Putin, arse, elbow

[ajohn]

NATO man was complaining that they were not involved in Minsk. The Minsk agreement never really settled things down and Ukraine have said they agreed because they had a gun to their head. It did seem to quieten things down.

A film crew went into the disputed area just after the fighter had moved through. From that based on what was still going on it was mostly shelling and shooting of course. It concerned a family. It showed where the soldiers had been barracked when they arrived. Sounds like one of the kids didn't do well as he only spoke Russian and didn't understand attitudes about that. The mother or grand mother explained that. Earlier when shell were going both ways past them she said the pauses were the worst as they always started up again. One bloke was eating his dinner and a shell fragment took most of his head off.

Both sides are now said to have used cluster ammunition. Both sides shell Both sides mortar. Both leave a mess.

NATO man is hoping to sort something out concerning corridors. Russia done. Kyev next after a talk with Putin who is causing him to hang around a bit while he does other things on his schedule. Typical politics.

 

[ajohn]

He denies Russian military killings of civilians in Bucha

I have a suspicion that Bucha is the place that invited the Russians in and then wiped out a column. They mayor was really proud. Both sides have hit it during fighting anyway. Not that I am excusing the Russians. I'm not. Ukraine is supposed to be investigating one of their war crimes. They happen and both sides will have a story to tell.

"In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and started a bloody war

Wow I didn't know that is what happened. Wars are always bloody. They have also changed, A Ukrainian lady who was interviewed who was around in WWII. In that she could run and there wasn't the same sort of shelling. Now all she has is her basement.

 

[transam]

Step up the western involvement

All this talk and threats from Putin about his nuclear Arsenal

and showing off his latest toys in some red square celebration

who cares I say

take it as a given that Putin is all
***s and wind and if he is not well
***t happens

larges areas of Russia and millions of Russians will be destroyed

and whilst we are at it we can put one on that North Korean fruit cake and the mad mullahs

the west’s nuclear bombs are locked loaded and primed
Just needs a launch button pushing

 

[Stivino]

Step up the western involvement

All this talk and threats from Putin about his nuclear Arsenal

and showing off his latest toys in some red square celebration

who cares I say

take it as a given that Putin is all
***s and wind and if he is not well
***t happens

larges areas of Russia and millions of Russians will be destroyed

and whilst we are at it we can put one on that North Korean fruit cake and the mad mullahs

the west’s nuclear bombs are locked loaded and primed
Just needs a launch button pushing

No Nobel prize for you again

 

[ajohn]

I had heard that it looks like Russia is showing " interest" in areas outside of Donbas. Looking it involves a place called Zaporizhzhai. Last major place in the SE not controlled by Russia.
They have also shown interest in Dnipro and it seems Kremenchuk. These cities more or less divide Ukraine east and west as they appear to have been in the past - lakes and a river. It finishes at Kyiv.

I suppose it will be the usual. Get as many to move out as possible. Then............................ Or Mariupol type situation if things don't work out. Maybe too many of those.

 

[transam]

No Nobel prize for you again

not unless they come up with another category

 

[transam]

Officials in the pro Russian breakaway region of Moldova said that several rocket propelled grenades hit the state security ministry yesterday (?)

Raising the prospect (?) of “ oppresion” of the Russian speaking people which could pave the way for Russian claim ( excuse) that any military action is designed as liberation as the Kremlin has claimed in the Ukraine

 

[ajohn]

Some radio masts that broadcast Russian have been "blown" down in break away Moldova. No real comment I have heard about how or by who. I have heard that there will be some sort of Belarus - Russia war gaming. Aircraft I think.

NATO man in not being reported that accurately. I listened to some of his speech. Not so much a cease fire more a corridor where neither side shoots. Maybe a hint about observers

I had heard that T54 tanks will be sent but maybe incorrect. Ukraine has T72's maybe due to the russian friendly president they had.

