Russia puts its nuclear deterrent on high alert

[Libertybear80]

Does anyone know what that actually means? Is he threatening nuclear war?

@spleencoffin are they though, or is that just Western media reporting? If you go on the Al Jazeera articles, there are hundreds of responses each time from people in Middle Eastern countries who see Putin as a great liberator, finally purging the world of the West after the atrocities they feel we've committed in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan etc... The fact that the West are being so sympathetic to Ukraine but did nor treat people from those countries in the same way is certainly not winning us support vs Putin.

Also, in the BBC article published overnight "Would Putin hit the nuclear button", they talk about the more likely scenario of him detonating a nuke in the sea between Britain and Denmark. Why there and what would be the impact of that?

I have to admit that has freaked me out a bit. I wasn’t concerned before I read that article. A nuclear bomb between Britain and Denmark would surely have an impact on us.

The BBC article was an incredibly scary read for many reasons 😫

@FatFredsFriedEgg

I don't think they'd destroy the U.K. since they own most of London, along with the Saudis.

Yes, I believe that German pilots in 1942 were given strict instructions not to bomb property owned by Germans.

Arse.

What does "Arse" mean on your comment. Russian Oligarchs literally own London. It's their playground.

Russian oligarchs do not own London! They own some expensive property - yes - of course, but they do not 'own' London.

Now it looks like there will be a crackdown on that as well.

They don’t literally own london but the most expensive hotels, residences and properties in London are Russian & Saudi owned. London is where the majority of Russian money is invested/laundered.

@HelpMeHiveMind

Also, in the BBC article published overnight "Would Putin hit the nuclear button", they talk about the more likely scenario of him detonating a nuke in the sea between Britain and Denmark. Why there and what would be the impact of that?

Shows willingness to use the weapons. Nuclear fallout still could harm much of Europe for years (immediate health risk and affect to food security)

Changes power dynamics.

Would cause panic in Western Europe. The idea would be to undermine public support for Ukraine *

But crucially doesn't have the nasty looking pictures to upset his own people.

Its a warning shot which looks strong to his own and still harms west without looking like he's a mass murderer (except of course this would obviously be the effect)

Perceptions v Reality in a media world.

*studies suggest that taking aim and fire doesn't weaken resolve in populations. It makes them more likely to resist harder and fight back when they feel under direct attack. Numerous historical examples where this has been a mistake made by governments. Idea is based largely on Japanese surrender so quickly after Hiroshima (note they didn't surrender immediately - Nagasaki happened first) and came after a long war that had preceded it, in which Japan were now isolated following German defeat. Theres been great debate about whether the US needed to drop the bomb to force Japan to surrender with the suggestion made that they were about to anyway. Instead the dropping of the bomb was based on racism and revenge against the Japanese but owed more to politics with Stalin. The Fear of the bomb is greater than damage of the bomb. The US wanted to prevent Stalin having ideas of moving further West. Same sort of principle applies here to a degree - but in reverse - but still would do physical harm to Western Europe.

I am not entirely sure where you are going with this, the UK government have already said they are investigating now and will be putting in some very tough measures, potentially seizures if money laundering can be proved. We can not have a knee jerk reaction of just randomly seizing houses and hotels from anyone with connections to Russia, we have to act, but in a measured way that is both legal and fair.

Meanwhile we are being threatened with nuclear strikes, so I am not sure the Russian housing stock in London is priority number one right now unless you are hoping to derail of course CBA?

@Keepyourheadscrewedon yes you are right they have to allow him a way out of this that will enable him to save face or he just unravels and ?.

Thank you @RedToothBrush , really appreciate your responses

He won't do anything insane. He likes his billionaire lifestyle too much.

No I am not tempting to derail the thread!! Nor am I suggesting Russian property is seized. I manage portfolios and I’m pointing out that you should not underestimate how close our country is to Russia and how reliant on Russian investment.

And what CBA? Your property value might be affected? I can't see why this is important if you are reduced to ash if Putin follows through. This thread is about nuclear war not property prices and fluctuations. Maybe you posted on the wrong thread by mistake.

@Keepyourheadscrewedon yes you are right they have to allow him a way out of this that will enable him

I agree surely this is just basics of human interactions. We need to let Putin go with some dignity intact. Why trap in him a corner...unless we want a war with Russia after all?

They have to let have a way out. A cornered animal is the most dangerous one.

The Russians do look like they will overwhelm the forces in Ukraine listening to the BBC. There is going to be a lot of widows in Ukraine 😥
How will Putin be stopped?

[quote Infinitemoon]**@Keepyourheadscrewedon yes you are right they have to allow him a way out of this that will enable him

I agree surely this is just basics of human interactions. We need to let Putin go with some dignity intact. Why trap in him a corner...unless we want a war with Russia after all?[/quote]
Such as? Partition Ukraine in half and no to EU or Nato membership, thats probably the only things that he would agree too.

and then in a couple of years time he comes back for the rest of the country.

Such as? Partition Ukraine in half and no to EU or Nato membership, thats probably the only things that he would agree too.

Yes that's a plan I would consider for now until Putin leaves office.

And what do you think the Ukrainians would feel about that?

In reality, Ukraine have been living in separation for years, the war in Eastern Ukraine alone has raged for eight years. Of course it is not ideal, and in a perfect world Ukraine would recapture their whole country and live in peace. In the real world there does seem to be major division already existing there (Or as many would say division sown by Russia)

I am not suggesting it is acceptable, only probable and better than losing millions of lives. Ukraine could continue - living in the shadow of Russia but one would hope Russia will have learnt something from this experience and won't be so quick to try it on again.

I am assuming European Ukrainians will live in the west, and Russian Ukrainians will leave in the area to the East under the control of Russia?

I am worried it is more appeasement though...

**live

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

In reality, Ukraine have been living in separation for years, the war in Eastern Ukraine alone has raged for eight years. Of course it is not ideal, and in a perfect world Ukraine would recapture their whole country and live in peace. In the real world there does seem to be major division already existing there (Or as many would say division sown by Russia)

I am not suggesting it is acceptable, only probable and better than losing millions of lives. Ukraine could continue - living in the shadow of Russia but one would hope Russia will have learnt something from this experience and won't be so quick to try it on again.

But Russia would have got what it wanted through invasion--a large chunk of Ukraine. Suppose it turned its gaze to other areas where there is/used to be a strong Russian population? And suppose China looks at Taiwan and thinks it might as well have a go?

I think giving Putin what he wants will prove to be a huge mistake, he and his successors will just be back for more, why not Finland, Moldova Latvia?

Aside Russian speaking Ukrainians do not want to live under Putin, Zelenskyy is from the SE of country isn't he?

I think giving Putin what he wants will prove to be a huge mistake, he and his successors will just be back for more, why not Finland, Moldova Latvia?

Paying the Dane-geld?