Current Affairs Ukraine

[Tin-Tin]

Reports coming in that many Russian BTG staging areas are now empty with troops and equipment forward deployed to assault positions.

A lot of reports of airborne assault forces on the move with a significant increase in the number of assault and transport helicopters deployed very close to the border along with their fuel depots.

I think all the pieces are now in place - now let’s see how the diplomats do in the next 36 hours.

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

God help Ukraine. Things are about to get ugly

 

[dublinbluenose]

Preparing

 

[Kev The Rat]

Surely he has to attack. There aren't any concessions available to him to declare himself the victor, if he withdraws.

 

[PhilM]

God help Ukraine. Things are about to get ugly

Over the past twenty-four hours, there's been an increase in ground and naval forces in the region, including moving to staging posts.

Monitoring of communications will be the big acid test: a sharp increase or decrease will suggest an attack is imminent. The 16th is the magic number.

 

[devogue]

 

[Frenk]

At least nuclear annihilation would prevent us getting relegated

Radioactive super players?

 

[Kurt.]

Radioactive super players?

Most of ours could do with a bomb under them anyway

 

[Ruairi77]

havent read all of this thread but this is all grimly interesting.
How do you think this will play out if Russia invades?
I don't think there's the appetite here for US troops on the ground so presumably it'll be Ukrainian troops backed by NATO arms/expertise.
Then presumably sanctions come in to play, will the west cut shipping lanes to Russia, will Russia turn off the gas.
Where does it stop, will it even start?

 

[bullybeef]

havent read all of this thread but this is all grimly interesting.
How do you think this will play out if Russia invades?
I don't think there's the appetite here for US troops on the ground so presumably it'll be Ukrainian troops backed by NATO arms/expertise.
Then presumably sanctions come in to play, will the west cut shipping lanes to Russia, will Russia turn off the gas.
Where does it stop, will it even start?

My guess is the latter.
It’s in no one’s interest for war to start and all the carnage and loss of life that follows.

 

[Del-boy]

Still think this is all just posturing. Can’t see there being a war. I say war, without the western powers putting boots on the ground Ukraine will fall in days.

We had all this with North Korea a few years back. All came to nothing.

 

[slipstream86]

havent read all of this thread but this is all grimly interesting.
How do you think this will play out if Russia invades?
I don't think there's the appetite here for US troops on the ground so presumably it'll be Ukrainian troops backed by NATO arms/expertise.
Then presumably sanctions come in to play, will the west cut shipping lanes to Russia, will Russia turn off the gas.
Where does it stop, will it even start?

Impossible for any NATO nation badged troops to be involved on the ground firing at Russian invaders. Nuclear powers don't go head to head on the battlefield for obvious reasons.

Still think that Russia would prefer a diplomatic solution, however given that time for an effective invasion is ticking away as the ground thaw edges closer, they may have to make an initial advance probably into eastern Ukraine, and start a new round of diplomacy.

War is politics by other means

 

[Yarrgh]

havent read all of this thread but this is all grimly interesting.
How do you think this will play out if Russia invades?
I don't think there's the appetite here for US troops on the ground so presumably it'll be Ukrainian troops backed by NATO arms/expertise.
Then presumably sanctions come in to play, will the west cut shipping lanes to Russia, will Russia turn off the gas.
Where does it stop, will it even start?

The only person who thinks he knows is sitting at the far end of very long tables from anyone else.

 

[ds3000]

Impossible for any NATO nation badged troops to be involved on the ground firing at Russian invaders. Nuclear powers don't go head to head on the battlefield for obvious reasons.

Still think that Russia would prefer a diplomatic solution, however given that time for an effective invasion is ticking away as the ground thaw edges closer, they may have to make an initial advance probably into eastern Ukraine, and start a new round of diplomacy.

War is politics by other means

What does the ground being frozen have to do with whether or not Russia can invade? Too muddy? Honest question.

 

[ds3000]

Because ever since the breakup of the Soviet Union, and saw their former socialist neighbours turn westward, they worry that influence will spread to their own population. They have to frame the West/EU/NATO as an adversary, and it's a very strong one at

The yanks are goading the russkies into it.

Will the russkies rise to the bait?

My best guess is no.