Russian invasion of Ukraine | Fewer tweets, more discussion

I disagree. This russian conflict is not the only one documented on Twitter. In recent years I've been following the Taliban reassurance to power. You'd have generals and analyst talk about resistance of Panjshir and how the Taliban government is about to topple any day now.

You left out the part where I specified it depends on being selective about whom you follow. Bellingcat and others on Twitter easily picked apart the Russian lies over shooting down MH17, their use of chemical weapons in Syria, and the military build-up for the current invasion.
 
I know what you mean but it's hard to feel any glass half full vibes when people are being bombed where they live. I'm with @TMDaines , I don't feel our governments are doing enough, especially the UK with all the benefits of Russian money in London. Our governments are talking a good game is all in my opinion. It's probably not the thread for it though.

On the other hand though there’s people dying yet he’s arguing about if United should have been wearing different T-shirts today?

I mention the phenomenal amount of donations made by the public here (I’m sure Ireland too) yet the that’s not a positive either and should be expected?

Just seems plenty of moaning for the sake of moaning with is a shame as can dilute the actual point
 
On the other hand though there’s people dying yet he’s arguing about if United should have been wearing different T-shirts today?

I mention the phenomenal amount of donations made by the public here (I’m sure Ireland too) yet the that’s not a positive either and should be expected?

Just seems plenty of moaning for the sake of moaning with is a shame as can dilute the actual point

Yeah, I find people are always great when needed to give. Everywhere. But I still do think a, lot of the talk and gesturing is empty and hollow. Its all just hard to balance emotionally for some so I do get the frustration.
 
On the other hand though there’s people dying yet he’s arguing about if United should have been wearing different T-shirts today?

I mention the phenomenal amount of donations made by the public here (I’m sure Ireland too) yet the that’s not a positive either and should be expected?

Just seems plenty of moaning for the sake of moaning with is a shame as can dilute the actual point

I do take your point and agree about the United thing but those numbers around refugees we've taken in are pretty appalling aren't they? I really think that our cabinet would fit right in over in Russia a number of them, that is for sure embarrassing to me. I presume you'd be quite happy for us to take in more than 50 Ukrainian refugees?
 
All things considered being “embarrassed to be British” seems utterly over the top, inflammatory and out of proportion to me. Yes there’s plenty to do and improve but we’ve actually done much more than most and that’s been recognised by Ukrainians and other threatened nations in the region.

I think it is 100% fair to be ashamed of our Government's response, and the fact this country set itself up as the Kremlin's laundromat, plus the influence of Kremlin money and disinformation in our politics. In a sense, we helped Putin fund the war through our inaction and we are (as ever) woeful in our response to refugee crises.
 
On the other hand though there’s people dying yet he’s arguing about if United should have been wearing different T-shirts today?

I mention the phenomenal amount of donations made by the public here (I’m sure Ireland too) yet the that’s not a positive either and should be expected?

Just seems plenty of moaning for the sake of moaning with is a shame as can dilute the actual point
Yeah, mate, the Ukrainians should stop being so negative. You tell them.

Do you even realise the kind of crisis Europe is facing? We're talking about millions of displaced people already and it's only just starting.

And the UK government comes out, talks the big game and barely helps any refugees. There's wanting to be positive and then there's wanting a pat on the back for thinking about the Ukrainians for a day or two, donating a few quid and going to a protest in your peaceful country with Ukrainian flags. It's commendable but it won't be nearly enough.

Personally, if I was Ukranian running for my life, hungry, tired, cold in the middle of a snowy winter, I would hardly give a toss if someone sang a song for me on the other side of the world. Maybe that's just me or maybe I'm just being realistic.
 
I do take your point and agree about the United thing but those numbers around refugees we've taken in are pretty appalling aren't they? I really think that our cabinet would fit right in over in Russia a number of them, that is for sure embarrassing to me. I presume you'd be quite happy for us to take in more than 50 Ukrainian refugees?

I don’t disagree at all. Far from it. Happy to acknowledge where we are falling short and apply pressure to force improvements.

That said I’m also happy that we’ve led the way in sending weapons and soldiers to help train the UA months ago (and continue to do so) and as much as I dislike Boris I do think he’s spoke quite well on the matter. Both aspects head and shoulders above the limp, late efforts from the EU.

When you add to that the £55m raised by the British public in 24 hours (now £85m in a little over 48 hours) I’m far from being “embarrassed to be British”.

Plenty of work to be done yes but let’s not paint it as a total shit show when there’s far more other countries doing much, much less
 
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I think it is 100% fair to be ashamed of our Government's response, and the fact this country set itself up as the Kremlin's laundromat, plus the influence of Kremlin money and disinformation in our politics. In a sense, we helped Putin fund the war through our inaction and we are (as ever) woeful in our response to refugee crises.

