Assault on Kiev: Russian helicopters swoop above Ukraine's capital

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, heybruce said:

Unfortunately it takes years to build the facilities for receiving and processing liquefied natural gas.  However once built Europe will never again be dependent upon Russia for energy supplies.  That means Putin will have destroyed Russia's greatest economic and military lever on Europe.  Russia will become more of a second rate power hopelessly dependent on China.  I'm sure China loves this.

and if not dependent on Russia, on which nation(s) will it be dependent? Who has all the oil and gas?

Could be exchanging one problem for another.

Perhaps Europe could accept reality and go back to coal, of which there is plenty, or nuclear. France of course has a flourishing nuclear power industry. IMO they must be laughing at Germany that apparently abandoned it's nuclear power option. How is that working out?

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, heybruce said:

Unfortunately it takes years to build the facilities for receiving and processing liquefied natural gas.  However once built Europe will never again be dependent upon Russia for energy supplies.  That means Putin will have destroyed Russia's greatest economic and military lever on Europe.  Russia will become more of a second rate power hopelessly dependent on China.  I'm sure China loves this.

No it does not.

 

under normal circumstances it takes years secure funding, clear building and environmental regulations, to procure the equipment, vessels and piping. 
Construction and commissioning takes a few months.

 

These are not normal circumstances.

 

Funding is a matter of a government signature.

 

EU Environmental regulations have a specific clause permitting governments to bypass all the regulations on the grounds of national security or to safeguard national infrastructure/the supply of strategic resources.

So regulation is not an issue.

 

Vessels, equipment and piping are a available from ongoing O&G projects, they can be redirected.

 

The main gas distribution networks already exist, gas terminals already exist.

 

To receive gas shipments these need to be modified, not completely built.

 

All this is already in process.

 

 

Edited April 10, 2022 by Chomper Higgot

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

and if not dependent on Russia, on which nation(s) will it be dependent? Who has all the oil and gas?

Could be exchanging one problem for another.

Perhaps Europe could accept reality and go back to coal, of which there is plenty, or nuclear. France of course has a flourishing nuclear power industry. IMO they must be laughing at Germany that apparently abandoned it's nuclear power option. How is that working out?

Perhaps you should accept reality, the energy market has moved on from coal and nobody has decommissioned the nuclear power plants tgey already have.

 

Although Russia did attack one with artillery.

Edited April 10, 2022 by Chomper Higgot

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Fast track for a nation in the midst of war, so presumably the EU would need to become militarily engaged- what could possibly go wrong with that?

As the EU is in NATO then the US would probably have to become involved- what could possibly go wrong with that?

This isn't sleepwalking to WW3 IMO, it's running full tilt into it.

 

Never mind, I'm sure Ms von der Leyen has a spot in a nuclear shelter for when it does all go wrong.

The choices NATO and wester European nations have before them are presented because of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

 

They are the ‘what could go wrong’ in Putin’s orders.

 

The question is muted by Putin’s aggression but still relevant to appeasers and his apologists.

[metisdead]

A post with a personal attack to another member has been removed as well as the replies. 

[ballpoint]

Gordon talking sense for once:

 

[ozimoron]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Fast track for a nation in the midst of war, so presumably the EU would need to become militarily engaged- what could possibly go wrong with that?

As the EU is in NATO then the US would probably have to become involved- what could possibly go wrong with that?

This isn't sleepwalking to WW3 IMO, it's running full tilt into it.

 

Never mind, I'm sure Ms von der Leyen has a spot in a nuclear shelter for when it does all go wrong.

They've obviously thought about it. They no doubt consider the downside to Russia holding Europe to ransom over food supplies and the many other natural resources that Ukraine has to be greater risk than Russia falling off the turnip truck and attacking Europe when Ukraine joins the EU. Otherwise they simply wouldn't be offering EU membership. Cowering in fear forever from the threat of Russia going rogue and starting WW3 is probably not something that the EU is willing to endure.

[ozimoron]

Russia has made a “massive strategic blunder” as Finland and Sweden look poised to join Nato as early as the summer,

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/finland-sweden-set-to-join-nato-war-ukraine-latest-7m8bn6mf8

 

 

[ozimoron]

Russia has tapped a new Ukraine war commander to take centralized control of the next phase of battle after its costly failures in the opening campaign and carnage for Ukrainian civilians. U.S. officials don’t see one man making a difference in Moscow’s prospects.

