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Original poster

Are you taking any steps because of the Ukraine situation?

616 replies

DetailMouse · 25/02/2022 09:16

The situation for those in the country is heartbreaking, I've sobbed at several news stories this morning and my heart aches for a Ukrainian friend whose family is still there.

On a far more selfish, practical level have you "done" anything to protect yourself and your own situation? If nothing else I can see an impending deepening of the financial crisis. A friend has taken all her money out of the bank, for example, but it's true she's prone to a bit of drama. Gas supply worries me a lot.

Is there anything we should be doing now to help a bit if the situation is prolonged or worsens?

OP posts:
AbsentmindedWoman · 25/02/2022 22:54

in the context of the OP ie the Ukraine situation what would be the middle ground scenarios?

Power brownouts if different utility companies are targeted in cyber attacks, interrupting electronic payments.

A gradual papercut-style campaign to seed in disruption and unease is a possibility.

It's not a given that there will be one huge cyber attack (for example) knocking off the whole eastern grid of the United States.

I'm in Brooklyn and the Governor of New York is speaking about the potential of cyber attacks. Perhaps the UK is in a safer boat regarding this, I don't know.

worriedatthemoment · 25/02/2022 23:15

@Itsnotover but neither has anything to do with brexit , why mention it

gasty · 25/02/2022 23:29

Power brownouts if different utility companies are targeted in cyber attacks, interrupting electronic payments.

A gradual papercut-style campaign to seed in disruption and unease is a possibility.

But this is completely different to Natwest going down for a day.

Industry will also suffer so the likes of Tesco won't be operating as normal against that backdrop. If thousands of people are impacted by a electronic payment disruption why would people even go to work to serve or supply those who have cash? As you say the objective is disruption so that you can't go about your daily life despite having cash or bottled water because the scale is so much bigger.

I don't think anyone is saying cyber attacks are impossible just there's not much point trying to circumnavigate the impact because everything is intertwined.

gasty · 25/02/2022 23:32

Disruption leads to chaos & chaos breaks down social order.

deadlanguage · 25/02/2022 23:40

I haven’t RTFT but there won’t be runs on banks - banks have measures in place to stop that sort of thing. Certain funds were not allowing withdrawals due to Brexit for example.

womaninatightspot · 25/02/2022 23:40

I think I'll top up the oil tank and try and keep some reserves.

AbsentmindedWoman · 25/02/2022 23:43

But this is completely different to Natwest going down for a day.

I don't think it necessarily is, not at this point.

You are still thinking in terms of absolutes. All or nothing.

In the event the power is out short term, having a little cash to hand gives some options I don't otherwise have. That's simply it.

If anarchy is in full swing and currency has become utterly meaningless? Then no, all bets are off Grin

gasty · 26/02/2022 00:06

I don't think it's about absolutes & I wouldn't say my example is anything like an all scenario.

Plus you don't even need a huge impact to cause disruption & chaos, look at all these threads for example & news of panic buying.

I just don't foresee Russian cyberattacks if they do happen to be so feeble it would be a short term issue affecting a singular target. But it's good to be hopeful!

gasty · 26/02/2022 00:06

@deadlanguage yes you're right people will be blocked from trying to take all their money out.

Libraryghost · 26/02/2022 00:20

No I am doing nothing different at all. Just waiting to see how the situation unfolds, all this hysteria is helping nobody. It is poor Ukraine that has been invaded not us. Panic buying, withdrawing silly amounts of money, hoarding petrol etc etc is more likely to cause shortages and issues for us all. There was a reason why they introduced rationing during WW2 because half the country would have starved to death if they didn't because silly twats start to hoard. Spoiler alert - if a ruddy big bomb drops on you having extra toilet rolls is unlikely to help.

Natsku · 26/02/2022 13:09

In Finland people are panic buying iodine tablets! The pharmacies have run out. But now I find out that iodine tablets are something you're supposed to have at home, in your home medical kit, so I guess I should buy some but I can't because they're all gone.

Calbur · 26/02/2022 13:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MissyB1 · 26/02/2022 16:04

@Natsku

In Finland people are panic buying iodine tablets! The pharmacies have run out. But now I find out that iodine tablets are something you're supposed to have at home, in your home medical kit, so I guess I should buy some but I can't because they're all gone.
Eh? What do they envisage doing with the Iodine?
Billandben444 · 26/02/2022 16:52

@Natsku
And what do you plan to do with the iodine if you were able to panic-buy some?

gasty · 26/02/2022 16:52

Iodine is apparently pointless for the over 40s

Natsku · 26/02/2022 17:04

Its to be taken if there's radiation, to protect the thyroid gland. They say here that everyone should have some in stock but only to be taken if there's an announcement that it should be taken. I'm guessing people are stocking up because of the increased radiation from Chernobyl (the original accident spread the radiation over here, but I'm sure any stirring up of radiation now is unlikely to spread far like before) but people are being ridiculous and buying multiple packets when one pill each is all that's needed. The issue is that it needs to be taken within 3 hours of any nuclear accident or then its not effective any more.

CountryMouse22 · 26/02/2022 17:24

Filled the cars up with fuel.

And today I drew £200 cash out. Putin might take it into his head to try and hack our banks so it's just a precaution.

CountryMouse22 · 26/02/2022 17:26

@Natsku

In Finland people are panic buying iodine tablets! The pharmacies have run out. But now I find out that iodine tablets are something you're supposed to have at home, in your home medical kit, so I guess I should buy some but I can't because they're all gone.
We've got a bottle of iodine we got from the vets for the cat's facial scab! Maybe drink that with some tonic?
TheCaddieisaBaddie · 26/02/2022 17:30

Filled the car.

ExpatAl · 26/02/2022 17:30

I have donated to the Ukrainian army and given medical supplies (pharmacy was super generous) to a charity taking a delivery. And contributed towards petrol to a van driver who’s going to border to collect as many as possible. His van is loaded with stuff for them there. I’m in Europe. There will be a charity or someone doing something helpful near you. Being heart broken is of no help. Lobby your mp for fast tracking visas.

MrsCocochannel · 26/02/2022 17:32

I'm currently in Krakow with my daughter who has moved here to study abroad. There is no fear in Poland as ye, the city is full of tourists. I'm leaving her tomorrow to come back to the UK and this is just an extra worry. Today we saw 5 US helicopters fly over Krakow I believe they are here to help the refugees and it was a very surreal moment. I'm trying g not to make any rushed decisions about her stay as yet. I havent given any thought about steps to take in the Uk.

Natsku · 26/02/2022 17:32

@CountryMouse22 sounds like a really shit alternative to a gin and tonic! Maybe if I add some gin as well.

mumof2exhausted · 26/02/2022 17:34

@Sparklingbrook

Are you sure this 'friend' isn't you OP?
“Friend” is definitely the OP
ArchibaldsDaddy · 26/02/2022 17:51

I’m taking care not to over-sensationalise this (in terms of the impact to the overwhelming tourist of our daily life in the UK) and carry on in a normal way.

As an Army Officer, I have previous colleagues in the Ukraine and am in no doubt about how unequivocally abhorrent this situation is - but any shortages/indirect impact will be because of our own stupidity and not an impact on global demand.

And, if this does escalate significantly, having a few tins of food, a full tank of fuel, and £100 in your pocket isn’t really going to cut it!

Namechangeagain84 · 26/02/2022 17:58

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