The invasion has begun

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Russia has begun it's invasion of Ukraine. Who knows where this will end.

apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-moscow-kyiv-626a8c5ec22217bacb24ece60fac4fe1

Conscription/call up is a bit of a red herring for the UK the context of current events (way too late, not enough equipment etc) and if there are any thoughts of bringing it in post this conflict for a future “just in case” there would need a considerable debate beforehand as it would mean a massive upping on the defence budget.

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

Apparently putin has cancer and parkinsons.

My understanding, unless I've missed something, is that this is purely speculation based on the fact that he reportedly had a stomach operation a while back. I agree he doesn't look well, but even if he is sick I would suggest that probably makes him more dangerous, not less.

Johnson and the Tory party are up to their necks in dirty oligarch money and here we are. They have no shame or decency.

bylinetimes.com/2019/11/09/russian-influence-in-britain-what-johnson-doesnt-want-you-to-know/

No one gives a shiny shit about oligarch money vera your post is very very offensive - we care about the people losing their lives right now in Ukraine. Innocent people that have nothing to deserve this despicable action.

Apparently putin has cancer and parkinsons

Bin this in with "Hitler has one ball"

Apparently putin has cancer and parkinsons

One can only hope, and lets hope it is a quick ending for the sake of the world.

Putin/Hitler does seem to be very confused, and looks very unwell.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

No one gives a shiny shit about oligarch money vera your post is very very offensive - we care about the people losing their lives right now in Ukraine. Innocent people that have nothing to deserve this despicable action.

You should do & we are capable of caring about more than one thing at a time.

Just because you don't care about Russian corruption at the highest levels of UK Govt, doesn't mean its all ok.

I agree with @Cornettoninja. Putin does because he can. He has the resources, has priced in sanctions, knows China is looking at Taiwan. He's not threatened by money or by the Russian people suffering. He's not threatened by NATO because he believes it doesn't have an appetite for conflict (neither do I to be honest).

He might frame it righting historical wrongs - uniting that which was separated etc - but that is to provide a story to stand behind.

Personally I think he'll shatter Ukraine whilst we watch and then he (or his successor) will continue to chip away at the Balkan countries.

Keep - oligarchs money is very important. You can deny it all you like but if Russian money can buy political influence in the UK (and potentially stymie our reactions to Russian aggression) it is all of business.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

No one gives a shiny shit about oligarch money vera your post is very very offensive - we care about the people losing their lives right now in Ukraine. Innocent people that have nothing to deserve this despicable action.

How is it offensive? It’s part of understanding why the innocent people that we care about are in this situation.

There will be no conscription come what may and any talk like that is barking and anyway, modern armies and warfare don't need huge swathes of personnel. Putin will probably do a shock and awe hit and run and then apart from his annexed new 'republics' leave it at that. China will hoover up any natural resources he needs a market for and the west will seem to be all bluff and bluster but no real action. Or at least that's my best hope. They are much darker roads that I don't want to imagine at the moment but can't help fearing.

@myrtleWilson

Taiwan defence ministry reporting that 9 Chinese Air Force planes entered its airspace today....

Here we fuckin go

I am feeling fairly confident. Russia Vs Nato is a non brainer.
This could be stamp out pretty quickly if that decision is taken.

Not on the same worry level s WW3 but here goes, my dc is in year 8 and has lots of friends from Eastern Europe and also Russia. I worry for these children and the potential for falling out and bullying when they have all been lovely friends. How can Ds be supportive of his friends (what to say / what not to say to them)? Anything wise thoughts?

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

I am feeling fairly confident. Russia Vs Nato is a non brainer. This could be stamp out pretty quickly if that decision is taken.

Using what?

Ie what level of weaponry

*aaarg Any wise thoughts?

I wonder how 'bad boy of Brexit' Arron Banks is feeling now about his ongoing defamation case against Guardian & Observer journalist Carole Cadwalladr, re her allegations about his Russian connections.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/17/arron-banks-used-and-exploited-by-russia-court-hears

Trouble is for cocky old Arron, when you sue a journalist, you wash your dirty laundry in public.

Putin has been enabled and supported by huge tranches of the west that have emboldened him into this action and sadly our ruling party and other disruptive elements have their dirty fingers on the trigger. Well said @Cocomarine.This is Tucker Carlson a man who would be President and Putin enabler so deep in his posts and videos have been translated into Russian and posted by them. We can't personally stop Putin on his murderous intent but we can apply pressure at home at some of the traitors in our midst.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

No one gives a shiny shit about oligarch money vera your post is very very offensive - we care about the people losing their lives right now in Ukraine. Innocent people that have nothing to deserve this despicable action.

I care about oligarch money influencing Brexit and UK politicians. I care a lot about that, actually. I can also see that this negatively influences our ability to assist and support the Ukrainian people in a meaningful way.

I feel utterly despairing and overwhelmed by fear for my children should this escalate. God knows how it must feel to those in Ukraine

Spot on Fort

@PeterPanda

Not on the same worry level s WW3 but here goes, my dc is in year 8 and has lots of friends from Eastern Europe and also Russia. I worry for these children and the potential for falling out and bullying when they have all been lovely friends. How can Ds be supportive of his friends (what to say / what not to say to them)? Anything wise thoughts?

What do you mean by “supportive” of his friends? Are you assuming his Russian friends are going to start stealing his “Eastern European” friends’ pencil cases?

He should listen, and not speak of that which he doesn’t understand. Tell him to be aware of his friends’ nationalities (politically right now, Polish vs Latvia vs Moldovan is very different) and not make assumptions about anyone. And to come to you rather than react to anything.

@PeterPanda

Not on the same worry level s WW3 but here goes, my dc is in year 8 and has lots of friends from Eastern Europe and also Russia. I worry for these children and the potential for falling out and bullying when they have all been lovely friends. How can Ds be supportive of his friends (what to say / what not to say to them)? Anything wise thoughts?

I mean, surely just tell him not to be a dick? Carry on as normal. This feels like not a problem.

My dc also go to school with dc from both Ukraine and Russia, I have advised them to not speak about it, but it appears their SM feeds are filling up with support for Ukraine from what I can see. Inc from Russian dc in some instances.
I think it makes the lives of Russians here fairly difficult peter It is not their fault, and has nothing to do with them. One of dd's closest friends is Russian, and she will be mortified by this action and they are all Y13/14 so very in touch with the news and the full impact of war.

Do the same thing you normally do advise kindness, remind dc that they are the future, one day things will be better than they are today. The generation of teens and older children in all parts of the world have been through so much with covid, now they have to contend with war as well

No one gives a shiny shit about oligarch money vera your post is very very offensive -

Err this is why we are somewhat paralysed. the powers that be very much care about the ££££

Are you assuming his Russian friends are going to start stealing his “Eastern European” friends’ pencil cases? I'd rather worry that Russian dc will be bullied or find it very difficult that their country is at war with their friends country.

Good shout @Keepyourheadscrewedon