines application to join EU.

[Lancasterclaret]

Nexta- European Parliament accepts Ukraines application to join EU.

Candidate status surely?

You can't get into the EU just like that, or Turkey will be absolutely fuming

[Lancasterclaret]

Russia reporting that Ukraine no longer has access to the Sea of Azov, which would mean that Mariupol has fallen

Course, there isn't any verification, but they are certainly doing well in some areas, and really, really, really badly in others

[TsarBomba]

Candidate status surely?

You can't get into the EU just like that, or Turkey will be absolutely fuming

Yes- will go to a special admission procedure. Not immediate.

[Lancasterclaret]

Yes- will go to a special admission procedure. Not immediate.

Won't happen at all while the fighting is going on I would guess

But it is a sign of European intentions here, and that can only be a good thing

[TsarBomba]

Russia reporting that Ukraine no longer has access to the Sea of Azov, which would mean that Mariupol has fallen

Course, there isn't any verification, but they are certainly doing well in some areas, and really, really, really badly in others

Significant, and strategic for Russia if true. That means some very considerable gains in the south for them.

I did see earlier that Ukraine had sent missiles to an airfield in Berdiansk where Russia was staging troops and hardware, but not seen or heard what the result was.

[Lancasterclaret]

Significant, and strategic for Russia if true. That means some very considerable gains in the south for them.

I did see earlier that Ukraine had sent missiles to an airfield in Berdiansk where Russia was staging troops and hardware, but not seen or heard what the result was.

Thing is, all the Russian accounts on twitter are essentially reporting what Russian wants them to, so there are no destroyed Russian equipment on any of them

Which means you have to take their claims about what they have managed to do with a huge pinch of salt

Someone mentioned one a lot earlier in the thread as one, but its first pic was of destroyed Ukrainian MIG-29s at an airforce base in Western Ukraine, but they have been mothballed for years due to lack of spare parts.

[Lancasterclaret]

https://twitter.com/phildstewart/status ... 1960413185

Well, I assume the Russian media meant to say "they have stopped having access to the Sea of Azov, apart from Mariupol"

[TsarBomba]

Thing is, all the Russian accounts on twitter are essentially reporting what Russian wants them to, so there are no destroyed Russian equipment on any of them

Which means you have to take their claims about what they have managed to do with a huge pinch of salt

Someone mentioned one a lot earlier in the thread as one, but its first pic was of destroyed Ukrainian MIG-29s at an airforce base in Western Ukraine, but they have been mothballed for years due to lack of spare parts.

I’ve only seen a couple of mentions of this supposed Ukrainian missile strike at Berdiansk, but if true, then it would appear to dovetail with Russian claims (to an extent).

As we know, the ability of Ukraine to launch any sort of long range strike will be very limited. And what strikes they pursue will be carefully considered. If Ukraine have indeed resorted to striking the airfield, then the situation is likely to be grave, and all other tactical options have been exhausted.

[Lancasterclaret]

I’ve only seen a couple of mentions of this supposed Ukrainian missile strike at Berdiansk, but if true, then it would appear to dovetail with Russian claims (to an extent).

As we know, the ability of Ukraine to launch any sort of long range strike will be very limited. And what strikes they pursue will be carefully considered. If Ukraine have indeed resorted to striking the airfield, then the situation is likely to be grave, and all other tactical options have been exhausted.

I haven't heard about the one at Berdiansk, but I have seen footage of the one at Taganarog (which I think is in the occupied east of Ukraine)

I would concur that the chances of a missile strike at an airfield succeeding being extremely low

I'd need a lot more info though to say what it means about their military situation, as everyone thought the drones would be hopeless in the face of Russian AA ability, and that clearly hasn't been the case

But I would say that the situation in the south looks a lot more serious than in the north, but again, if the population isn't going to accept Russian troops or occupation, then it won't be secure, and they won't have the troops to stop attacks on supply convoys and the like

[Lancasterclaret]

Just seen the Berdiansk one

Ballistic missile strike

[TsarBomba]

Just seen the Berdiansk one

Ballistic missile strike

Have you got the link, please?

[Lancasterclaret]

Bloody hell

Balls of steel these civilians

https://twitter.com/franakviacorka/stat ... 8004726788

[Lancasterclaret]

Have you got the link, please?

Sorry, only got the official confirmation of a strike from the Ukrainians

Rob lee has pics of the one at Taganrog though

[GodIsADeeJay81]

There was a Ukrainian woman on 5Live/Nihal's show earlier.

