Russia Invades

[TsarBomba]

https://twitter.com/liz_cookman?s=11

Al Jazeera correspondent out on the ground in Ukraine. Worth a follow.

[jrgbfc]

well FIFA are *****
FIFA issue statement saying no games in Russia, no flag or anthem of Russia to be played

no ban

If nobody is willing to play Russia I don't see how FIFA have much choice. I'd fully support our FA if they pulled out of the world cup tbh.

[Hipper]

..and here it is in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rovaypdYhfc

And here's the sinking of the Hood and Bismarck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqbaAemNuf4

Ok not much to do with Ukraine but I enjoyed them!

[IanMcL]

HMS Hood was ours. Why is it enjoyable?

[TsarBomba]

https://twitter.com/ckoettl?s=11

Another good account to follow.

NY times journalist that specialises in satellite imagery.

Last image posted is of 100’s of Russian vehicles 40 miles NW of Kyiv.

[Vegas Claret]

https://twitter.com/ckoettl?s=11

Another good account to follow.

NY times journalist that specialises in satellite imagery.

Last image posted is of 100’s of Russian vehicles 40 miles NW of Kyiv.

lack of info coming out over the last 30 mins or so is a worry

[IanMcL]

Ukrainian people pictured blocking the road, in front of a tank convoy.

That is very powerful and if it is repeated everywhere, will stop the aggressor in their tank tracks!

Must be very hard being a Russian soldier, entering Ukraine to save them and finding out you are the bad guys!

[TsarBomba]

lack of info coming out over the last 30 mins or so is a worry

Completely agree. Nothing coming out of Kyiv tonight, so far.

[TsarBomba]

The Russian convoy from the satellite imagery suggested to be 5km in length.

[ClaretMat]

The mayor of Kiev (Klitschko) has advised they are surrounded by Russian forces. Acc to BBC.
Sounds like a few of the larger cities are in a similar position.
Could be an extremely grim night.

[Vegas Claret]

The Russian convoy from the satellite imagery suggested to be 5km in length.

baffles me why the US doesn't send in the B2 stealth bombers to wipe them out. No point having stealth capability if you aren't going to use them

[ClaretInLeeds]

There’s a lot of US and UK military aviation over the countries to the east of Ukraine.

[Vegas Claret]

Polish FA aren't having FIFA at all

[Vegas Claret]

There’s a lot of US and UK military aviation over the countries to the east of Ukraine.

yep, Typhoons, F35's, F18's, F15's, F16's and F22's. Plus all the heavies (100% there are B52's, B1's and B2's over there)

[ClaretInLeeds]

All loaded up to the nines too. Russia’s offence could potentially be destroyed in minutes if required.

[AlargeClaret]

You can only hope the UKR President negotiates a cease fire to enable safe passage . While the Russians look to be taking great pains to minimise civilian casualties ,let no one be fooled that their huge numerical ,technical and hardware superiority will ensure an almost Stalingrad like grip on the main cities if UKR continue to fight ( if not already surrounded )Their bravery is akin to Belgiums 18 day hold out against Hitler.

The behaviour of the Russian people may be interesting as the banks ( if they open ?) will be run into the ground and a likely collapse of the rouble and even a mini hyper inflation could cause havoc .

[dermotdermot]

All loaded up to the nines too. Russia’s offence could potentially be destroyed in minutes if required.

But wouldn’t we all be dead if they tried that?

[NewClaret]

Polish FA aren't having FIFA at all

Absolutely brilliant. Love how the West are fighting back against this. FA should be clear we will not participate in competitions in which Russia are taking part either. Act quickly and embarrass the hapless FIFA!

[ClaretInLeeds]

I think they are on standby in case Putin decides to attack anyone else.

Let’s not forget Belarus’ part in all of this too….

[TonbridgeClaret]

There’s a lot of US and UK military aviation over the countries to the east of Ukraine.

Isn't it only Russia to the east of Ukranian border?

[dermotdermot]

Is anyone else **** scared, or is it just me?

[ClaretInLeeds]

Isn't it only Russia to the east of Ukranian border?

Apologies, I obviously meant the west!

[TonbridgeClaret]

Apologies, I obviously meant the west!

No problem, that's what I thought you probably meant.

[Cubanforever]

How will all the weapons being given to Ukraine reach the people that need them if they are all surrounded and don't have air superiority?

[JarrowClaret]

You can only hope the UKR President negotiates a cease fire to enable safe passage . While the Russians look to be taking great pains to minimise civilian casualties ,let no one be fooled that their huge numerical ,technical and hardware superiority will ensure an almost Stalingrad like grip on the main cities if UKR continue to fight ( if not already surrounded )Their bravery is akin to Belgiums 18 day hold out against Hitler.

The behaviour of the Russian people may be interesting as the banks ( if they open ?) will be run into the ground and a likely collapse of the rouble and even a mini hyper inflation could cause havoc .

I don’t think the Russians have a numerical advantage at all I think the standing Ukraine Army was at around 200,000 you can add to that reserves which have been mobilised and then anyone else that has joined the fights as well. We also need to remember that Ukraine uses conscription still so pretty much any male that is of age has military experience. The rest of the advantages are real and scary though.

Russians had amassed around 170,000 around the Ukraine border no idea if they have added to it since but they had deployed around 2/3 the last time I read an update on it.

[elwaclaret]

Well that never happened in World War 2

Swiss saying it is “Very likely” that they are about to freeze all Russian accounts… now that will kin hurt I’m sure.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Is anyone else **** scared, or is it just me?

Not just yet but things have changed so much in the last four days it’s difficult to know where things are heading.

