I agree with this. I wonder if Putin has even considered what he will do once it’s over? His country will be something of a pariah state, he’ll be accused of war crimes and what will he do with a country whose people hate him? I’m not convinced that his strategists have thought this through to its ultimate end. Or maybe they have, given that theirs is a country of chess.
One thing is for sure - he has shown his forces are not as good as expected - which is very dangerous with his index finger hovering over a red button.
As you say, I cannot see any winners here. I suspect we all stand to lose rather a lot, to varying degrees.

PS - am I the only one that shouts ‘please, please don’t talk’ every time Liz Truss appears?

Don't forget the cheese.

[Link]

- Shutdown of multiple TV stations, for the crime of addressing that this war is taking place

- New 'fake news' laws (up to 15 year in prison) in a country where this is a 'special military operation' not a war

- Blocking of access to twitter + facebook

- Arrests of thousands of peaceful protestors (including children)

To me this all suggests that many are intentionally left blind to the realities of what is happening, and are severely punished if they do recognise and criticise it.

This from today is telling too:

Literally broadcasting live, factual events has, in Russia, become 'fake news' punishable by jail time. The fake news mantra is often used to discredit what is inconvenient rather than untrue. What's happening is Russia in a glaring example.

Edited by BlueJay (06 Mar 2022 8.30pm)

Further, unfortunately graphic, verification and detail of the aforementioned mortar attack on evacuees [Link]

A mother, teenage son and young daughter lie dead besides their severely injured Father and small dog in a carry case. Could there be a more cowardly act. Posted to refer back to, in case the 'civilians aren't targetted' claims turn and to highlight the realities of what the Ukrainian people are facing.

Edited by BlueJay (06 Mar 2022 8.54pm)

Did you read the story that in the one city that has been taken by the Russians that they organised a distribution of food and other essential supplies, with their TV cameras ready to record the event for broadcasting back in Russia, showing grateful Ukrainians after their "liberation".The Ukrainians outwitted them. Played along, turned out and lined up, but as the cameras rolled started chanting in Russian that they "didn't want their frigging grub". I wonder if it was broadcast!

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

I'm not really someone who changes their flag myself but in the spirit of virtue signalling I thought I best do some kind of small heroic act in defiance of evil Russia.

I decided to play the Russian anthem at full blast and I can assure you that during it I made several audible sighs and at one point I even shouted 'No' loudly, booed and hissed and even wagged my finger in a manner which an observer could have said was in a semi aggressive style.

For anyone who wants to join me in this response to the war here is a link to the anthem so that you can make a small difference as well.

[Link]

Edited by Stirlingsays (06 Mar 2022 10.18pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)