The Struggle For Ukraine

[Boethius]

All internet connections to Ukraine currently are down.  Rumours are there was an attempted coup, but there is no confirmation yet.

[ML]

WOW this jumped out at me as something very  scary.

But my google search uncovered nothing.

Wife has talked to people in Ukraine via Skype all day as this is her birthday.

[John Gaunt]

I haven’t heard anything to suggest that.

[BC]

Have been online with folks I work with in UA all yesterday and today.

No issues noted.

[Trenchcoat]

Well according to recent reports Russia's troops are on the move again. Putin is pulling tanks from Siberia in the direction of Ukraine apparently according to this article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10147369/Russian-westbound-gas-supply-Yamal-Europe-pipeline-comes-halt.html

Not sure what he's after this time or whether the oil pipelines will play a part. Seems a lot of fuss to keep moving troops on such a large scale around unless you intend to do something with them.

[ML]

Well according to recent reports Russia's troops are on the move again. Putin is pulling tanks from Siberia in the direction of Ukraine apparently according to this article:

Ooooopps . . . I guess he doesn't know that China poses a much bigger risk to Russia (in the long run) than Ukraine ever will.

[Trenchcoat]

Ooooopps . . . I guess he doesn't know that China poses a much bigger risk to Russia (in the long run) than Ukraine ever will.

You could be right ML, China is a big military and economic power now right on Russia's doorstep. They may have a few common issues against the west but with Chiba getting so strong and Russia renewing it's military technology they could end up seeing each other as a threat.

Latest news on Ukraine & Russia's new military build up:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10156359/Ukrainian-President-Zelensky-corners-Biden-COP26-royal-reception-discuss-tensions-Russia.html

[Trenchcoat]

Russia still has its build up of troops near Ukraine which is becoming a concern for the US:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10172613/Biden-sends-CIA-Director-Bill-Burns-Moscow-warn-Putin-building-troops-Ukraine-border.html

Apparently article states Ukraine has a problem with energy also. Guessing their gas and electricity supply is worse than ours.

[Trenchcoat]

Looks like this could be it! Russia looks like it's sizing up to invade Ukraine, looking like it could really happen this time:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russia-brink-ukraine-invasion-thousands-25442398

With the virus, energy issues etc and now the Russkies amassing huge forces to invade Ukraine it looks like Ukrainians are really in for one hell of a winter. Probably best to avoid a trip out there at the moment. Looking like Krimster's predictions could be coming true.

[Chelseaboy]

Russia has now sent paratroopers into Belarus,whilst we're now sending troops into Poland.


Looks like the build-ups in Eastern Europe are accelerating amid warnings from the USA and UK about Russian forces building up on the Ukraine border.

[Trenchcoat]

Russia has now sent paratroopers into Belarus,whilst we're now sending troops into Poland.


Looks like the build-ups in Eastern Europe are accelerating amid warnings from the USA and UK about Russian forces building up on the Ukraine border.

Some think Putin is just making mischief. Belarus is unhappy at EU sanctions against it and is causing the migrant problem some say to get back at EU sanctions against it. The EU is looking to create an EU army with around 5,000 soldiers towards 2025 so that it can act independently abroad where it needs without the unanimous agreement if all member states. It's still got to go through the EU Member states for approval. I personally think it is too small and doesn't answer the problem the EU has in its border at home namely Russia. At the moment it's still NATO picking up the can and is of course this time. Belarus is threatening to cut gas supplies to Europe also.

So whether they are just staying all of this to get concessions who knows? Last time it was possibly about sanctions on the Baltic sea pipeline from Russia to Germany. It looked like it may have got them lifted. Don't know if this is all about getting sanctions on its neighbour Belarus lifted, seems a lot of bother for that.

It looks like Russia has cut some lines that can detect submarines from Norway:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10196799/Norwegian-undersea-surveillance-network-capable-detecting-submarines-cables-cut.html

Possibly they are gearing up for an Invasion of Ukraine to some extent. All depends on whether they make a move this time or another phoney war. Some say Russia has been left feeling humiliated and weak from its USSR days where it held a lot more territory and it wants some of that territory back. Others say that territory could be more of a burden on its economy than much of a help. I can't see them taking over large amounts of territory with NATO doing nothing though. Will have to wait and see if they actually make a move this time.

