What's this talk about the Russians and the possibility of war breaking out.

[Justdowhatyouweretold]

I've read a few rumblings about the Russians and the about how war could break out in a matter of weeks.

I need some mumsnetters who are much more clever than me to explain it, and tell me that's it's all nonsense!! Please?

There's various news items coming out from media in that area.

The same ones came out in December too.

Russia have deployed troops to the border with Ukraine.

Russia are saying it doesn't impose on their boarder but military analysts have suggested war could break out in weeks if it isn't resolved.

Personally I think this is an ongoing narrative we've had for years and Russia like to do things to remind people they're a threat but have no intention of actually starting a war.

Let's hope I'm right!

war with whom?

Ffs, I've just started to chill my anxiety around covid out and now I've got this

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/05/eu-sounds-alarm-at-russian-troops-ukraine-border-moves

Hopefully this link will help.
Russia has a long history of conflict with Ukraine (most recent was Russian military intervention and annexation of Crimea in 2014).
Now,there is heavy presence of Russian military on the east and north Ukrainian borders and most are probably a bit worried that Putin is flexing his muscles a bit too much.

@Bluebird2021

war with whom?

It's been predicted Pan European or even world war.

But I'm sure we have this at least 3 times a year.

Apologies for my OP. The mixture of predictive text and not proof reading!!

*Possibility of war.

I am not an expert but I think it is about Ukraine's claim to their own governance / sovereignty - Very sad for the 19 soldiers who have died - . I think it is a show of strength prior to Russian elections. But but but I do not know .

I think @itsgettingwierd talks sense ( But I am not a military expert )

I am one who lived through the cold war and having things on the tv about how London could be the victim of nuclear weapons. Never happened - I would not worry if I were you .

This has been going on for years and years. Things must have escalated again.

There are lots of Russians and pro-russian Ukrainians living in the Crimea, which has only been Ukrainian since the 50s. Years ago the EU were accused of installing the Ukraine government they wanted, with talk of Ukraine joining the EU with its new shiny EU-approved government being a big factor.

Russians in Crimea were allegedly also being discriminated against and treated badly so Russia annexed the Crimea and have kept it under occupation ever since, claiming that as the majority of Crimeans are actually Russian and supported them then it was okay.

Crimea is likely to want independence from Ukraine, or to join Russia.

It is obviously very very complex but that's the simplified background and will be behind the current news that Russia are bringing troops to the border.

@perfectpizza Honestly I would not worry - I am not

@Bluebird2021

war with whom?

Not us. We couldn't defend the channel islands with the military cutbacks going through. Our military is being reduced to an extra resource when civil services can't manage rather than a defensive force for us. Boris would have to roll over for his master Putin if Russia had serious warlike intentions.

I get in such a panic about all this sort of stuff, even though the sensible part of me knows it happens all the time and is largely sabre rattling.

Honestly if this is just scaremongering, I wish people wouldn’t. My brother is in one of the bordering countries in the Army right now. He hasn’t said anything is imminent but it’s worrying enough having family in the military without speculation.

@RunHobbitRun Boris hates Russia/Putin. Always has.

As to who the war would be with - well if Russia attacks Ukraine then British troops are likely to be involved, yes. There are already British soldiers in Ukraine.

There's also issues that Russia have openly been using Red Cross vehicles in military special forces ambush practices.

This is against the Geneva convention.

Totally agree this is muscle flexion. They do it frequently.

They often fly jets along air space borders too and occasionally encroach airspace enough to make a threat or raise concern.

Europe won't be wanting to get into war so will turn a blind eye where they safely can and so Russia will feel they've achieved their goal of flexing muscles and reminding people challenging them would be dangerous.

@LadyCatStark

Honestly if this is just scaremongering, I wish people wouldn’t. My brother is in one of the bordering countries in the Army right now. He hasn’t said anything is imminent but it’s worrying enough having family in the military without speculation.

This is geopolitics, not mumsnetters scaremongering.

@itsgettingwierd yes agree. They always try to keep the west on their toes.

Christ covid war Brexit

I'm going to pour a drink

@dividedwefall cheers that’s made me feel loads better.

My brother is ex forces. He was once out on the Baltic Sea on assignment.

He took a selfie of him on the ship waving at the Russian planes flying along the edge of the air space border!

Probability not the best idea but he said they do it often. They like to make their presence felt and in fact the military would more likely worry if they went off radar for a bit!

I agree with PP that this is Russia flexing its muscles for a home audience.

The last thing the EU want with COVID in a third wave is for things to kick off with Russia.

A war with Russia would be the absolute last thing anyone would want at any time to be honest as it would be so horrifically destabilising for all involved, not to mention horrendously expensive so Russia would have to do something pretty full on to get a reaction from the EU or NATO that resulted in war.

Russia know, of course, that COVID has weakened EU states and the UK in terms of money and so may take the chance to be CF's and push the boundaries a bit.

Storm in a teacup.

sorry @LadyCatStark I just meant that something is happening in the background regardless of whether it is discussed here or not. It didn't come out well. This has been going on for years, neither side want a full on war so I'm sure it will be fine.

@perfectpizza

Ffs, I've just started to chill my anxiety around covid out and now I've got this

Same here, I don't need this :(

Russia are basically that tosser that lives on your cul-de-sac that everyone wishes would fuck off and move because otherwise it's pretty peaceful.

Every so often they pull a dick move like have a party during lockdown and everyone gets stirred up, throws them dirty looks and no-one invites them to the Christmas drinks party but equally they quiet down for a bit after because they don't want the aggro of everyone on their back and no-one does more than passive aggressive tuts in their direction because they're quite a big guy and no-one wants to get into a bigger fight.

I wasn't trying to scaremonger. I had seen it in the press. I often find solice from other more level headed mumsnetters.

I hope others will too.