The Invasion Has Stalled

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So here we go. Four days in and the third consecutive thread on the conflict in Ukraine. The last two threads are a credit to the members of mumsnet. Who knows where thread four may find our world?

Thank you all.

Thread two : www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4491025-The-Invasion-Continues

Just seen Ukraine is still holding their own, I so hope that continues.

Belarus's involvement is worrying although not surprising, I saw their president being interviewed a month or so ago, he's of the same ilk as Putin. Clearly not of sane mind, who would back Putin now, the sanctions and world outcry is getting greater.

Putin stamping his feet that if the doesn't get his own way, he'll press the big red button. Scary times.

@fallfallfall

is lyse doucet on instagram? if so can someone link please.

It's @lysedoucet but she puts more on Twitter.

Belarus is entirely run by Russia, and has been for a long time.

Thank you everyone for this informative thread. My heart goes out to the Ukrainian people being attacked and in their homes and communities, forced into unsafe flight and defensive armed conflict on their own soil in this nightmare.

I’m heartened by the solidarity of support shown by countries in the EU so far and hope they can maintain this for the long haul if needed. And that the UK will do our part.

Guardian article on Zelenskiy's lobbying of Europe.

Thanks for update Keep

Relieved to read that

Does anyone know what is going on in terms of schools and education in Ukraine? Particularly in Kyiv?
Are schools able to open at all - even on a small scale and/or are they using remote learning?
Have 'informal' schools been set up?
I do understand it might not seem a priority but we know some routines and structures can help in times of crisis.

Thank you, MN. I'm just going to bed after another anxious and sad day, trying not to "doomscroll" but unable to stop completely. The worldwide solidarity for Ukraine and its people gives me hope, as does this thread.

Lines are getting drawn in the sand. Japan considering arming up should china get ideas concerning tawain.

ginger No one is thinking about schools right now, and I very much doubt they care about routines as the explosions were all over the capital in the last few hours. They will be trying to ensure they have enough food and supplies I imagine, as they are currently surrounded by Russian troops on all sides.
Their lives have been devastated and upended. My dh was saying about the mortgages, bills, even the every day things like vital medication etc. What happens? No one knows. All Ukrainians care about for now is having a Ukraine to return to- they are in full crisis mode.

marsha I thought it might be helpful for a quick snapshot, as it wasn't easy to find when I woke up at the most ungodly hour.

Article from the Times, explaining Putin ordered mercenaries weeks ago to take out govt. They were told to 'make them think we'll negotiate', when in reality they have no intention of doing so.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/volodymyr-zelensky-russian-mercenaries-ordered-to-kill-ukraine-president-cvcksh79d

@PermanentTemporary

Guardian article on Zelenskiy's lobbying of Europe.

Brilliant article and reaffirms Zelenskiy ad an amazing individual. He is winning a war on morality abd people around the world are forcing their governments to back him.

[quote OnlyOpenMouthToChangeFeet]Article from the Times, explaining Putin ordered mercenaries weeks ago to take out govt. They were told to 'make them think we'll negotiate', when in reality they have no intention of doing so.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/volodymyr-zelensky-russian-mercenaries-ordered-to-kill-ukraine-president-cvcksh79d[/quote]
mobile.twitter.com/bbclysedoucet/status/1498181310694793219

Lyse Doucet has tweeted a.little while ago that talks are due to take place later today

@Keepyourheadscrewedon

ginger No one is thinking about schools right now, and I very much doubt they care about routines as the explosions were all over the capital in the last few hours. They will be trying to ensure they have enough food and supplies I imagine, as they are currently surrounded by Russian troops on all sides. Their lives have been devastated and upended. My dh was saying about the mortgages, bills, even the every day things like vital medication etc. What happens? No one knows. All Ukrainians care about for now is having a Ukraine to return to- they are in full crisis mode.

It was a genuine question Keep. What I am getting at - I think - is how you keep your kids (of all ages) going in such circumstances and what people are putting in place to support each other and their children (perhaps informally?) We saw the women out making Molotov cocktails on BBC News in Eastern Ukraine as a way of having something to do (and having something to focus on/ keep sane). How do you keep young teens going in the same way? I do understand that this is a war zone of course and all normal life has been suspended.

Surely it can't be a trap????

Not surprised about the mercenaries. They will be difficult to flush out.

Leaving a few banks operating in SWIFT lessens the impact doesn’t it - as they can switch I assumed

The impact is still large I know

@keepyourheadscrewedon - thank you for that very helpful summary to wake up to and Thank You to all posters with such informative posts & links. During 'big news' now its always MN I come to for information, links (& a little 'opinion' too). Wishing courage & success to Ukraine today & in all the days to come.

@LunaTheCat absolutely. Russia wanted a weaker EU and Brexit was a significant win for him. Look at what his Brexit stooges have been posting about the recent war.

ginger I guess with singing, story telling, toys and try to make what they are going through as painless as possible. With young children it is easier - sleeping underground could be made to be an adventure, and lots of affection. The parents must be bone tired by now so it must be very hard indeed.
With older children it will be harder as their understanding will be far better - perhaps keeping them busy with responsibilities and crafting and helping the war effort with making food etc. Lots of use of ipads and phones I imagine for teens, asking them to record a diary of their lives etc. Many of the older teen boys will be fighting sadly.

I am sure at some point we will know their experiences and they will tell us their stories. I was hoping last night that lockdown will have helped in some small way, I was imagining how I would manage my own children in a similar position, and switching back into lockdown mode is easier now we have had some experience, but it does rather make covid look like a walk in the park.
I know what you mean ginger thinking about the actual reality for the families - it was poor lady giving birth in a bunker that really got to me, the photo of the newborn with its tiny hand wrapped around its mother's finger, it was utterly heartbreaking and I so hope they are both okay.

@ChimChimeny it's Putin, so who knows? If these negotiations are genuine, why insist on having them in Belarus?

Good morning,

Trying to find numbers of UN and NATO forces stationed in Poland and Lithuania. Some Polish media report that there are now 10k US soldiers and hundreds of RAF soldiers stationed close to the Polish-Ukranian border.

The US confirmed on Friday that they were sending more troops (they already had 5k stationed in Poland prior to Friday) and that these would include land, sea and air forces, but did not give concrete numbers.

www.fox32chicago.com/news/nato-to-send-troops-to-defend-allies-after-russia-invades-ukraine

Seems Georgia upset too. One of there refuelling ships refusing to serve Russians.

twitter.com/i/status/1498061697923305478

I think the phrase 'the morning will come' will stay with me for a long time. I'm so unbelievably proud of the Ukrainians, they are doing so incredibly well. I'm also proud of how for the most part everybody else is pulling together in support.

I feel more optimistic this morning that Putin and his ludicrous war can be overcome. But I'm also very fearful of a rat in a corner with nothing to lose.

This thread is MN at its best, as it has been at other times of crisis. Let's hope there's a resolution soon 🇺🇦