To be absolutely terrified of war

[ladylalatub]

Putin has threatened severe consequences unlike any ever experienced before, if any Western countries intervene. I have relatives in Africa and am wondering whether to evacuate the UK now before it's too late. A Chinese official on Channel 4 the other day said this would trigger Armageddon. Is anywhere safe in the world if things escalate? Are we all doomed? I was at the market earlier and heard some students talking about learning how to use a gun and conscription not being far off. This is all really scary.

@MorrisZapp

I've got an incredibly stupid question to ask. If this horror show is truly the result of one unhinged megalomaniac, why doesn't someone just take him out? Destabilising vast areas of the world and slaughtering innocents to appease one ego seems insane.

Russia is corrupt as fuck, pay someone, arm them and boom boom. Problem solved.

I know I'm wrong, but why am I wrong?

I think he's well protected but I've been reading online that someone in the inner circles might do it as they aren't all pleased with what's going on. Could be bullshit though.

Welcome to mumsnet.

So intriguing that so many new posters have joined to discuss how terrified they are, how they don’t want to let their kids go out, are going to leave the country etc etc.

I’m sure that the worst that will happen is that someone might blow up a few bridges here

Putin does not want a war with the USA. This is what would happen if they invaded any NATO country. Get a grip!

@MorrisZapp

I've got an incredibly stupid question to ask. If this horror show is truly the result of one unhinged megalomaniac, why doesn't someone just take him out? Destabilising vast areas of the world and slaughtering innocents to appease one ego seems insane.

Russia is corrupt as fuck, pay someone, arm them and boom boom. Problem solved.

I know I'm wrong, but why am I wrong?

Because in these situations often someone worse gets into power.

I get that it's easy to get wound up by the media. Of course it's horrific, and must be terrifying for people in Ukraine. But think about it from Putin's viewpoint. Why on earth would he actually fire nuclear weapons at other countries? It wouldn't work, they'd fire back and he'd lose everything (as would anyone else in the vicinity).
This is all willy-waving.

Russia has a lot of investment in property in London and other cities in the UK. Again, he's probably going to not want to annoy billionaires by then bombing it all.
And look how far away the UK is from Russia. It's not like invading over the border. And if he's busy taking Ukraine, there's only a set number of troups to go elsewhere.

Be concerned about Ukranians, definitely, but there's really not going to be a war over here.

Ukraine will be lost to Russia, but so long as Russia doesn't try to invade a NATO country, I reckon the only real consequences for the UK will be cyber attacks and a rising cost of living.
Interesting to hear Boris bigging up our strong European links, he wasn't half so quick to emphasise that a few years ago when he was keen to get Brexit done.

I actively hope that someone assassinstes Putin. I think it's unlikely but I still actively hope that there is uprising within Russia and he's taken down by his own people. The problem is then who takes his place but I'd be happy to deal with one step at a time!

What do nornal Russian people think of this? Are they supportive and view the west as dangerous and think they're taking back their rightful land? Are they aghast and want Putin removed? Are they divided on this issue?

ThreeRingCircus I'm sure most people in Russia are probably too scared of the consequences of what will happen. I've read a few books about Russia and Putin's not afraid to have someone killed if he thinks they're going to cause trouble for him. I agree with you though - a bullet through the head might be the best thing.

Interestingly reading online it appears that Ukraine aren’t going to go down without a fight.

The media have very much pushed the narrative that Russia are just going to go in and take the country when in fact over 50 Russian troops have already been killed and several tanks destroyed, which is about equal to the number of Ukrainians.

They’re not going down without a fight and Russia may have over estimated their power.

@NobodysGonnaKnow James Bond is in MI6.
MI5 is domestic security.
(I've studied Bond's methods extensively/obsessively watched the films)

They may have family or friends in Ukraine, and it'll be young Russian men (and women?) doing the fighting, plus Ukraine might retaliate.
I don't know, but I imagine most Russians would, like anyone if their country started invading a neighbour, not be happy about it - and maybe very anxious too.

Welcome to mumsnet @ladylalatub how are you finding it?

I forgot to answer… it would all be okay if they were vegan.

Would it? I don’t think it would.

@MorrisZapp

I've got an incredibly stupid question to ask. If this horror show is truly the result of one unhinged megalomaniac, why doesn't someone just take him out? Destabilising vast areas of the world and slaughtering innocents to appease one ego seems insane.

Russia is corrupt as fuck, pay someone, arm them and boom boom. Problem solved.

I know I'm wrong, but why am I wrong?

If anyone tries to take him out, I hope they do a better job than the ones who plotted to blow up Hitler.

@Deliberateplanning

What of any worth would be left to him?

Maybe he doesn't care, maybe he's been diagnosed with a terminal illness? Maybe he's just totally paranoid or has the beginnings of dementia? Not sure that logic stands up to much sadly.

I think he is ill. Looks like he's on steroids which can affect things.

Putin is ill. It was reported a while back. A degenerative disease I believe.

I spent most of my teenage years (1980s) terrified of Nuclear War. We had Threads and The Day After on the telly, Wargames on the big screen and When the Wind Blows in original book form. Sting hoped the Russians loved their children too and the "Protect and Survive" Public Service announcements scared the shit out of me to the extent that the intro to "Two Tribes" still gives me the willies decades later.

I can't be doing with that level of angst now, so like PPs I can't get too het up over something I can do nothing about.

Get. A. Grip.

It is a scary situation, OP. I thought this was a really good explanation of what's happening and why. It's long (some probs at the start with sound, so you might have to skip forward a bit) but interesting and I personally find having a better understanding of what's happening helps me feel less afraid. Fwiw, he doesn't think there will be nuclear war and there's no scaremongering.

Very scary. Rumours are they'll bring back conscription for all able bodied men

@MorrisZapp

I've got an incredibly stupid question to ask. If this horror show is truly the result of one unhinged megalomaniac, why doesn't someone just take him out? Destabilising vast areas of the world and slaughtering innocents to appease one ego seems insane.

Russia is corrupt as fuck, pay someone, arm them and boom boom. Problem solved.

I know I'm wrong, but why am I wrong?

tbh I agree.

@Oblomov22

What exactly are you scared of. Yes Putin has form for this kind of stuff. So?

I don't get this competitive un-botheredness about things like this always bring about. Whatever happens this is a hugely significant event and it is very worrying.

Of course that doesn't mean we should be creating mass hysteria or declaring it's the end of days. But 'So?' is such an offensively flippant statement in the face of what is already a large scale violent conflict.

@LampLighter414

Very scary. Rumours are they'll bring back conscription for all able bodied men

That's a really irresponsible thing to say, cruel and likely to cause complete panic. Give facts, not rumours. Rumours from where?

@LampLighter414

Very scary. Rumours are they'll bring back conscription for all able bodied men

Oh just stop. That's ridiculous scare mongering at this stage. Idiotic.