She pointed out that if Ukraine still had its nuclear weapons then this invasion wouldn't be happening, but Russia, UK and USA all promised to protect Ukraine from aggressors....she's demanding to know why they aren't being protected from Russia by the USA and UK.

She made a very valid point there.

[RicardoMontalban]

There was a Ukrainian woman on 5Live/Nihal's show earlier.

She pointed out that if Ukraine still had its nuclear weapons then this invasion wouldn't be happening, but Russia, UK and USA all promised to protect Ukraine from aggressors....she's demanding to know why they aren't being protected from Russia by the USA and UK.

She made a very valid point there.

The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances 1994.

[Billy Balfour]

Emotional plea to our PM.

Pleas for NATO cover on the border to allow refugees cross safely, asks why Abramovich and Putin’s children she claims are in London and the EU are not sanctioned while people in Ukraine dying

https://twitter.com/i/status/1498618776035680260

[Lancasterclaret]

Some variation

Destroyed Ukrainian BTR-4 near Khark'iv

https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/statu ... 7414635523

[elwaclaret]

US asking the UN to expel Russia from the Human Rights council to prevent the Russian Veto stopping UN moves.
PM Boris Johnson in Poland (a not often reported special relationship within Europe).

[Lancasterclaret]

Dunno if its already been posted, but its a film from Day one of the war, and a Russian helicopter being shot down by a MANPADS

But the bloke going mental at it being shot down and cheering his head off is doing it in Russian, which I think shows how much miscalculation there is in the current Russian stance

There is a huge Russian minority in Ukraine, most of it in the areas the Kremlin is currently trying to flatten

No better way to turn a population against you than that

https://twitter.com/BFreeTheatre/status ... 8943477761

[android]

Emotional plea to our PM.

Pleas for NATO cover on the border to allow refugees cross safely, asks why Abramovich and Putin’s children she claims are in London and the EU are not sanctioned while people in Ukraine dying

https://twitter.com/i/status/1498618776035680260

One of the stories of the day from a UK perspective. The journalist was calling for a no fly zone, meaning that UK/NATO enter into direct combat with Russia.

A lot of blue hearts criticising PM for his response, many presumably without realising that PM's position is that of avoiding immediate escalation to potential world/nuclear war.

[Lancasterclaret]

Blimey

Essentially the Russians are using civilian radios and have little or no operational security when they are communicating

They can't be this badly organised, they just can't be......but the destroyed/abandoned vehicles and the lack of basic op sec before the start of the invasion does suggest so

https://twitter.com/sbreakintl/status/1 ... 3717142529

[elwaclaret]

Chechen rebel groups joining Ukraine defence.

https://twitter.com/neilphauer/status/1 ... 59905?s=21

[OakworthClaret]

Emotional plea to our PM.

Pleas for NATO cover on the border to allow refugees cross safely, asks why Abramovich and Putin’s children she claims are in London and the EU are not sanctioned while people in Ukraine dying

https://twitter.com/i/status/1498618776035680260

How powerful was that. Certainly looked to fluster boris

[Lancasterclaret]

Russians attacking the main TV tower in Kiev

Presume that they are desperate to stop any communications coming out?

Not sure if this will affect mobile phone stuff though to be perfectly honest

https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko/statu ... 5816574995

[Lancasterclaret]

More on the unpreparedness of the average Russian soldier due to just not being told what is happening



https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status ... 1287754758

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Russians attacking the main TV tower in Kiev

Presume that they are desperate to stop any communications coming out?

Not sure if this will affect mobile phone stuff though to be perfectly honest

https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko/statu ... 5816574995

Hasn't Elon Musk made this attack pointless with his internet satellites being activated?

[Lancasterclaret]

Hasn't Elon Musk made this attack pointless with his internet satellites being activated?

I'm the complete opposite of a tech head mate, so I have no idea!

[Vegas Claret]

Hasn't Elon Musk made this attack pointless with his internet satellites being activated?

yes, but they hit the tv tower, I suspect there will be a lot of people in Ukraine who get their info from there rather than the internet. Stunned it's taken Russia this long to do it

[daveisaclaret]

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/arc ... es/622954/

Good link there on Starlink - like every time Musk inserts himself into a global situation it's just hollow PR.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

I'm the complete opposite of a tech head mate, so I have no idea!

