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

[Chris.B]

UK's show of force to Putin - photos show missiles being loaded onto Navy sub in Gibraltar

NEW PHOTOS show missiles being loaded onto HMS Audacious, Britain's most powerful nuclear submarine.

The attack submarine is currently docked in Gibraltar, having arrived there on Saturday afternoon. It is one of the Royal Navy's Astute-Class powered submarines, which are among the most sophisticated underwater vehicles ever constructed. The new submarines are gradually replacing those of the Trafalgar-Class, which have been in service for almost four decades.

 

 

 

Daily Express

 

Edited April 19, 2022 by metisdead
Edited as per fair use policy.

[Jingthing]

Much much more than a local scuffle:

 

Francis Fukuyama on Putin, Trump and why Ukraine is key to saving liberal democracy | Salon.com

 

 

[SunnyinBangrak]

Finally a voice of reason and logic. In the vacuum of US leadership this comes at a crucial time. Hopefully his wise words will be listened to and acted upon. 

 

“It doesn’t make sense that Russia and Ukraine aren’t sitting down and working out some kind of an agreement. If they don’t do it soon, there will be nothing left but death, destruction, and carnage. This is a war that never should have happened, but it did. The solution can never be as good as it would have been before the shooting started, but there is a solution, and it should be figured out now—not later—when everyone will be DEAD!” President Donald Trump

https://thehill.com/policy/international/3272341-trump-calls-for-russia-and-ukraine-to-reach-agreement-to-end-war/

 

 Well said sir. I agree the solution here is peace, not ever ratchetting up the tension by constant propaganda and arming one side and effectively leading us inevitably to full on WW3 and the extinction of humanity and life on earth. Clearly if an able person was President he/she would have been able to broker a deal - moreso if the art of the deal was in their blood.

[Bkk Brian]

Well this looks good. The report is from a tabloid but looks pretty convincing. Major threat to Russian helicopters and low-flying jets. 

 

Boris Johnson to hand Stormer armoured missile launchers to Ukraine to unleash hell on Putin’s army

 

Sources say the MoD showed off the Stormers’ punch to Ukrainians at a display on Salisbury Plain two weeks ago.

The 13-ton, high-tech launchers can be loaded on to C-17 transport planes and flown to the war in days.

They only need a crew of three — a driver, commander and gunner.

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18298762/boris-johnson-missile-launchers-ukraine-war/

[SunnyinBangrak]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Well this looks good. The report is from a tabloid but looks pretty convincing. Major threat to Russian helicopters and low-flying jets. 

 

Boris Johnson to hand Stormer armoured missile launchers to Ukraine to unleash hell on Putin’s army

 

Sources say the MoD showed off the Stormers’ punch to Ukrainians at a display on Salisbury Plain two weeks ago.

The 13-ton, high-tech launchers can be loaded on to C-17 transport planes and flown to the war in days.

They only need a crew of three — a driver, commander and gunner.

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18298762/boris-johnson-missile-launchers-ukraine-war/

I am wondering whether Boris is prepared to have Russia attack the UK? I guess he is not. But by joining in the Ukraine/Russia conflict he has made the UK a legitimate target. Time to get out of big cities IMO, Putin is no soft touch.

[Bkk Brian]

8 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I am wondering whether Boris is prepared to have Russia attack the UK? I guess he is not. But by joining in the Ukraine/Russia conflict he has made the UK a legitimate target. Time to get out of big cities IMO, Putin is no soft touch.

In your opinion being the operative phrase

[SunnyinBangrak]

Just now, Bkk Brian said:

In your opinion being the operative phrase

My opinion is irrelevant. Putin's opinion is what matters. He has already stated that other nations arming Ukraine and interfering would be construed as them joining the war = being legitimate targets. I am not sure the soft and spoiled new generations in the west are prepared for a wake up call from Russia.

[heybruce]

12 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I am wondering whether Boris is prepared to have Russia attack the UK? I guess he is not. But by joining in the Ukraine/Russia conflict he has made the UK a legitimate target. Time to get out of big cities IMO, Putin is no soft touch.

Let me guess:  You think the world should give in to Putin's nuclear blackmail and abandon Ukraine to its fate. 

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

My opinion is irrelevant. Putin's opinion is what matters. He has already stated that other nations arming Ukraine and interfering would be construed as them joining the war = being legitimate targets. I am not sure the soft and spoiled new generations in the west are prepared for a wake up call from Russia.

You're right, your opinion is irrelevant to me as well.

[Bkk Brian]

US State Department looking at possibly labeling Russia a state sponsor of terrorism

 

The definition of a state sponsor of terrorism is a country that has “repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism,” according to the State Department. There are only four countries that are currently labeled state sponsors of terrorism by the US: North Korea, Iran, Cuba and Syria.

 

https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-new-04-18-22/h_379c2d3bc66d542de9433f5de32fc712

[Bkk Brian]

How to spot a Russian troll or apologist.

