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

@Tanith

I thought Chernobyl was still unsafe?

www.chernobyl-international.com

It looks like it Chernobyl is stable and not too much of a concern in terms of nuclear material www.newscientist.com/article/2309599-risk-of-nuclear-disaster-is-minimal-as-russian-forces-reach-chernobyl/

Some of the info on that website is out of date. There was a documentary a couple of years ago called “inside Chernobyl’s megatomb” which explained what has been done to deal with the reactor. It is worth watching - especially if you are an engineering geek!

CovidCorvid - in short it comes down to concerns about state sponsored cyber terrorism. Just look at the damage some hackers etc did to the schools, health care system etc. recently. There are a lot of books and films that cover potential situations with this. Basically it makes a country that relies on technology for everything very valunerable to nations who may not have the best interest of the country as their motivator

Thank you - sounds like I'm out of date, then!
I know one of my colleagues used to take children from the area as a holiday each year, but I'm not sure if she still does it.

@CovidCorvid

Is Poland opening the borders for refugees?

Reception centres are open.

They are CovidCorvid as are Romania..

What are the UN doing? Ive seen a few speeches in the news, but nothing re. actions.

Thank God we have Biden in the Whitehouse !

Full commitment to NATO, far more troops to eastern NATO members, ships, planes and a promise to Putin that every inch of NATO territory will be defended.

@Jellykat

They are CovidCorvid as are Romania..

What are the UN doing? Ive seen a few speeches in the news, but nothing re. actions.

Russia is on the security council, they are toothless.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

not I am comfortable with our capabilities of modern warfare. It is no longer about the number of boots on the ground, things have moved on. It is the reason we are able to reduce the numbers as we have. Defence has always been a major priority for the UK, US, France and others.

We will have to disagree I’m afraid.

I’ve heard all the rhetoric about modern capabilities but there is a limit to what you can do with a reduced number of assets, whether they are boots, aircraft or ships.

I’d still tend to agree with Stalin’s POV that” quantity has a quality of it’s own”

What are the UN doing?

Russia has a veto on UN resolutions. The UN cannot act against Russia.

not You would find it reassuring to read up about modern capabilities.

@Alexandra2001

Thank God we have Biden in the Whitehouse !

Full commitment to NATO, far more troops to eastern NATO members, ships, planes and a promise to Putin that every inch of NATO territory will be defended.

It’s pretty much the US who have the capabilities

Luckily we can rely on them too

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

not You would find it reassuring to read up about modern capabilities.

Errr…OK..sadly I lost access to anything classified quite a few years ago but I promise to try to do my best….

Thank God we have Biden in the Whitehouse! Full commitment to NATO, far more troops to eastern NATO members, ships, planes and a promise to Putin that every inch of NATO territory will be defended

I thought you might say that Alex. Biden's response is extremely weak.

I am comfortable with our capabilities of modern warfare. It is no longer about the number of boots on the ground, things have moved on. It is the reason we are able to reduce the numbers as we have. Defence has always been a major priority for the UK, US, France and others

You need to open you eyes.
We have (relatively) few tanks, artillery, ships, planes... and the numbers we can actually use at anyone time is approx one 1/3rd of whats available...
This invasion is a very traditional war and should he attack a nato member, we will need a very traditional war response.

Our GDP defence spending promise can only be met because we have included other types of spending in it, such as pensions and foreign aid.

I’ve never been a fan of Biden however he’s much more composed and informative than bumbling BJ

I find it hard to stick with Biden when he’s talking

It’s so autocue driven

Thank God we have Biden

Are you being sarcastic.

I am VERY comfortable with our capabilities alex and not everything is available and known to the public. It is classified for good reason.
I am comfortable full stop. You don't have to be, but then why would you care given where you are based?!

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend

I’ve never been a fan of Biden however he’s much more composed and informative than bumbling BJ

Are you joking? The man is barely awake!

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

Thank God we have Biden in the Whitehouse! Full commitment to NATO, far more troops to eastern NATO members, ships, planes and a promise to Putin that every inch of NATO territory will be defended

I thought you might say that Alex. Biden's response is extremely weak.

Nope, pouring US troops into eastern europe etc is exactly whats needed. Have you actually listened to JB's speech?

You might want NATO to re take Ukraine but no one else wants WW3 and nuclear destruction.

Biden hasn't even cut Putin off from the Swift banking system, I hope that will change in a few days.

Boots on the ground are NOT irrelevant. As the US found when they did not have enough troops to effectively occupy Afghanistan or Iraq, and as the Russians may yet find out in Ukraine.

If Russia were to invade a NATO member state which I don't think will happen, but let's say it did then it will certainly make a difference how many ground forces are in theatre.

It's true that European states no longer need million-man armies as in earlier wars, and obviously airpower, cyber power etc play an enormous role in modern warfare. But to say that the number of ground forces is mostly irrelevant is taking it too far.

Yup just heard the whole speech, extremely underwhelming as per usual.

I'm terrified we are heading for WW3 and a nuclear invasion