Elon Musk has basically given Ukraine free and unlimited WiFi to ensure they can't be silenced.
Destroying a TV station won't stop the world finding out what Russia are doing.
The Russians appear to be well behind in their thinking tactically here.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

I stand corrected by Davisclarets post

[bfcjg]

Russian doctors urge Putin to stop invasion

Thousands of Russian doctors and healthcare workers have signed an open letter urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities against Ukraine.

The doctors, nurses and paramedics say they “strongly oppose the military actions carried out by Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine” and called for the removal of troops.

“Our mission is to save human lives,” the letter said.

“At this difficult time for both countries, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the resolution of all political issues exclusively by peaceful means.”

More than 15,000 medical professionals had signed the letter as of Monday.

You can bet it is the tip.of the iceberg, the Russian people will turn on the leaders,they have so much to lose.

[Taffy on the wing]

Seventy Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russian missile strike on their barracks. Russian cowards.

Did you feel the same, when the UK and US were bombing innocent Iraqi and Afghani people?

[GodIsADeeJay81]

https://twitter.com/idreesali114/status ... ZAcZA&s=19

Reports the column of Russian vehicles isn't actually moving ..

[elwaclaret]

Russian doctors urge Putin to stop invasion

Thousands of Russian doctors and healthcare workers have signed an open letter urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities against Ukraine.

The doctors, nurses and paramedics say they “strongly oppose the military actions carried out by Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine” and called for the removal of troops.

“Our mission is to save human lives,” the letter said.

“At this difficult time for both countries, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the resolution of all political issues exclusively by peaceful means.”

More than 15,000 medical professionals had signed the letter as of Monday.

You can bet it is the tip.of the iceberg, the Russian people will turn on the leaders,they have so much to lose.

The problem they have is isolated protest is ineffective. While Russia mops up thousands a day, it remains more or less business as usual in a country used to such repression. Until Russians can get a co-ordinated resistance their is little they can do. They have precedent both the October and Soviet revolutions were achieved by direct action. Sadly the Bolsheviks that stole power from the people have been making certain the Russian people themselves believe opposition is futile.

[Lancasterclaret]

Well, according to this pretty reliable source, this is a captured Russian TOS-1A Thermobaric MRL

Looks fully loaded as well (but I do wonder if its stuck in the mud)

https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/statu ... 0429425672

[Lancasterclaret]

https://twitter.com/idreesali114/status ... ZAcZA&s=19

Reports the column of Russian vehicles isn't actually moving ..

A 17 km long column of military vehicles is essentially a traffic jam

Remember this is a combat situation and its winter, the engines will be running all the time, and one thing lots stuff painted green uses a lot of is fuel

[Vegas Claret]

A 17 km long column of military vehicles is essentially a traffic jam

Remember this is a combat situation and its winter, the engines will be running all the time, and one thing lots stuff painted green uses a lot of is fuel

so far I've seen it reported as 17km, 40km and then 27km long - shows how difficult it is to get accurate info

[Lancasterclaret]

Details of 120,000 Russian combat soldiers in Ukraine leaked online

Bloody hell

https://twitter.com/RidT/status/1498692537741025284

[tiger76]

https://twitter.com/idreesali114/status ... ZAcZA&s=19

Reports the column of Russian vehicles isn't actually moving ..

Hmm! fuel shortages do you think? probably explains why they're putting so much effort into capturing Mariupol, if they get access to the port it should make it much easier for them to get supplies to the front line.

But if Russia's plan was a lightening war, and taking Kiev within a few days, then things have gone badly awry for them, and you have to wonder how long Putin can maintain the facade of success which he's presently spinning.

[elwaclaret]

Did you feel the same, when the UK and US were bombing innocent Iraqi and Afghani people?

So there is no difference in fighting despotism and invading a democracy? I presume you’ll have your red flag is ready when Putin moves into the Balkans.

There are many reasons for the East not to trust the West, the 60’s and 70’s policies most of all. Iraq invaded Kuwait to steal its oil fields and Afghanistan was a long established training ground for Islamic Terrorism. Ukraine has problems, like Britain but Ukraine is a democratic independent country avoiding suppression. Your comparison is nonsensical.

[Vegas Claret]

Well, according to this pretty reliable source, this is a captured Russian TOS-1A Thermobaric MRL

Looks fully loaded as well (but I do wonder if its stuck in the mud)

https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/statu ... 0429425672

that's good news

[Firthy]

Did you feel the same, when the UK and US were bombing innocent Iraqi and Afghani people?

Still doesn't justify what the Russian army are doing.