Russia turned to Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, 60, one of Russia’s most experienced military officers and — according to U.S. officials — a general with a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other war theaters.

 

https://apnews.com/article/russia-appoints-new-ukraine-war-commander-dvornikov-225f976f9abfb5aff6154ac3b77c21e6

[Bkk Brian]

52 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Russia has tapped a new Ukraine war commander to take centralized control of the next phase of battle after its costly failures in the opening campaign and carnage for Ukrainian civilians. U.S. officials don’t see one man making a difference in Moscow’s prospects.

Russia turned to Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, 60, one of Russia’s most experienced military officers and — according to U.S. officials — a general with a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other war theaters.

 

https://apnews.com/article/russia-appoints-new-ukraine-war-commander-dvornikov-225f976f9abfb5aff6154ac3b77c21e6

Also known as the butcher of Syria

 

“Captain General Aleksandr Dvornikov has been dubbed as the 'Butcher of Syria'” Was in command in Syria when chemical weapons were used and cities were destroyed He is also believed to be behind the recent rail station strike that killed and wounded a number of civilians

[heybruce]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

and if not dependent on Russia, on which nation(s) will it be dependent? Who has all the oil and gas?

Could be exchanging one problem for another.

Perhaps Europe could accept reality and go back to coal, of which there is plenty, or nuclear. France of course has a flourishing nuclear power industry. IMO they must be laughing at Germany that apparently abandoned it's nuclear power option. How is that working out?

You really should make an effort to become better informed before you post.  I should have pointed that out when you made it clear you were unaware of the risks Zelensky was taking by remaining in Kyiv with his family when Russia was attempting to encircle and capture the city.  Where do you get your news from?

 

Where could Europe get liquefied natural gas and petroleum?  There are fellow NATO members Canada and the US, along with Mid-East and north Africa countries.  Oil can also be purchased from Mexico and some countries in South America along with Nigeria.  I believe Australia is getting into the LNG business as well.  Having a diverse choice of suppliers is the best energy security any country can ask for.

Edited April 11, 2022 by heybruce

[heybruce]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No it does not.

 

under normal circumstances it takes years secure funding, clear building and environmental regulations, to procure the equipment, vessels and piping. 
Construction and commissioning takes a few months.

 

These are not normal circumstances.

 

Funding is a matter of a government signature.

 

EU Environmental regulations have a specific clause permitting governments to bypass all the regulations on the grounds of national security or to safeguard national infrastructure/the supply of strategic resources.

So regulation is not an issue.

 

Vessels, equipment and piping are a available from ongoing O&G projects, they can be redirected.

 

The main gas distribution networks already exist, gas terminals already exist.

 

To receive gas shipments these need to be modified, not completely built.

 

All this is already in process.

I wish that were true.  Building terminals to pump LNG from tankers and convert the liquid into a form that can be distributed through pipes to where it is needed is a major construction project.  Major construction projects take years even after all regulations have been met and permits acquired.  Can you cite an example of anything as massive as an LNG facility being built in months as opposed to years?

 

The existing distribution system in place across much of Europe was built to accommodate gas coming from Russia, not LNG facilities on Europe's Atlantic coast or from yet to be built facilities on the Baltic or Mediterranean Sea. 

 

I hope events prove me wrong, but I don't think they will.

[ozimoron]

Russia's use of war crimes as alleged military tactics appear to have been the tipping point for NATO nations, which have become increasingly willing to provide the sort of hard-hitting offensive weapons that the coalition had previously been refusing. The United Kingdom is now said to be providing new armored vehicles and possibly anti-ship missiles, though almost certainly not the Harpoon missiles that Ukraine lacks launch capabilities for. Lithuania will reportedly be training Ukrainian troops on the use of Western-produced gear, while the U.S. military is now publicly highlighting their efforts to train Ukrainian soldiers being provided with new Switchblade drones.