[ClaretInLeeds]

My guess is that Russia won’t have sent their entire army in. A large contingent will be required to ensure their security - otherwise anyone could waltz in and take Russia whilst they are all in Ukraine.

[TsarBomba]

How will all the weapons being given to Ukraine reach the people that need them if they are all surrounded and don't have air superiority?

From what I’ve seen, deliveries are via road through Poland up to the border.

[Cubanforever]

Is anyone else **** scared, or is it just me?

Certainly feeling a tad anxious Dermot, next couple of days look pivotal

[dermotdermot]

‘Waltz in and take Russia’? Now come on!

[JarrowClaret]

How will all the weapons being given to Ukraine reach the people that need them if they are all surrounded and don't have air superiority?

I guess by road or rail the west of Ukraine I think is the safe zone and is largely quiet apart from some missile and air strikes. The other night there was an RAF C17 doing circles near the border over Poland I think no doubt dropping things by parachute for them to be moved east. I wonder if any US UK flights would go as far as Lviv land and drop there load and take off again. I have read on Twitter about at least 1 flight turning it’s transponder off near the border.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Is anyone else **** scared, or is it just me?

The threat of a nuclear attack scares the hell out of me.

Scary times ahead

[JarrowClaret]

The threat of a nuclear attack scares the hell out of me.

Scary times ahead

Not there yet Newcastle although I wouldn’t look at a map of his top 10 targets in the UK if it did go that way if I were you. Putin has moved there Alert state up 1 level it is similar to the US defcon measures, there are 2 more to go I believe before we need to contemplate a Nuclear attack.

[Lancasterclaret]

Unless the Russians have more troops than they have, they are going to leave huge areas completely undefended as they advance

I'm sure they are advancing where they have clear terrain and nothing to stop them, but unless they take the transport hubs (ie cities), then they are just going to run out of fuel and supplies

Well trained and well motivated troops can survive and function for a bit, but conscripts etc will start abandoning their vehicles and heading for safety as soon as possible (as we are seeing with the amount of abandoned equipment)

Peace talks have been put back a day, so you do wonder if Russia has had a significant military success that they think will give them more leverage

I'll be very surprised if this continues past Russia taking at least one of Khark'iv or Kyi'v, as they will have some "victory" for Putin to save face over

[Cubanforever]

Not there yet Newcastle although I wouldn’t look at a map of his top 10 targets in the UK if it did go that way if I were you. Putin has moved there Alert state up 1 level it is similar to the US defcon measures, there are 2 more to go I believe before we need to contemplate a Nuclear attack.

Problem is I don't trust Putin one bit, if he did fire one I don't think he'd go through the right protocols at all if it was possible.....that's the worry

[gandhisflipflop]

The thing that makes me ******* angry is seeing kids suffering no matter which side of the fence they are on.

[NewClaret]

There’s basically just one loose cannon causing all this carnage. Surely someone will just drop something very heavy on him if it gets anywhere near close to him firing nukes?!?

[Vegas Claret]

FINALLY

[bobinho]

Polish FA aren't having FIFA at all

Quite right too...

FIFA are an embarrassment to the game, and in this latest statement, they have become an embarrassment to all things right and decent.

Only unity in all things and by all decent nations will show Russia and its people that what Putin and his cronies are doing is abhorrent. Hopefully the Russian Dumas will understand this is all so very bad for the Russian people as well as everyone else in the region, not least Ukraine and get rid of this modern day Stalin. The bloke is seriously unstable - I thought Kim Jong-un, Biden and Johnson were a worry, but this fella is a serious risk to world peace.

[Vegas Claret]

proper game changer

[NewClaret]

The thing that makes me ******* angry is seeing kids suffering no matter which side of the fence they are on.

Or just anyone suffering. Imagine your block of flats and home being completely written off by a big hole being blown in it!!!

[Vegas Claret]

Quite right too...

FIFA are an embarrassment to the game, and in this latest statement, they have become an embarrassment to all things right and decent.

Only unity in all things and by all decent nations will show Russia and its people that what Putin and his cronies are doing is abhorrent. Hopefully the Russian Dumas will understand this is all so very bad for the Russian people as well as everyone else in the region, not least Ukraine and get rid of this modern day Stalin. The bloke is seriously unstable - I thought Kim Jong-un, Biden and Johnson were a worry, but this fella is a serious risk to world peace.

I'd like to see EVERY country withdraw from FIFA

[JarrowClaret]

Hmmm not verified but seeing reports that the Russian chief of the General stag General Gerasimov has been sacked! Highly respected leader think this makes things worse if true although I can’t say it is surprising, but better the devil you know etc.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Not there yet Newcastle although I wouldn’t look at a map of his top 10 targets in the UK if it did go that way if I were you. Putin has moved there Alert state up 1 level it is similar to the US defcon measures, there are 2 more to go I believe before we need to contemplate a Nuclear attack.

You are probably right, however I genuinely think he is mad enough to actually launch a Nuke

[NewClaret]

FINALLY

****s about to get real then.

[gandhisflipflop]

Or just anyone suffering. Imagine your block of flats and home being completely written off by a big hole being blown in it!!!

I get that newclaret. It’s awful, just takes on extra significance and more sensitivity when kids are involved. Of course, it isn’t new to war just extremely sad.

[gandhisflipflop]

Edit - duplicate post.

[Cubanforever]

FINALLY

This is getting like a bad game of poker

[TheFamilyCat]

The threat of a nuclear attack scares the hell out of me.

Scary times ahead

You need a transfer window to take your mind off it.