The Invasion Continues...

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Thread two as thread one is complete...

@Kassle

Twitter certainly seems to think Ukraine is the winning side but twitter also thought Labour would win the 2019 election in a landslide so...

It is fact that the Ukrainians are putting up a much bigger and better defence than anyone, including the Russians, expected. That's not just twitter.

I didn't say they weren't. I just don't know if it will be enough in the end without other countries putting boots on the ground which NATO won't do.

@kassle you are not wrong. They are definitely putting up much more of a resistance and fight than was ever expected by the russians..I just hope they can keep it up. My SILs husband is out in Kyiv with other locals and they are doing everything they can to put a blockade around the area to stop tanks and convoys getting through. I saw a video this morning of a big group of ukrainian civilians walking silently, with no weapons in their hands, towards russian tanks, until the tanks actually gave up and retreated.

Russia thought they would win in Afghanistan.

We know how that turned out for them.

[quote DuncinToffee]A twitter thread on how Poland is helping Ukranian refugees, it's heartwarming and devastating at the same time.

twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1497875566460121091?s=21[/quote]
Thanks for this link.
The pictures are, as you say, devastating and heart warming. Even the Scouts ( the one in the photo looks about 15) are out helping with lost kids.

[quote Gotmyprincecharming]@kassle you are not wrong. They are definitely putting up much more of a resistance and fight than was ever expected by the russians..I just hope they can keep it up. My SILs husband is out in Kyiv with other locals and they are doing everything they can to put a blockade around the area to stop tanks and convoys getting through. I saw a video this morning of a big group of ukrainian civilians walking silently, with no weapons in their hands, towards russian tanks, until the tanks actually gave up and retreated.[/quote]
I read your post up thread. How is your husband doing? Seems like he's at least getting family news.

Former Ukrainian defence minister says Belarus is about to join the Russian invasion (Guardian online).

@Gingerwarthog I was just about to post that

[quote uptonogoode]@Gingerwarthog I was just about to post that [/quote]
He goes on to say it was a 'personal demand' from Putin that they do so.

@Gingerwarthog

Former Ukrainian defence minister says Belarus is about to join the Russian invasion (Guardian online).

I wonder how BeloRussian soldiers feel about that on the ground?

Those who actually have to do the fighting?

I’m really saddened to hear that re Belarus

@Gingerwarthog

Former Ukrainian defence minister says Belarus is about to join the Russian invasion (Guardian online).

Blimey, really? That's a bit of an escalation even if Belarus is a puppet state of Russia. It's one thing allowing your territory to be used, quite another putting your troops into the firing line.

Makes me also wonder if Putin will call in favours from Kazakhstan.

If it’s true I doubt they’re being given much of a choice here.

@Gingerwarthog

Former Ukrainian defence minister says Belarus is about to join the Russian invasion (Guardian online).

And they wanted to hold 'peace talks' in the Belarus Capital, the plot has been well and truly lost by Putin and his craven cohort and supporters.

Belarus, join the ranks of cowardice.

Will sanctions now be applied to Belarus then too ? I hope so.

Interesting that they have to get involved given Russia’s alleged strength.

It was already of unfair and unequal war and now two countries have joined Russia to fight just Ukraine. When I think of those brave souls fighting just for the right to exist, and now they have both Belarus and Chechnya to deal with as well. When will someone, anyone, come to the aid of Ukraine???

I have spent a lot of time looking at the Russian angle, regime change is their destination, but they were saying that they won't even be called Ukraine anymore, it is will be known as Russian territory under full Russian control. They spewed out a bullshit reason that the reason for all of this is the 'risk' that some despot leader would happen in America sooner or later and they 'might' move nuclear arms to Ukraine. Hence the reason they bang on and on about security! On and on about proximity. They are deeply paranoid that Ukraine would agree to have nuclear warheads inches from Russian soil. It is utter madness. No one in their right mind would do that for very obvious reasons, but nonetheless Putin has convinced himself that this is what will happen if he does not 'deal' with Ukraine.

Just for the record Belarus have had serious uprisings themselves trying to rid themselves of their own dictator (that Russia sorted out) I wonder how many in reality will come and kill the children of Ukraine.

*An

So depressing 😞

@Gingerwarthog he's finding it very hard to be watching from afar, feeling helpless. He would only love to get on a plane now and go fight for the country. He's had hardly any sleep and no appetite since it started. Daily communication with his family still, hopefully they're in a safe place and won't come to any harm.

I am also reading that Russia's now very delayed advancement is because they lost out on the 'surprise' factor. The Russians were counting on a lightening attack - their plans are now in tatters, the supply chains are failing in some areas, such as running of fuel, etc. Not only were they expecting an easy run, they are apparently not all ready for war as some were involved in exercises only and assumed this was the same until the last minute. This would be the reason why Russia have asked for help from the other countries. They are not winning - and we will soon be going into day five of a war that Russia thought would be over by now. Perhaps they didn't get the memo that Ukraine will never give up.

The western alliances had been preparing Ukraine, certainly the UK have been there for months and months - it seems the 'surprise' invasion was leaked, taking away some of the advantage that Russia had initially. Although Ukraine appeared to be very relaxed before the invasion, they were in fact preparing for war.

If the west can get more equipment, heavy duty particularly they still stand a chance even with the added problems, because they are after all the second biggest country in Europe - and you can't take on 44 million people and expect to win.

[quote Gotmyprincecharming]@Gingerwarthog he's finding it very hard to be watching from afar, feeling helpless. He would only love to get on a plane now and go fight for the country. He's had hardly any sleep and no appetite since it started. Daily communication with his family still, hopefully they're in a safe place and won't come to any harm.[/quote]
Thank you for sharing. Thought and prayers to your husband, his family and the Ukrainian people.

Ukraine have repelled the Russian attack on the city of Kharkiv (Guardian online).

Wow that is great news!!

I want to believe NATO special forces are already in the country. I want to believe that the cry for feet on the ground will be answered. I want to believe this offensive by Russia will be beaten back.

Putin has ordered military command to put nuclear deterrence forces on high alert Reuters have reported (Guardian online have quoted this).