It’s kicking off

Russian police arrest over 1000 protesters

Alexei Navalny, has been poisoned and arrested and still had this documentary released 

His wife has been arrested as well. 

Some serious minerals on this chap 

Edited February 27, 20224 yr by Rudy

5 minutes ago, Marc505 said:

Yep, and there's absolutely no question that "free" elections in each of these newly "independent" territories will be heavily leaned on by Russia to ensure they get a favourable leader in.

Putin's chat on telly tonight, fucking hell.

You can see it said over and over by regular people on the news or social media or a football forum about how he wants to be seen as the man who restored Russia's greatness after their shame during the 90s, but to see him himself actually coming out with rhetoric about Russia being robbed by the breakup of the Soviet Union just says all you need to know. The guy belongs in the 70s and 80s.

Legacy.

Broken record, I know, but he’s wanted a legacy since day one. To a dyed in the wool Soviet like him, this is the only legacy that counts.

Im only surprised that flag next to him doesn’t have a hammer and sickle on it.

He’s all but directly quoting Stalin.

5 minutes ago, Spider said:

Legacy.

Broken record, I know, but he’s wanted a legacy since day one. To a dyed in the wool Soviet like him, this is the only legacy that counts.

Im only surprised that flag next to him doesn’t have a hammer and sickle on it.

He’s all but directly quoting Stalin.

I'm watching the reaction on RT, interesting to see it analysed from the other side (although still sounds like a load of shit to me). Bird in the news studio says they've been sent photos of people in Donetsk watching Putin's address and have got the champagne out.

They're now carrying live scenes of people celebrating the news in Ukraine. There's about 5 people there ffs.

3 minutes ago, Marc505 said:

I'm watching the reaction on RT, interesting to see it analysed from the other side (although still sounds like a load of shit to me). Bird in the news studio says they've been sent photos of people in Donetsk watching Putin's address and have got the champagne out.

They're now carrying live scenes of people celebrating the news in Ukraine. There's about 5 people there ffs.

Yeah very interesting watching RT's take on it. You have to wonder how much of this the Russian public are taking in? Or whether they're savvy enough to read between the lines?

5 minutes ago, kent_white said:

Yeah very interesting watching RT's take on it. You have to wonder how much of this the Russian public are taking in? Or whether they're savvy enough to read between the lines?

I've had to switch it off it's a bit much. I know the exact same accusations could be thrown at BBC but it's pure propaganda this, talking about "endless NATO drills" and NATO creating new bases etc. NATO are on exercises all the time, no mention of the 150,000 Russian troops on Ukraines border and the massive live fire exercise they've just concluded with Belarus.

These scenes of celebration are absolutely laughable how can she say that with a straight face? There's more who follow MK away.

Edited February 21, 20224 yr by Marc505

7 minutes ago, Marc505 said:

I've had to switch it off it's a bit much. I know the exact same accusations could be thrown at BBC but it's pure propaganda this, talking about "endless NATO drills" and NATO creating new bases etc. NATO are on exercises all the time, no mention of the 150,000 Russian troops on Ukraines border and the massive live fire exercise they've just concluded with Belarus.

These scenes of celebration are absolutely laughable how can she say that with a straight face? There's more who follow MK away.

I think with the BBC there's at least the pretence of trying to offer a Russian perspective. 

RT must be taken off air.

Keeps getting mentioned in the house of commons but doesn't get blocked.

It's a farce.

As for the action- still not convinced a full scale invasion is on the cards. The "recognition" of the areas to the east may well be the pretext to a land grab, and subsequent buffer zone between Russia and the west.

1 hour ago, Marc505 said:

Recognising regions of Ukraine as independent so Russia can go in and "liberate" them from Ukrainian oppression.

Make your attack look like defence, and everyone else is the aggressor.

Does this mean we'd see more of less of Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League?

1 minute ago, Zico said:

Does this mean we'd see more of less of Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League?