He said embarrassed to be British - quite different
 
If a diplomatic solution is reached, how does Putin justify domestically that he negotiated with Nazi's?
Genuinely can't see a way for putin to get out of this way politically. No political avenues open to him, without him losing face, and that's not in his make up.
I think militarily he will get bogged down in Ukraine, and at home the truth will seep out and undermine him.

Not sure where that will lead, hopefully civil unrest and regime change, but that might be wishful thinking
 
Yeah, mate, the Ukrainians should stop being so negative. You tell them.

Do you even realise the kind of crisis Europe is facing? We're talking about millions of displaced people already and it's only just starting.

And the UK government comes out, talks the big game and barely helps any refugees. There's wanting to be positive and then there's wanting a pat on the back for thinking about the Ukrainians for a day or two, donating a few quid and going to a protest in your peaceful country with Ukrainian flags. It's commendable but it won't be nearly enough.

Personally, if I was Ukranian running for my life, hungry, tired, cold in the middle of a snowy winter, I would hardly give a toss if someone sang a song for me on the other side of the world. Maybe that's just me or maybe I'm just being realistic.

Firstly I’m not your mate.

With regards to your post, I’ve not told any Ukrainians to stop being negative. Have no idea what you’re referring to with this.

Also no idea what the song is about or what the other things are you’re rambling about. I do think it’s brilliant that millions is being raised for people in need though and if you don’t then fair enough.

I’ve explained where I stand on the issues with refugees so again you are making little sense.
 
Depressing. Do the military experts on Twitter think that this is likely to succeed?
The feeling from most is that supply chain issues are hindering the assault. Whether Russia can get enough material to the column will be key.
 
Genuinely can't see a way for putin to get out of this way politically. No political avenues open to him, without him losing face, and that's not in his make up.
I think militarily he will get bogged down in Ukraine, and at home the truth will seep out and undermine him.

Not sure where that will lead, hopefully civil unrest and regime change, but that might be wishful thinking

Bearing in mind it seems he's lost 10,000+ troops already and he started with roughly 200,000, how long do you think he can get bogged down there for though without a victory or retreat? I guess they'll figure out the logistics stuff eventually but they might have lost many tens of thousands of men by then and be facing a fairly widespread, reasonably well funded and supplied insurgency.
 
Firstly I’m not your mate.

With regards to your post, I’ve not told any Ukrainians to stop being negative. Have no idea what you’re referring to with this.

Also no idea what the song is about or what the other things are you’re rambling about. I do think it’s brilliant that millions is being raised for people in need though and if you don’t then fair enough.

I’ve explained where I stand on the issues with refugees so again you are making little sense.
The UK government has been complicit in fostering dirty money by Putin's regime for years and years and now they're dragging their feet in applying sanctions on the criminals they themselves welcomed (and are very well aware of) while barely ensuring that some of the victims of his genocide are welcomed in the UK?

That clear enough to you or shall we talk about more positive vibes?
 
The UK government has been complicit in fostering dirty money by Putin's regime for years and years and now they're dragging their feet in applying sanctions on the criminals they themselves welcomed (and are very well aware of) while barely ensuring that some of the victims of his genocide are welcomed in the UK?

That clear enough to you or shall we talk about more positive vibes?

Aye it’s crystal clear but it’s nothing to do with the conversation I was having so I’m still confused as to your odd ramblings if I’m honest. No one has disputed any of that.
 
Aye it’s crystal clear but it’s nothing to do with the conversation I was having so I’m still confused as to your odd ramblings if I’m honest. No one has disputed any of that.
The general point is that the UK government have not done nearly as much as people or in fact they themselves are saying.

I won't give them any credit on anything since their sins dating back years are way, way too many.

As for the connection, it's related to the whole glass half full and half empty arguments . Yes, normal people have been great but as we've seen in the last two weeks, governments have the real power and the UK's government is an embarrassment. This is not an exaggeration, it's the truth, as it reflects Johnson's laziness, penchant for lying about what he's actually done/achieved or planning to do and general incompetence in the face of huge issues.

Btw, when I saw government I mean the Tories although I don't know how deep Labour were in this whole mess - it was before I got really into UK politics.
 
Honestly, wouldn't surprise me if this is a Ukraine trap that Russia falls into. They know its coming and will be well prepared for it imo.
One would assume the Russians also know that Kyiv is prepared. But then again, they've been so reckless so far that nothing would surprise me anymore.
 
The general point is that the UK government have not done nearly as much as people or in fact they themselves are saying.

I won't give them any credit on anything since their sins dating back years are way, way too many.

As for the connection, it's related to the whole glass half full and half empty arguments . Yes, normal people have been great but as we've seen in the last two weeks, governments have the real power and the UK's government is an embarrassment. This is not an exaggeration, it's the truth, as it reflects Johnson's laziness, penchant for lying about what he's actually done/achieved or planning to do and general incompetence in the face of huge issues.

