I'm hoping it won't come to it, but War good for recession. Bad for human life, but COVID didn't pan out, so we still need 5 billion of us to take a hit for the team.
Last Edit: Feb 24, 2022 4:33:44 GMT by iron maiden
This shit is crazy. These next 24-48 hours will be pivotal for all of the world.
CNN was reporting in Kiev and you could hear shelling in the background. Dude put on a flak jacket on live TV.
Several cities reporting explosions or gunfire.
Russian state media is using Tucker clips to convince them that America fully supports this action. His dream came true, he is a propaganda artist now of the highest class. They are framing this as a liberation of oppressed Russians in the Ukraine.
China not commented and their media is silent on it.
The Ruble crashed as did the Russian stock market, but they halted traded for the indefinite future.
Just read missiles hit Ukraine command centers in Kiev and Kharkiv.
Air raid sirens went off in Kiev as they are under air assault.
Odessa also has trooping moving in.
Russia fake news bots claiming Kiev destroyed it's own command base with a missile, setting up the narrative Putin will take it to save them from their rulers who attack their own people to blame Russia..
Tons of fake news out there tonight so take everything with a grain of salt. Could be real, could be disinformation. This is peak time for the Russian troll bot army.
Troops are moving on the northern border with Belarusian support.
Holy fuck. This is insane.
I’ve seen this before. It’s surreal and sad. Selfishly, I’m thinking ‘thank god I’m not living it anymore’, but war is war and someone always pays the price.
Absolutely shockingly gobsmacking news to be waking up to, scary times ahead for all.
So many stories being thrown about with what's going on at the moment, I'll hazard a guess to say a tactical nuke will be used before the end of the day, but that's the extreme side I am thinking of.
The big problem for Putin here is that this is the Ukraine he's trying to invade, not some tiny neighbouring country. This will take a long time and the terrain of the country will mean a lot of urban warfare and a lot of lives lost on both lives and a lot of time. In that time, economic sanctions are going to be crippling for Russia. This is why they're trying to move as quickly as they can and reduce Ukrainian resources starting with air attacks today. If the Ukraine can hold Russia up, and they certainly can, this is going to be long and painful for Russia.
Also, comparisons to Hitler are ridiculous. Ukraine pushing to join NATO has put Putin's balls in a vice. Either he occupies Ukraine, or he sits idly by and allows his most powerful neighbour to join united Western security. Yes he's war-hungry, but more in a Bush sort of way than anything like Hitler, let's be real.
The big problem for Putin here is that this is the Ukraine he's trying to invade, not some tiny neighbouring country. This will take a long time and the terrain of the country will mean a lot of urban warfare and a lot of lives lost on both lives and a lot of time. In that time, economic sanctions are going to be crippling for Russia. This is why they're trying to move as quickly as they can and reduce Ukrainian resources starting with air attacks today. If the Ukraine can hold Russia up, and they certainly can, this is going to be long and painful for Russia.
Also, comparisons to Hitler are ridiculous. Ukraine pushing to join NATO has put Putin's balls in a vice. Either he occupies Ukraine, or he sits idly by and allows his most powerful neighbour to join united Western security. Yes he's war-hungry, but more in a Bush sort of way than anything like Hitler, let's be real.
I don't really agree mate, there is no impending deadline whereby Ukraine was inevitably joining NATO. On the other hand I say parallels between Russia's actions and the Cuban Missile Crisis, except... Importantly, the USA never invaded Cuba.
I am also not so sure how much sanctions hurt Russia, they are probably the most self-sufficient nation on Earth and their withdrawal from oil exports arguably hurts the world (specifically Europe) more than it hurts Russia. On the comparison to Hitler, I only made the point that Hitler signed an agreement to not expand his empire, then completely ignored it the moment it was convenient, I don't see Putin honoring any agreement he signs. He was adamant only last week that he wasn't invading Ukraine.
Article 4 invoked to determine if NATO will authorize a military counter attack to defend Ukraine.
Jens Stoltenberg the Secretary General of NATO is now facing the media making it pretty clear without saying it, that Putin hasn't crossed any red line that would invoke military action yet as Tanks roll through Ukraine.
The big problem for Putin here is that this is the Ukraine he's trying to invade, not some tiny neighbouring country. This will take a long time and the terrain of the country will mean a lot of urban warfare and a lot of lives lost on both lives and a lot of time. In that time, economic sanctions are going to be crippling for Russia. This is why they're trying to move as quickly as they can and reduce Ukrainian resources starting with air attacks today. If the Ukraine can hold Russia up, and they certainly can, this is going to be long and painful for Russia.