 

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/4/10/2091231/-Ukraine-update-Refugees-top-4-5-million-Russian-crimes-provoke-NATO-into-broader-weapons-transfers

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, ozimoron said:

Russia has tapped a new Ukraine war commander to take centralized control of the next phase of battle after its costly failures in the opening campaign and carnage for Ukrainian civilians. U.S. officials don’t see one man making a difference in Moscow’s prospects.

Russia turned to Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, 60, one of Russia’s most experienced military officers and — according to U.S. officials — a general with a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other war theaters.

 

https://apnews.com/article/russia-appoints-new-ukraine-war-commander-dvornikov-225f976f9abfb5aff6154ac3b77c21e6

Alex. D has been put in place to get a large part of Eastern Ukraine under Russian control by May the 9th is what is suggested on the news. 

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

Also known as the butcher of Syria

 

“Captain General Aleksandr Dvornikov has been dubbed as the 'Butcher of Syria'” Was in command in Syria when chemical weapons were used and cities were destroyed He is also believed to be behind the recent rail station strike that killed and wounded a number of civilians

Why isn't he at the Hague.

 

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by Kwasaki

[placeholder]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Fast track for a nation in the midst of war, so presumably the EU would need to become militarily engaged- what could possibly go wrong with that?

As the EU is in NATO then the US would probably have to become involved- what could possibly go wrong with that?

This isn't sleepwalking to WW3 IMO, it's running full tilt into it.

 

Never mind, I'm sure Ms von der Leyen has a spot in a nuclear shelter for when it does all go wrong.

Where does it say that the EU nations have to declare war in order to invoke the fast track regime? And the EU doesn't have the power to declare war. Apart from those quibbles, yours was a truly informative post.

Edited April 11, 2022 by placeholder

[JetsetBkk]

12 hours ago, Chris.B said:

risking his life in the middle of a war zone

  Please get back to reality.

[ozimoron]

Ramzan Kadyrov, the powerful head of Russia's republic of Chechnya, said early on Monday that there will be an offensive by Russian forces not only on the besieged port of Mariupol, but also on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

"There will be an offensive ... not only on Mariupol, but also on other places, cities and villages," Kadyrov said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.

"Luhansk and Donetsk - we will fully liberate in the first place ... and then take Kyiv and all other cities."

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/chechen-chief-kadyrov-says-russian-forces-will-take-kyiv-2022-04-11/

[Bkk Brian]

9 minutes ago, JetsetBkk said:

  Please get back to reality.

Pathetic response. His security and life are always in danger.

 

25th March

The British government has reported that the Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group, has been hired by Russia to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following Putin’s stalled invasion of Ukraine.

 

It can be remembered that the Russians had targeted Zelensky during the onset of the invasion, where Chechen special forces were released into Ukraine to hunt down Zelensky, his family, and their two children.

 

 

Russian mercenaries rarely give interviews. Little wonder. The secretive Wagner Group, an elite private army carrying out Vladimir Putin’s dirty work abroad, have murdered their way through missions in Syria, Libya, Mali and elsewhere before apparently being sent into Ukraine. These brutal special-forces veterans are now reported to have a “kill list” of assassination targets including Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko.

 

[sammieuk1]

6 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Ramzan Kadyrov, the powerful head of Russia's republic of Chechnya, said early on Monday that there will be an offensive by Russian forces not only on the besieged port of Mariupol, but also on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

"There will be an offensive ... not only on Mariupol, but also on other places, cities and villages," Kadyrov said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.

"Luhansk and Donetsk - we will fully liberate in the first place ... and then take Kyiv and all other cities."

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/chechen-chief-kadyrov-says-russian-forces-will-take-kyiv-2022-04-11/

Think many people would like to see this TikToker turn up in person to try ????

[Chris.B]

3 hours ago, JetsetBkk said:

  Please get back to reality.

back to reality....

 

"And even a Ukrainian MP urged Mr Biden to make the "bold move" by copying Mr Johnson's recent trip.

Kira Rudik told Fox News it would "really be a sign of solidarity".

She added Mr Johnson's appearance was "uplifting", "very motivational" and stressed "everybody admires Johnson"."

 

Daily Express

 

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by Chris.B

[tgw]

Russia moves children back into schools near the eastern frontline to serve as human shields

 

Ukrainian Government Ombudsman for Human Rights Lyudmyla Denisova said that the Russian forces are likely aiming to use children as human shields to complicate the liberation of this city in Donetsk Oblast.

