Ukraine Invasion: Part 22

[MagicFox]

Here we are again

I suspect that Germany just wants this war to be over, more than it wants Ukraine to win. It banked on Russia winning quickly, and now that's not happening it can't afford for Ukraine to win slowly. I'm not saying that Boris and co. will be infallible on Ukraine but at least they will have to own their decisions and not claim their hands were tied by EU strategy.

Thanks @Ijsbear for this reminder. Just to say, I really appreciate your posts. For some reason, they seem to calm me down quite a fair bit.

Probably totally unfounded but I’m a little unnerved by Zelensky’s assertion that Russia won’t use nuclear weapons. Hopefully Putin doesn’t see it as a challenge.

Please can someone explain the implications of the SAS investigation? I thought this would basically be us being party to the war?

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4536302-struggling-with-ukrainian-guest

Not a post about a thread but just saw this. It’s exactly what we were talking about on this thread a couple of weeks ago.

Lg Putin will do whatever he deems fit, no matter what anyone says. He's been planning this for years, even decades. Long term strategy where Germany, in fact, most of us have fallen for it.

I'm finding the gradual escalation our side is what he's also planned, hence why it has no effect, so far.

@Igotjelly thats not what he said though. He said that he would only use nukes “if he loses touch with common sense”. I thought it was quite well worded.

Sitting watching the boxing and Vladimir Klitschko has just been on. What an inspiration.

Appreciate that insight @GetYourEightYearOldOutOfATree

Thanks @GetYourEightYearOldOutOfATree , it's good to have your perspective and heartening that Scholz's position is being criticised in Germany.

New York Times article about Gerhard Schroder:
The Former Chancellor Who Became Putin’s Man in Germany
www.nytimes.com/2022/04/23/world/europe/schroder-germany-russia-gas-ukraine-war-energy.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes

The Ukrainian president’s economic adviser, Oleg Ustenko
www.theguardian.com/business/2022/apr/23/zelenskiys-economic-guru-germany-can-survive-without-russian-oil

@Ijsbear I agree with what you're saying, I just feel that this has been a turning point.
We absolutely must stand up for those in danger. At first, I felt scared that we would do that. Now I feel atrongly that we should.

Agreed @TiddyTidTwo and I know you've been saying this all along.
I often wonder wtf Europe are doing and get frustrated.

A bit more on the Russian book censorship

Kevin Rothrock
The publisher that supplies most of Russia’s classroom textbooks is purging the next editions of its history & lit textbooks of virtually all mentions of Ukraine and Kyiv. This is the same publisher now supplying books to schools in occupied territories.
They even removed the author's name from the cover of one textbook because it's clearly a Ukrainian surname. The goal appears to be the erasure of Ukrainian identity from the consciousness of Russia's youth (and the youths of conquered lands).
zona.media/translate/2022/04/23/kyiv_erased

twitter.com/trelarat/status/1517942614678458371?s=21&t=cgdOwUu7SqVOerU8Dda21w

Well Putin can't possibly admit that it's actually just the Ukranian armed forces he's losing to!

British troops (along with other NATO countries) have been training Ukranian armed forces for years, this isn't a secret and it isn't anything new.

This IMHO is just more kremlin bullshittery.

Does anyone know which weapons France have sold to Russia, like Germany apparently have ? Or are we talking about private companies ? So like UK arms suppliers, I imagine they sell to whoever can come up with the money and sanctions just make the transaction a bit more complicated ?

Did anyone see the complaint on BBC Newswatch this morning about Marine Le Pen being called far right ?

I have video. Maybe it's because of my dad and grandad and their experiences. My dad brought me up with truth. For example, I was 10 years old when the Belgrano was sunk and my dad picked me up from ballet class and explained to me what happened. I've never been hidden from the reality of war. Even back then people were criticising Thatcher but she was right. I see it again now, far too many who are not suffering (yet) are more concerned about short term comfort for themselves than thinking about the long term effect and what their children and grandchildren will have to contend with instead.

@TiddyTidTwo I also read your post on a much earlier thread about your grandad and could see how frustrated you felt.
At the beginning of the war, I was terrified of nuclear war but now feel that if they can deny bombing civilians and outright lying, why can't we play the same 'game'. We are leaving this all for generations to come. Those poor people will never be able to go home and live in peace. That's where my anger lies today.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. There has been talk for a while that Russia will try and attack civilians who may try and gather.

Earlier today a curfew was put in for tonight, because there was intelligence of 'something' in Lviv.

The story about the SAS was that Russia was investigating claims that the SAS were in Lviv and/or were actively fighting to sabotage.

We know that the SAS IS doing some training. Not in Lviv, but in Kyiv. Its been in the newspapers - so no shock story here. Its not a secret.

So the thing thats jumping out about me is the report of an issue in Lviv that requires a curfew following intelligence and Putin singling out Lviv as the place the SAS are (despite the admission that they are in the Kyiv area).

It might be putting two and two and coming up with 8, but I would suggest that Lviv might a place to get your head down in a shelter tonight.

Agree Red. They are definitely there imo. Been there all along and elsewhere. Kyiv for example.

I don't think Putins antiquated army will do well. Strategy and tactical aren't there strong points.

SAS are one of, if not the best in the world.

Putin should be thankful the Ghurkas aren't there yet.

Or are they....😬

@RedToothBrush thank you - that makes sense to me. I have such a lack of understanding of how they determine what is a red line or not. In my head I think I thought any of our troops on the ground in any capacity was a no no. Isn’t it risky from a NATO perspective if they are involved in fighting in Lviv or do you mean it could be Russia making excuses to commit more atrocities against civilians.

I too am sure SAS have been there all along and I am very grateful for it

Excellent interview with Fiona Hill - towards the end she sums up where we are very succinctly, especially in terms of how Putin has changed the world. 30 min podcast.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/best-of-today/id73330187?i=1000558444997

They bombed an apartment block in Odesa today. Zelensky called them bastards.

No one is fighting in Lviv. There are foreign training bases in Western Ukraine - with some rumoured near Lviv. We do know that the SAS were near Kyiv though (could be Lviv too).

I take any comment from Russia about targeting military targets with a pinch of salt after seeing the smoke rising from tower blocks of Mariupol.

They don't need excuses. They just do it. Then make up all sorts of shit.