USA defense secretary boosting up arm supplies from 40 countries. Talking held in Germany. It seems Germany is sending some very modern stuff. USA $170m of none standard ammunition. Various talks about longer range stuff and invitation from the UK to attack Russia with it if they want. I hope this isn't NATO panicking now the fighting terrain has changed etc.We know zero about Ukraine's losses and only rough info about Russia's.

UK Defence man - no risk of WW3 as their responses are carefully calibrated. Some think the actions all over from the west may cause an escalation.

 

[transam]

The war will definitely escalate

no doubt about it

moldovia extremely concerned

just been listening to the Swedish defence minister
Very concerned fella expecting escalation

anouncement in the 13th may ref Sweden’s nato intentions

uk offering to send naval vessels to patrol Swedish waters a sort of visual show of support

Germany sending heavy weapons
Howitzers and missile delivery tanks

 

[ajohn]

It's all still rather wait and see really. What will be will be. The USA clearly want Russia left as weak as possible. I am pretty sure that has figured for a while.

Germany seems to be sending a tank type item but intended to shoot down missiles. UK inferred that UK maybe / NATO troops might be added for training but personally I wouldn't take much notice of that until it happens

Boris's tanks. Replacing T54's was mentioned from ?? Poland. The T74 is a more recent tank. Small compared with what the west usually used but to account for roads and etc in E Europe.

There has been a comment that Scandinavian countries not in NATO will be joining. Ukraine joining not so clear - eventually mentioned. There has always been that sort of comment around. I don't know why. Also noises about increasing representatives in NATO's big boy club. I'd have my doubts about that changing.

 

[transam]

Finland will def be joining Nato

the train has left the station and will not be turned around

When Finland join up so will the Swedes

Ukraine highly un likely to

not going to happen

not for a good few years if ever

 

[Justin Passing]

Gas supplies - Poland:
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/26/russian-gas-supplies-to-poland-halted-polish-media-reports.html
Bulgaria:
https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/04/26/russia-cuts-off-natural-gas-supplies-to-bulgaria-reports/

both being cut because GazProm has changed the terms of the contracts to force prepayments, and in Roubles.
both claim they have alternative suppliers so homes shouldn't go short.



Bulgaria - splits in the ruling coalition about what type of support for Ukraine. One side says nothing lethal, while another :

On April 25, Petkov announced a campaign for everyone, as he said he had done, to donate a month’s salary to fund the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/04/26/socialist-party-refuses-to-join-bulgarian-pms-delegation-in-kyiv/


OK Bulgaria ia a minnow (1/8th of Poland's GDP) but Pootn wil like seeing a split.

 

[Vinty]

are you suggesting that instead of signing an agreement with a lying dictator that wanted to invade europe, he should have signed a pact with a lying dictator that wanted to invade europe?

Yes why not.
It could have prevented WW2.
America and Europe have been doing deals with dictators for centuries.
Winston Churchill had no problem doing a deal with Stalin.
In geopolitics there is no such thing as right or wrong, only thing that counts is national interests.

 

[Justin Passing]

Branson's idea doesn't seem to have got traction.
https://www.virgin.com/branson-fami...ness-must-end-reliance-on-russian-oil-and-gas

Reported a few days ago, he says various things, inlcuding to drop all the speed limits for a year or two, to reduce oil consumption, thus reducing the demand and price of oil and therefore money to Pootin.
Not the dumbest of ideas on the face of it, though with trucks and ships excluded, maybe not so effective.
He also said turn your thermostat down 1°. If we'd done that every time someone suggested it in the past few years, they'd be set at -3.

 

[Justin Passing]

Yes why not.
It could have prevented WW2.
America and Europe have been doing deals with dictators for centuries.
Winston Churchill had no problem doing a deal with Stalin.
In geopolitics there is no such thing as right or wrong, only thing that counts is national interests.

The interests of the national LEADER, anyway! And it's usually LAND.