To be worried about war?

[RudolphTheReindeer]

I'm not usually concerned but we have the French and now British Chief of Defence saying we need to be prepared for war with Russia. Which is very concerning?

https://news.sky.com/story/uks-sons-and-daughters-need-to-be-ready-to-fight-amid-growing-russian-threat-says-head-of-armed-forces-13483860

It probably doesn't help I saw some stupid meme on insta last night saying there's a pattern to our years and according to that we're a due a war in 2026

Hi Vlad!

NATO forces would crush any Russian attack in a few hours. We know this from Russia’s abject failure in Ukraine. HTH.

I’m really interested in how you come to this conclusion. Because a lot of it is already happening.
cyber attacks are happening all the time.
Putin at least has appetite for war. War doesn’t have to be popular to happen. It just needs a few fringe lunatics in positions of power who either want or don’t care about the consequences of war on their own populations.

Yanbu

My mum was always worried about WW3 back in the seventies, eighties and nineties. As a result, she amassed a humongous pile of 'Chef's Square-Shaped Soups,' (remember those?!) ... enough to build a bunker for ourselves and the extended family.

I always found it hilarious and still do ... War never came, and when she died, I had to eradicate a houseful of soup.

You can waste a lifetime worrying about the 'what ifs.'

Listen to Sky's excellent podcast The War Game where the " actors" are the actual.people who have held positions such as Defence Secretary,Chief of Defence People, Chancellor,PM, etc.
It is extremely accurate and realistic.

I can remember people have been worried about ww3 happening since I’ve been alive (almost 40 years). The only thing that really changes is which countries are the current worry. Only thing we can do is deal with it if it ever were to happen, until then just carry on as you are.

@Funkytunacompletely agree with this. I’m 46 and precovid I was making myself sick with worry about Putin. Honestly it was awful. I couldn’t eat. I ignore it now. If I had carried on as I was I would have gone mad. I’ll deal with it as I need to (if I need to!)

Not everyone has a garden either

I’m not your mother, I’m not here to solve all your bloody problems. Think creatively

Most people have some space in which some basics can be stored, speaking as a non garage haver.

I think if we need a month then we're probably fucked anyway, but it's a good idea to lay some emergency supplies in where possible. Bottled water, tins, batteries etc. If everyone does what they can, it means those who genuinely dont have space or money to do so can be prioritised in the event of problems.

Russia clearly aren't going to invade any time soon, but a few days cyber attacks on crucial systems wouldn't be fun. Nicer to sit the chaos out at home with bottled water instead of having to queue for it.

Wow no need to be so rude im just pointing out that not everyone is as privileged as to have a garage or garden. Maybe the ones who do will help out others who dont have much storage space.

I’m nearly 60. I lived through the Cold War and the ever present fear of nuclear annihilation. My parents were the WWII generation. There will be no conventional war with Russia. Our sons and daughters will not be getting conscripted to fight in trenches or whatever. If we “go to war” with Russia, it will be over in less than half an hour and the planet will be destroyed. So that’s a cheery thought.
Cyber attacks, food instability, that kind of thing is more likely. No one wears a uniform or carries a gun to deal with that.

Absolutely.

But of course, we still need resources to deal with this very clear threat. So it's understandable he's trying to put the frighteners on. Our defence must be properly funded.

Cross that bridge when I come to it.
Couldn't be any less bothered.
If war happens it happens.
Either way the uk is fucked.

They need a terrified and compliant population. I suspect this is less about war and more about psychological terrorism by our own government.

Agree with @bellinisurge

I am in my mid-50's and can't really remember a time where there hasn't been the war or the threat of war somewhere.

I grew up very close to a military town during the Cold War. Every time I heard a plane fly over our house I thought the world was about to end. We had leaflets coming through the door about how to prepare for nuclear strike and fall out. TV programmes about it. Read 'Z for Zachariah' at school. Drills in school (get under your desk!).

I once asked my dad what we would do in the event of a nuclear strike and he replied that the nearby military city would be one of the first places to be bombed so we would be killed immediately. I still can't decide whether that made me feel better or worse... (better, I think!).

I think this is already happening with cyber attacks etc. and shall continue in this vein (causing disruption to our services).

What Sir Richard Knighton actually said was: 'more people needed to be ready to take up arms to protect the country.
He explained that although the chances of a direct Russian attack on UK soil remain remote, that 'does not mean the chances are zero'.

Also mid fifties and remember the threats of nuclear in the eighties. We lived near a military airbase so my mum also said we would be nuked and gone instantly.

I think an attack will be in the form of cutting our gas, communications and food supplies. Then waiting while citizens turn on each other (remember covid when food was running low and that was when our banking, heating was still working).

If they can carry out the Salisbury attack and our defences did not stop it then what is to stop them doing several of these attacks over different areas. Especially if we are all busy worrying about food, heat etc

No I don't think it will be boots on the ground. Much more likely to have civil war and /or poisoning. You will still need to fight. Except it will be to stop your neighbour stealing your food or raping your teenage daughter. Does anyone really not think that in the absence of law and order looting, rape and murder would not happen.

We are already at war with Russia. We chose to support Ukraine sending money and weapons and housing their citizens.

I believe that is why there is russian ships and submarines being spotted in our waters. They are likely scoping out how to disarm us.

Can you imagine the message that would send the world. This is what happens to countries that support Ukraine. Putin would love it.

The idea of KS being in charge when it all goes wrong is horrifying.

People can prep all they want but if the worst was to happen you’ll only be good until someone with a bigger weapon comes and steals it all.
I’m a small league prepper. I have bottled water, tins and dried food. I have batteries and water purification tablets, a camping stove and plenty of warm blankets etc. Probably I could survive a few months without needing to leave the house. But really, if a guy with a weapon turns up in my house in the middle of the night to steal it all, I will not be able to stop him.

Personally I don't think Russia are competent enough to manage any more than a few days pissing about with essential systems. Their performance in Ukraine has hardly been exemplary.

For me, the focus is more on what I can do to make sure my household put any more strain than we have to on the short term response to that. I don't actually want to survive a full blown nuclear attack or societal collapse anyway, but I'd quite like not to have to go and queue up for bottled water while the taps are off for a few days.

Its sensible to ensure you have a few basics in without going full Zombie Apocalypse. Set up rain barrels in your garden if you have one,store some bottled water under the bed or wherever you have a space. Wind up torches and radio. Solar powered chargers. First aid kit. Disinfectant.Some food rations. Camping cooker if you have an outside area you can use.
Cash! Keep a small amount of cash in the house. It will enable you to shop while electric tills are down and before the looters clear the place. Matches or a firestarter of some kind.