 

https://www.facebook.com/denisovaombudsman/posts/519270306220913/

[Chris.B]

On 4/10/2022 at 12:32 PM, Chris.B said:

Well done Boris! 

 

Boris in Kiev

 

Look at how happy the Ukrainian civilian was to see Boris. Check ot 00:40. Genuine surprise followed by happiness.

 

[simple1]

5 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Pathetic response. His security and life are always in danger.

 

25th March

The British government has reported that the Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group, has been hired by Russia to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following Putin’s stalled invasion of Ukraine.

 

It can be remembered that the Russians had targeted Zelensky during the onset of the invasion, where Chechen special forces were released into Ukraine to hunt down Zelensky, his family, and their two children.

 

 

Russian mercenaries rarely give interviews. Little wonder. The secretive Wagner Group, an elite private army carrying out Vladimir Putin’s dirty work abroad, have murdered their way through missions in Syria, Libya, Mali and elsewhere before apparently being sent into Ukraine. These brutal special-forces veterans are now reported to have a “kill list” of assassination targets including Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko.

 

Putin's hypocrisy is astounding, Wagner Group is heavily influenced by neo Nazi ideology.

 

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-terrifying-neo-nazi-mercenaries-being-deployed-in-ukraine

 

There are numerous opinion pieces in the media, one claims Russian forces, will regain full control of the Donbas region in approx three weeks, with a land route to Crimea, at which point it is possible a peace agreement can be acheived. Whether the claim will reflect reality or is just pure fantasy, have to wait and see. Personally I cannot believe the Ukrainians will accept a peace agreement without access to southern port/s for trade.

[Kwasaki]

16 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Putin's hypocrisy is astounding, Wagner Group is heavily influenced by neo Nazi ideology.

 

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-terrifying-neo-nazi-mercenaries-being-deployed-in-ukraine

 

There are numerous opinion pieces in the media, one claims Russian forces, will regain full control of the Donbas region in approx three weeks, with a land route to Crimea, at which point it is possible a peace agreement can be acheived. Whether the claim will reflect reality or is just pure fantasy, have to wait and see. Personally I cannot believe the Ukrainians will accept a peace agreement without access to southern port/s for trade.

Russia doesn't care about what Ukraine will except in any peace agreements they are out for results by May the 9th as I have already posted. 

[Jingthing]

22 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Russia doesn't care about what Ukraine will except in any peace agreements they are out for results by May the 9th as I have already posted. 

Yes we know what war criminal Putin has announced but we don't know yet what the Russian positions will actually be in time for the announced propaganda party.

[Bkk Brian]

23 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Russia doesn't care about what Ukraine will except in any peace agreements they are out for results by May the 9th as I have already posted. 

TBH Ukraine doesn't care about Russia's annual victory day celebrations on 9th May and has no intention of being defeated in any way before then. Besides which I hear the Ukraine farmers now have one of the worlds largest tank regiments so there won't be much left for the Russians to display in red square apart from a few of its generals that have not been killed yet.

[Bkk Brian]

How the Russian propaganda fake fact check news sites can't even get do the most basic research. With the multiple war crimes revealed in Bucha the first uncovered was the civilian bodies in the roads some with their hands tied behind their backs.

 

Russian fact checkers are claiming that the satellite imagery company Maxar didn't have satellites in that area at the time so the photos are fake. To back up their claims they said that Maxar's archive at https://discover.digitalglobe.com/ has no trace for the 19th March in that area as claimed.

 

And they're right, on first glance it doesn't show March 19 imagery there. Why? Because they have failed to select the filter option of the range of nadir to show all available imagery. One clear look at the source site of @Maxar's archive (where they got their screenshot) shows that there is indeed March 19 imagery.

 

Full twitter thread with screenshot and links here

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

7 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Alex. D has been put in place to get a large part of Eastern Ukraine under Russian control by May the 9th is what is suggested on the news. 

Plan B.

[Chomper Higgot]

55 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Russia doesn't care about what Ukraine will except in any peace agreements they are out for results by May the 9th as I have already posted. 

They were out for Kiev last month.

 

How did that work out?