The invasion is a Week Old...Part 7

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Unbelievable. Thread 6 is almost full, to be found here : www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4495271-The-Invasion-is-ongoing-Part-6?pg=1

Still a fascinating and thoughtful set of documentation of our evolving thoughts, fears, questions, analyses and updates. And still a credit to the eyes, ears and knowledge of those on here.

Pinched from one poster on thread 6 whose name I can't recall:

Latest claims from both sides about casualties
Ukraine's army regularly puts out updates on the damage it says it's inflicting on Russian forces, which continue to press on key cities, particularly in the south.

We should stress that the BBC can't verify this information, but the latest update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces says that approximately 9,000 Russian personnel have been killed or wounded.

It also says Ukrainian forces have destroyed:

217 tanks
90 artillery systems
31 helicopters
30 planes or other aircraft
For its part, Russia yesterday for the first time gave a specific number for casualties it had suffered in Ukraine, saying 498 Russian soldiers had died and nearly 1,600 had been wounded.

It said it had killed 2,870 Ukrainian soldiers and "nationalists".

Sad stories from adult children based in Ukraine trying to prove to their Russian based parents the truth. But the parents are not believing them.

@FatFucker DH’s parents rang this morning to ask if we were OK (in London), because they’d seen a news report where the UK’s Russian ambassador was interviewed about an increase in anti-Russian sentiment here. That’s what made the Russian evening news yesterday. They rang to tell DH to perhaps not speak Russian to our kids out in public because they’d expect them to be attacked for it.

@FatFredsFriedEgg Yes. I guess either they are delivering tanks and trucks to the border for Ukrainians. Or they are concerned about Estonia's border so as part of NATO are moving in to offer a greater defence.

@Billandben444

Are unmanned aircraft easier to learn how to fly? ??

Playstation skills

I thought Putin took on a much less "mad super villian dictator" tone in his address today

@Fiefofum

I am so sick of hearing Putin’s delusional bullshit and gaslighting. I studied history and historiography, I learnt about propaganda in war etc, but to see it paraded in reality to this extreme is a whole different matter. I find it incredibly enraging!

(And yes, I know all states and politicians etc do this - including our own - but Putin’s delusions and lies are in a wholly new league imho).

It’s hard to read and disorientating

When you hear people in Ukraine speaking and see footage of bombings etc

@2March2022 I guess that is part of the propaganda telling Russians not to believe what they read on the internet or what others tell them who do not live in Russia.

[quote alltheapples]@FatFredsFriedEgg Yes. I guess either they are delivering tanks and trucks to the border for Ukrainians. Or they are concerned about Estonia's border so as part of NATO are moving in to offer a greater defence.[/quote]
Estonia's nowhere near Ukraine. It is a bit out-on-a-limb for NATO though...

@2March2022

Sad stories from adult children based in Ukraine trying to prove to their Russian based parents the truth. But the parents are not believing them.

@FatFucker DH’s parents rang this morning to ask if we were OK (in London), because they’d seen a news report where the UK’s Russian ambassador was interviewed about an increase in anti-Russian sentiment here. That’s what made the Russian evening news yesterday. They rang to tell DH to perhaps not speak Russian to our kids out in public because they’d expect them to be attacked for it.

How long @2March2022 do you think you will be able to continue having telephone calls from them. Must be so difficult for you all. :(

I am slightly more concerned by the fact nato is discussing a no fly zone today. I don't think they'll go for one but you never know.

@yoolia

I thought Putin took on a much less "mad super villian dictator" tone in his address today

I did think the same, "claiming" wanting to normalise relations with the west (while a Crazy idea right now was a different tone) we can only hope pressure from those around him is starting to take its toll.

@yoolia

I am slightly more concerned by the fact nato is discussing a no fly zone today. I don't think they'll go for one but you never know.

I thought they were specifically discussing what more help they could offer rather than discussing a no fly zone?

Apologies if already posted

For the Flightradar crew www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-60612255 inside the Nato AWACS planes

The drones are flown using tech similar to games/ Playstation etc

@FatFredsFriedEgg True. Either unconnected then, or there is intelligence of a threat to Estonia.

I thought they were specifically discussing what more help they could offer rather than discussing a no fly zone?

The media seems to be saying they are discussing a no fly zone but maybe I have misinterpreted it.

A tweet saying -

"The occupiers shut down the #Vodafone and #Kyivstar mobile networks throughout the Kherson region.

Currently only WiFi works."

@yoolia when I saw the woman (no idea who she was sorry) talking about is this morning reporters were pressing about the no fly zone- she said something like we need to discuss what more we can do

My guess for the convoy is that it reinforces the idea of NATO as a defence alliance fully prepared to defend the borders of the NATO countries. A significant (but not aggressive) sign that while NATO will not step in to defend other countries, they will help each other within the alliance. Reassurance to those within the bloc but a warning to Russia too.

How long @2March2022 do you think you will be able to continue having telephone calls from them.

I don’t know, though we avoid anything controversial with them anyway. I feel a rising tide of panic knowing that they now basically can’t leave the country (no passports, no flights available) when on the UK Russian-language groups I’m on people are going to all sorts of lengths to get their parents over, pronto.

@yoolia

I am slightly more concerned by the fact nato is discussing a no fly zone today. I don't think they'll go for one but you never know.

This worried me a bit too, although I think it was more a case of some NATO members wanting a no-fly zone instead of it instead of it being seriously considered by NATO as a whole.

www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/nato-meets-ukraine-calls-no-fly-zone-hinder-russia-2022-03-04/

Seems like a no fly zone is still not an option on the table. Lithuanias pm has also spoken out against calls saying it is irresponsible

[quote alltheapples]@FatFredsFriedEgg True. Either unconnected then, or there is intelligence of a threat to Estonia.[/quote]
There's an obvious threat to the whole of Eastern Europe isn't there? That's why we've got assets in the Baltic States to start with.

I listened to Zelenskys latest speech to his fellow citizens and god it was good. I was nearly ready to go out and fight.

@FatFredsFriedEgg yes there is a clear threat and Estonia is particularly vulnerable.

@yoolia

I thought Putin took on a much less "mad super villian dictator" tone in his address today

I know, it’s made me really uneasy. Maybe he’s getting pressure from the Chinese? He’s gone way too far with his crazy aggressiveness and threats. I have no idea but think it’s too late for him to rebuild relations with the west now.

instead of it being seriously considered by NATO as a whole.

...of course it doesn't have to be considered by NATO as a whole.

NATO members are still free to defend their own countries, and their allies' countries, without NATO agreement.