Also, comparisons to Hitler are ridiculous. Ukraine pushing to join NATO has put Putin's balls in a vice. Either he occupies Ukraine, or he sits idly by and allows his most powerful neighbour to join united Western security. Yes he's war-hungry, but more in a Bush sort of way than anything like Hitler, let's be real.
I don't really agree mate, there is no impending deadline whereby Ukraine was inevitably joining NATO. On the other hand I say parallels between Russia's actions and the Cuban Missile Crisis, except... Importantly, the USA never invaded Cuba.
I am also not so sure how much sanctions hurt Russia, they are probably the most self-sufficient nation on Earth and their withdrawal from oil exports arguably hurts the world (specifically Europe) more than it hurts Russia. On the comparison to Hitler, I only made the point that Hitler signed an agreement to not expand his empire, then completely ignored it the moment it was convenient, I don't see Putin honoring any agreement he signs. He was adamant only last week that he wasn't invading Ukraine.
The Hitler reference wasn't anything to do with you mate, it was based on some Western rhetoric I've been seeing on British media and social media. Fwiw, I'm not defending Putin nor am I saying he isn't a massive cunt. He just isn't Hitler.
Are they really the most self-sufficient country on Earth? Maybe in regards to energy, but they have a lot of wealth tied up in banks internationally and I'd find it hard to believe that Putin wouldn't come under pressure from the wealthiest as this war drags on, which it surely will. As far as the timing on Ukraine joining NATO, I agree but who knows what intelligence the Russians have on that.
I don't think it's a smart move for Putin to do this but it probably isn't a smart move to continue to allow the Westernisation of the Ukraine either and it is clear how that would weaken Russia's power globally.
I don't really agree mate, there is no impending deadline whereby Ukraine was inevitably joining NATO. On the other hand I say parallels between Russia's actions and the Cuban Missile Crisis, except... Importantly, the USA never invaded Cuba.
I am also not so sure how much sanctions hurt Russia, they are probably the most self-sufficient nation on Earth and their withdrawal from oil exports arguably hurts the world (specifically Europe) more than it hurts Russia. On the comparison to Hitler, I only made the point that Hitler signed an agreement to not expand his empire, then completely ignored it the moment it was convenient, I don't see Putin honoring any agreement he signs. He was adamant only last week that he wasn't invading Ukraine.
The Hitler reference wasn't anything to do with you mate, it was based on some Western rhetoric I've been seeing on British media and social media. Fwiw, I'm not defending Putin nor am I saying he isn't a massive cunt. He just isn't Hitler.
Are they really the most self-sufficient country on Earth? Maybe in regards to energy, but they have a lot of wealth tied up in banks internationally and I'd find it hard to believe that Putin wouldn't come under pressure from the wealthiest as this war drags on, which it surely will. As far as the timing on Ukraine joining NATO, I agree but who knows what intelligence the Russians have on that.
I don't think it's a smart move for Putin to do this but it probably isn't a smart move to continue to allow the Westernisation of the Ukraine either and it is clear how that would weaken Russia's power globally.
I think it's likely that Putin has overestimated his success, that seems to be a constant amongst narcissists. I do think that every one of these sanctions come as no surprise whatsoever to Putin, so is suspect that they have been stock piling they are also able to trade freely with China where they share a border.
The factions are building. I saw this coming, as did Trump.
China on Thursday refused to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine, questioning whether it was really an “invasion” — and instead blaming the US for “fanning the flame” of tensions.
“This is perhaps a difference between China and you Westerners. We won’t go rushing to a conclusion,” Hua Chunying, spokesperson at China’s foreign ministry, told reporters at a 90-minute long press briefing.
“Regarding the definition of an invasion … The Ukrainian issue has other, very complicated historical background that has continued to today. It may not be what everyone wants to see,” she claimed.
Instead, “some countries have been following the US in fanning the flame,” Hua said. “We object to any action that hypes up war.”
China also on Thursday offered Russia an economic lifeline amid the rush of sanctions imposed by other nations.
It approved imports of wheat from all regions of Russia — one of the world’s biggest producers — which had been shut out of China until now due to concern about possible fungus and other contamination.
There are videos of purported Russian air strikes on what looks like civilian areas. There’s a chance they may be caught up in a military area, but I doubt it. If it’s how it looks, it’s a war crime. I’m surprised at this strategy because Russia has to be concentrated on speed. Not throwing everything at taking out military bases seems strange. This is if the footage is what it seems, which is something that is continuously going to be an issue throughout this conflict.