Btw, when I saw government I mean the Tories although I don't know how deep Labour were in this whole mess - it was before I got really into UK politics.

Despite its failings it’s still done more than a number of other so called leading countries, and much sooner too.

The poster said he’s embarrassed to be British, not the government are embarrassing.
 
Despite its failings it’s still done more than a number of other so called leading countries, and much sooner too.

The poster said he’s embarrassed to be British, not the government are embarrassing.

Well, we voted for these pricks. Repeatedly. It's hard to ignore that fact. At least we are doing something now though, shows the will is there.
 
Despite its failings it’s still done more than a number of other so called leading countries, and much sooner too.

The poster said he’s embarrassed to be British, not the government are embarrassing.
How many years in a row would the British public have to vote the Tories in power, closing their eyes to the influence of Russia (and other authoritarian states) before it's the responsibility of the British public? That's basically the crux of my point.

Johnson has given the Russians 18 months to cash out? Is that really 'doing enough'?

Yes, they've led on some sanctions like Swift but it was up to the Europeans to agree IIRC since SWIFT is in Belgium. All in all, it's just another special talking operation by Johnson and his cronnies.

I think we're on the same page, it's just that I'm not so ready to give Johnson credit because he's lied too many times for my liking.
 
Honestly, wouldn't surprise me if this is a Ukraine trap that Russia falls into. They know its coming and will be well prepared for it imo.
I suspect the Ukrainians want them to try and come into Kyiv in order to stop them dead just for a day or two whilst they then throw everything they have to try and sever the supply route leaving the Russians troops isolated and without resupply of fuel, ammo and provisions.
The whole logistics part of this Russian invasion is their biggest weakness and I think this is why Ukrainian forces have left it alone, they want the Russian forces to commit to the attack before they try and cut it. I suspect there are a load of small, mobile units in vehicles stacked with NLAW/Javelin waiting to perform repeated hit & run strikes on fuel tankers, trucks, engineering vehicles etc. They don’t have to attack the tanks or APCs to stop them, they just run them out of fuel & ammo.
 
Assuming that Russian losses continue to mount and Putin's stated objective of "regime" change remains out of reach, I'm trying to see a way out that both Kiev and Putin might eventually accept.

All I can come up with is:

* Kiev agrees to recognise Russian occupation of Crimea and formally cede it to Russia.
* Putin agrees to immediately withdraw all forces back into Crimea and Russia.
* Kiev agrees to cede either the Donbar or Luhansk regions (but not both) either to Russia or as an "independent" republic.
* Russia recognises the legitimacy of the Kiev government and Ukraine (with its new, reduced borders) as a sovereign state, independent of Russia.
* Kiev reserves the right to apply to join the EU and/or NATO, but agrees not to do so for at least 10 years.
* Russia formally acknowledges the above right, given the 10-year caveat.
* Kiev reserves the right to continue bringing in defensive weapons and receive military training from the West.
* Russia agrees that it if ever invades Ukraine again, it's claim to Crimea and Donbar/Luhansk becomes defunct.
* Discontinuation of Western sanctions are not part of the agreement.

That's a lot for both parties to swallow, but then it (a) stops all the killing; and (b) gives some "wins" for both.
Considering that Putin has now torn up the Budapest Memorandum not once but twice by invading Ukrainian land, has his army bombing civilians during not one but two ceasefires, and controls Russia with lies and punishments for anyone who says otherwise, I wouldn't really trust anything that Russia agree to. It just feels like kicking the can down the road and Ukraine would be back in this position within a decade.
 
I suspect the Ukrainians want them to try and come into Kyiv in order to stop them dead just for a day or two whilst they then throw everything they have to try and sever the supply route leaving the Russians troops isolated and without resupply of fuel, ammo and provisions.
The whole logistics part of this Russian invasion is their biggest weakness and I think this is why Ukrainian forces have left it alone, they want the Russian forces to commit to the attack before they try and cut it. I suspect there are a load of small, mobile units in vehicles stacked with NLAW/Javelin waiting to perform repeated hit & run strikes on fuel tankers, trucks, engineering vehicles etc. They don’t have to attack the tanks or APCs to stop them, they just run them out of fuel & ammo.
I am not so sure that they are really leaving that huge convoy alone. Minimal attacks that just block the road are enough to leave all stuck, as they can't go offroad (would just get stuck in the mud). In a way you could say the northern front has a width of three vehicles.
 
This is a thread about a disgraceful war lads, nobody is coming out of it well. What exactly do you want?
I don’t know, I just read a post saying roughly “isn’t it nice the British public have raised X amount” only for it to be batted back with a bucketload of negativity. Our government are cnuts & we’re worse for voting them in etc etc. We know…. feck me isn’t there enough threads detailing that.