[Chelseaboy]

15,000 Polish troops have been deployed to the border with Belarus....just 20 miles from where Russian Paratroopers landed.


8.500 Ukrainian troops have been deployed to the border with Russia.


USA Vice President Kamala Harris says the USA is" looking at the tools it has" after a day of rapid-fire developments.


Meanwhile UK fighter jets were scrambled to see off two Russian bombers close to the UK....again.

[Boethius]

The deployment of Polish troops is due to the migrant crisis Lukashenko has created.

[Chelseaboy]

Harris has spoken with Macron and says "On the issue of Belarus and what is happening at the border with Poland we are very concerned about that and closely paying attention to it."


Pity she's not so concerned about the illegal migrants flooding into the UK....aided by Macron,with French warships filmed shadowing the migrants into UK waters.

[Trenchcoat]

I don't think we'll have any concerns about Russian troops crossing into Poland, we've sent out 10 of our troops to Poland to see them off. I very much doubt they'll be able to top that.

[Trenchcoat]

Brexit Britain taking full advantage of the situation in Ukraine to boost its Naval sales

http://news.sky.com/story/uk-signs-deal-to-help-boost-ukraines-navy-in-the-face-of-increased-threat-from-russia-12470490

More jobs and money brought into the country by this one

[Trenchcoat]

President Zelensky is no longer the popular boy he once was with Ukrainians more interested in other matters than a pretty boy with a cheesy smile:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/a-covid-19-crisis-and-putins-war-push-ukraine-to-breaking-point

Covid still hitting Ukraine hard at the moment, Russian tanks on the border looking set to move in and of course colder temperatures now hitting Ukraine with gas being a problem to get hold off.

http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/interview/analyst-eu-must-force-gazprom-to-supply-gas-to-russia-ukraine-border/

[Trenchcoat]

Latest reports on the Russia/Ukraine situation. A Ukrainian General reckons Russia may invade around January time, plan your dating trips carefully guys Can't think what Kherson girl would be thinking now with Russian tanks amassed on the border, from the article it looks like the Russians could come in from every which way!

http://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10229427/amp/Russia-preparing-INVADE-Ukraine-end-January-Kiev-General-warns.html

[Boethius]

She's probably thinking "Maybe I will meet a handsome young soldier.  Thank goodness I didn't weigh myself down with that middle aged British idiot who thought buying me goods worth a day of wages should result in eternal gratitude."

[Trenchcoat]

She's probably thinking "Maybe I will meet a handsome young soldier.  Thank goodness I didn't weigh myself down with that middle aged British idiot who thought buying me goods worth a day of wages should result in eternal gratitude."

Lol, during WWII enemy soldiers invading into a country often meant that the local girls were going to be met with rape. I'm sure though we are living in more enlightened times now, perhaps.

[Chelseaboy]

She's probably thinking "Maybe I will meet a handsome young soldier.  Thank goodness I didn't weigh myself down with that middle aged British idiot who thought buying me goods worth a day of wages should result in eternal gratitude."

I'm sure all young women who's country is about to be invaded by another country think they may meet a handsome young soldier.


German women were very well-treated by the invading Soviet forces weren't they ?


Estimates are that up to 2 million German women were raped by Soviet soldiers.


According to historian William Hitchcock many of the women were raped up to 60 or 70 times.


Let's hope the rapists were all young and handsome eh ?

[Boethius]

There are Ukrainian soldiers as well.


First, I doubt rather highly that Russia is readying an invasion of Ukraine.  Second, no matter what is stated, these peoples, other than in Western Ukraine, largely think of themselves as one. 

[Chelseaboy]

There are Ukrainian soldiers as well.


First, I doubt rather highly that Russia is readying an invasion of Ukraine.  Second, no matter what is stated, these peoples, other than in Western Ukraine, largely think of themselves as one.

If there is an invasion Ukrainian soldiers will be too busy fighting for their lives to be interested in chasing a  bit of totty.


Tanks rolling down toward you will be a bit of a passion killer.

[Boethius]

Stories from WWII suggest that's inaccurate.  Plus, there isn't going to be an invasion.

[ML]

German women were very well-treated by the invading Soviet forces weren't they ?

Soviet forces 'invaded'  Germany ???

Did USA forces also invade Germany ?