They’ll be called CSKA Donetsk now

7 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

As for the action- still not convinced a full scale invasion is on the cards. The "recognition" of the areas to the east may well be the pretext to a land grab, and subsequent buffer zone between Russia and the west.

On what are you basing this?

5 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

As for the action- still not convinced a full scale invasion is on the cards. The "recognition" of the areas to the east may well be the pretext to a land grab, and subsequent buffer zone between Russia and the west.

Those independent states will now ask for Russian assistance to defend themselves.

There may not be many shots fired, but the invasion is all but complete now.

2 minutes ago, Spider said:

Those independent states will now ask for Russian assistance to defend themselves.

There may not be many shots fired, but the invasion is all but complete now.

wrong Thread 

Edited February 21, 20224 yr by Rudy

12 minutes ago, Zico said:

Does this mean we'd see more of less of Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League?

More but they might be playing in Germany for home games! 

Still hard to believe that the very stadium England beat Ukraine in Euro 2012 was half destroyed by the end of 2014

Edited February 21, 20224 yr by Marc505
Years screwed

6 minutes ago, Rudy said:

I’ve been on very important manoeuvres

7 minutes ago, Spider said:

I’ve been on very important manoeuvres

Not you, the new independent Russians

1 minute ago, Rudy said:

Not you, the new independent Russians

Mine were better

Putin is an absolute crackpot. There is no chance he is backing down now. We have to react with hard economic sanctions and bans in sport for all Russian competitors. The difficulty is presenting a united front from the west and further problems in neighbouring countries like Poland, Estonia, etc.

11 minutes ago, Farrelli said:

Putin is an absolute crackpot. There is no chance he is backing down now. We have to react with hard economic sanctions and bans in sport for all Russian competitors. The difficulty is presenting a united front from the west and further problems in neighbouring countries like Poland, Estonia, etc.

He’ll now go on a charm offensive with “Russians” in every former Soviet state.

”Look what you can have”

He doesn’t give a fuck about footballers, figure skaters and Oligarchs.

He gets bummed at night by Nigerian minders, his favourite film is 'Maid in Manhattan' - he's queer and shits himself because his ringer is kaput - if he sends Russians into anywhere they'll give up immediately and be eating eggs and shagging any spare Ukraine girls - they'll fuck that pufter off at the toss of a helmet.

11 minutes ago, Spider said:

He’ll now go on a charm offensive with “Russians” in every former Soviet state.

”Look what you can have”

He doesn’t give a fuck about footballers, figure skaters and Oligarchs.

No he doesn’t care but when sports people defect it makes headlines. The losers are the ordinary Russian people who I feel very sorry for but what else can be done? Hard economic sanctions will weaken his position even though he will snuff out any opposition. 

The time is approaching, fucking horrible.

2 minutes ago, Marc505 said:

The time is approaching, fucking horrible.

Aye, desperate.

Edited February 21, 20224 yr by Farrelli

Just posturing, lads.

 

52 minutes ago, Morizio said:

On what are you basing this?

My view. 

If a full invasion of the whole country was planned, they could have done it much sooner, giving less time for Ukraine etc to prepare. They have had many troops and lots of equipment there for some time and could have brought in air defence systems etc sooner.

Additionally, a full scale war would yield many casualties on the Russian side, and irrespective of whatever efforts were made to suppress them, the they stories would emerge from the families.

Putin isn't as popular as he once was, and is regarded as weaker at home than before. In addition reports repeatedly state their isn't a great deal of desire amongst the Russians in general for a conflict, particularly one against a group of people with close connections. 

Chuck in economic factors too.

These factors have been reported on for some time, and when looked at in the round, do cast some doubt over a full scale war.

A recent article on the bbc about it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60468264

Of course it could be wrong, and other reports may say differently. 

It seems to make more sense to swallow up tracts of land that is already "half in" with a fair degree of Russian support, which would yield fewer casualties and could he presented the the people as an easy victory.