Russia, Ukraine and World War III

rostasi · 02-26-2022, 03:42 PM

I've been monitoring wide-band radio and there were some reports that didn't seem believable, but pointed to the BBC for more info, so I went there and, apparently Russia wanted to get this whole thing done much quicker, but they are meeting up with forceful Ukrainians. and I'm seeing that the city of Kiev is getting ready for an enormous onslaught that is supposed to happen within the next hour or so. From the BBC live coverage:

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447

Quote:

Battle for Kyiv set to begin

Lyse Doucet

Chief International Correspondent, reporting from Kyiv

Tonight, at this midnight hour, stark warnings sound of an imminent onslaught against the heart of Kyiv.

“In 30-60 mins #Kyiv will be under attack never seen before. #Russia will hit us with all they have,” tweeted MP Lesia Vasylenko.

Air-raid sirens have pierced the darkness, amplified by warnings in buildings and neighbourhoods for residents to immediately take to shelters. This is already a city where life has dropped underground, to basements, bomb shelters, and metro stations-turned-bunkers. A strict curfew is in force until 8am on Monday.

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There’s been a chilling quiet these last three days in the heart of Kyiv. An eerie stillness on emptied streets has been shattered by occasional crackles of gunfire, a thud of artillery and a thunder clap when missiles land in the distance, on the edges of a beleaguered capital.

A Russian invasion, now at the end of its third day, has seemed to stall on the edges of the city in the midst of concerted Ukrainian resistance – soldiers guarding city gates, civilians taking up arms, even taunting Russian soldiers as they advance in their tanks and armoured vehicles.

Reports from Moscow in recent hours spoke of orders to advance on the city “from all directions.”

In the dead of a Kyiv night, there’s an ominous sense that the battle for this city is about to be unleashed.

**Exo** · 02-26-2022, 04:15 PM

Moments like these make me wish I was the slightest bit religious so that I could say "God be with the people of Kyiv" and have it bare weight. There isn't a good agnostic way of saying "thoughts and prayers".

Honestly, my heart breaks for that city and I hope they give the Russians hell.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 02-26-2022, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exo

Moments like these make me wish I was the slightest bit religious so that I could say "God be with the people of Kyiv" and have it bare weight. There isn't a good agnostic way of saying "thoughts and prayers".

Honestly, my heart breaks for that city and I hope they give the Russians hell.

I am sending pink/white light. It's about the intention not religion etc. Sending light and love to Ukraine and it's people. Take care Grindy, we care!

SGR · 02-27-2022, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exo

Moments like these make me wish I was the slightest bit religious so that I could say "God be with the people of Kyiv" and have it bare weight. There isn't a good agnostic way of saying "thoughts and prayers".

Honestly, my heart breaks for that city and I hope they give the Russians hell.

As the saying goes, "there are no atheists in a foxhole".

rostasi · 02-27-2022, 07:53 AM

Putin orders nuclear deterrent forces to be on 'high alert' as tensions build over Ukraine.

rostasi · 02-27-2022, 08:23 AM

Here’s the real reason Putin is even more pissed.

rubber soul · 02-27-2022, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rostasi

Putin orders nuclear deterrent forces to be on 'high alert' as tensions build over Ukraine.

Sadly, that doesn't come as a surprise. I'm sure the US and Europe are on high alert too. Not that it matters, we're all going to end up as giant parking lots when it's all over unless somebody gets wise in Russia.

jadis · 02-28-2022, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rostasi

Putin orders nuclear deterrent forces to be on 'high alert' as tensions build over Ukraine.

On the one hand I still think Putin is a rational actor, at least in some senses (for example, it's pretty clear he agreed to wait until after the end of the Chinese Olympics before launching the invasion), on the other there's no way to be certain of that. There is a non-zero chance he's not bluffing.

rostasi · 02-28-2022, 07:14 AM

How can it be both “pretty clear” and “no way to be certain”?

jadis · 02-28-2022, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rostasi

How can it be both “pretty clear” and “no way to be certain”?

The bit that seems clear is already in the past (the fact that the invasion was decided long ago, discussed with "allies" or whatever it is that China is to Russia), but I don't think it necessarily means that Putin will act with any semblance of "strategic thinking" in the future. We're in uncharted territory already and if he has his back against the wall, who knows.

02-26-2022, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Exo All day jazz and biscuits Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,354	Moments like these make me wish I was the slightest bit religious so that I could say "God be with the people of Kyiv" and have it bare weight. There isn't a good agnostic way of saying "thoughts and prayers". Honestly, my heart breaks for that city and I hope they give the Russians hell. __________________ LastFM SUPREME POO BAH MODERATOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

02-27-2022, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
rostasi . Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,008	Putin orders nuclear deterrent forces to be on 'high alert' as tensions build over Ukraine.

02-27-2022, 08:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
rostasi . Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,008	Here’s the real reason Putin is even more pissed.

02-28-2022, 07:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
rostasi . Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 4,008	How can it be both “pretty clear” and “no way to be certain”?