Russia has invaded Ukraine

[ohmymimi]

Not a shot fired. Putin outwits the West and who/what will stop him getting his way?

[Oblomov]

blimey

[Cocolepew]

Really? Oh dear.

[Indith]

where is that published? Or is BBC website just behind?

[MrsBucketxx]

They are in crimea which wants to be Russian anyway. It's not been confirmed either.

Crimea was gifted to the Ukraine in early 20th century its never been truly integrated. Not news if you know your history.

[ohmymimi]

All over the news, all channels.

[ohmymimi]

That's me told then, Mrs. Superior, patronizing and arrogant in one post. Score.

[Lottiedoubtie]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26379722

[Indith]

Not got TV on. All I have online is crimea, Ukraine accusing invasion and Russia denying. A whole load of mistrust.

Not that Ukraine is wrong to mistrust Russia. Not wrong at all.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Spot on Mrs. The hysterical OP and title was a tad OTT b

[claig]

Blimey

[ohmymimi]

Right on claig - unless you are expressing surprise at my sudden bout of hysteria?

[claig]

Don't panic. There is no invasion. Some troops have taken over airport etc, but they are not officially supposed to be Russian troops.

[SantanaLopez]

WTF?

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

That popped up on my bbc newsflash on my ipad this morning, then I didn't see anymore about it.

[RhondaJean]

Russia were saying it's not their troops. That was on tea time radio news.

[claig]

Some soldiers have taken control of airport and have set up roadblocks in Crimea, and just now Sky said that airspace over Crimea has been closed.

But hostilities have not started yet.

[ohmymimi]

That's alright, then, if they are unofficial Russian troops we can all relax. Are the they unofficial transport 'planes, troop carriers and 'copters as well? Vlad's a fast mover, isn't he?

[claig]

'Russia were saying it's not their troops.'

Officially it is not their troops, but some analysts think it is Russian troops but without insignia or something. Analyst said that the troops have removed cartridges fromtheir guns, which shows that they are professionals, because ordinary militia and people would not remove cartridges.

[claig]

I don't thik we can relax.
Heard Paddy Ashdown on Radio 4 news at lunchtime and he didn't spell it out, but my impression from reading between the lines is that some sort of conflict is not unlikely.

[claig]

The frightening thing is that I think that the whole revolution was planned and therefore the planners had made plans for what comes next, which means that they are probably prepared to have a clash.

It now all depends on what Putin does.

[meditrina]

The extent of Russian actions in Crimea isn't terribly clear. Yes, there are events which suggest there is a more widespread presence than allowed for by the standing naval agreement. But how large and what types isn't clear, let alone under what tasks are envisaged or under what circumstances force might be used.

I hope it's sabre-rattling, with aim of ensuring that the voice of ethnic Russian population in Ukraine is not lost following the ousting.

[claig]

John McCain, who is usually a bellicose guy, said on Channel 4 News that he thinks Putin will try to take steps to ensure that Crimea and possibly some of East Ukraine will remain part of Russia.

He didn't believe the US would intervene militarily, as far as I understood him, but they would use sanctions if necessary.

So that does not sound like war. McCain said that militarily, Putin can be assured that the US woud not use force.

[claig]

McCain says by no means is it a return to the Cold War.

[PetiteRaleuse]

I don't see how this can end well. At least not any time soon. It is pretty worrying.

[PetiteRaleuse]

Why would the US use force? There's nothing in it for them. They will let Russia and the EU deal with it I think. I don't think there will be war as such but things are going to be strained at best and very unsettled in the area at worst for a long time.