 

They like to claim they are on the fence, objective and seeing things from both sides yet always sneak in misinformation based on Russian propaganda. Their mission is to sow doubt and are easily spotted be that in forums, twitter or the likes of facebook, telegram.

 

How a Sleazy American Dating Coach Became a Pro-Putin Shill in Ukraine

 

an American who’s lived in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv for years and was in Kyiv at the start of the offensive, wrote in a recent post, “trying to be as balanced and factually accurate as I can be.”

 

Lira has portrayed the Russian assault as provoked—and as “one of the most brilliant invasions in military history.” He has insisted that the invaders don’t want to harm civilians or civilian infrastructure and are in fact taking pains not to, that the Russian advance has not stalled but is in fact right on course

 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/gonzalo-lira-is-a-pro-putin-shill-in-ukraine-and-a-sleazy-manosphere-dating-coach

[Rimmer]

Off topic posts hijacking the topice have been removed also replies, topic is not about Trump,  Biden's catastrophic bail-out from Afghanistan, N Korea or the Taliban

 

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

[coolcarer]

49 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

My opinion is irrelevant. Putin's opinion is what matters. He has already stated that other nations arming Ukraine and interfering would be construed as them joining the war = being legitimate targets. I am not sure the soft and spoiled new generations in the west are prepared for a wake up call from Russia.

No he didn’t, Putin warned of unpredictable consequences if the US and NATO keeps arming Ukraine. That is not the same as a declaration of war. actually a declaration of war has not even been admitted to in Ukraine. 
 

Pity Putin never thought about the consequences before his invasion that has not gone well for him.

Edited April 19, 2022 by coolcarer

[heybruce]

1 hour ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Finally a voice of reason and logic. In the vacuum of US leadership this comes at a crucial time. Hopefully his wise words will be listened to and acted upon. 

 

“It doesn’t make sense that Russia and Ukraine aren’t sitting down and working out some kind of an agreement. If they don’t do it soon, there will be nothing left but death, destruction, and carnage. This is a war that never should have happened, but it did. The solution can never be as good as it would have been before the shooting started, but there is a solution, and it should be figured out now—not later—when everyone will be DEAD!” President Donald Trump

https://thehill.com/policy/international/3272341-trump-calls-for-russia-and-ukraine-to-reach-agreement-to-end-war/

 

 Well said sir. I agree the solution here is peace, not ever ratchetting up the tension by constant propaganda and arming one side and effectively leading us inevitably to full on WW3 and the extinction of humanity and life on earth. Clearly if an able person was President he/she would have been able to broker a deal - moreso if the art of the deal was in their blood.

Trump wants peace talks.  Wow, why didn't somebody think of this before?  Oh wait, they did.  In fact Zelensky is willing, Putin is not.  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-flies-into-russian-far-east-ukraine-talks-with-belarusian-leader-2022-04-12/  Perhaps Trump could call his buddy Vlad and tell him to get serious about peace.

 

However Putin will not get serious about peace until Ukraine is crushed into non-existence, or Russia's military is fought to a standstill.  I prefer the latter.

 

The threat of WW 3 has existed for over 60 years.  The threat did not disappear with the fall of the Soviet Union, it was still there.  World War 3 has not been prevented by caving in to nuclear blackmail, it has been prevented by making it clear that if one side starts firing nukes, both sides will lose.  It's a horrible deterrence, but it works.

Edited April 19, 2022 by heybruce

[Jingthing]

54 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

My opinion is irrelevant. Putin's opinion is what matters. He has already stated that other nations arming Ukraine and interfering would be construed as them joining the war = being legitimate targets. I am not sure the soft and spoiled new generations in the west are prepared for a wake up call from Russia.

You sure do show an awful lot of undeserved  respect to a liddle Russian war criminal. If the west cowers every time it barks, the west and indeed democracy is finished. 

[heybruce]

1 hour ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

My opinion is irrelevant. Putin's opinion is what matters. He has already stated that other nations arming Ukraine and interfering would be construed as them joining the war = being legitimate targets. I am not sure the soft and spoiled new generations in the west are prepared for a wake up call from Russia.

"I am not sure the soft and spoiled new generations in the west are prepared for a wake up call from Russia."

 

While Russia's military has shown itself to be....embarrassingly incompetent.

 

BTW:  Do you want American leadership, or American capitulation?

Edited April 19, 2022 by heybruce

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, heybruce said:

Trump wants peace talks.  Wow, why didn't somebody think of this before?  Oh wait, they did.  In fact Zelensky is willing, Putin is not.  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-flies-into-russian-far-east-ukraine-talks-with-belarusian-leader-2022-04-12/  Perhaps Trump could call his buddy Vlad and tell him to get serious about peace.

 

However Putin will not get serious about peace until Ukraine is crushed into non-existence, or Russia's military is fought to a standstill.  I prefer the latter.

 

The threat of WW 3 has existed for over 60 years.  The war has not been prevented by caving in to nuclear blackmail, it has been prevented by making it clear that if one side starts firing nukes, both sides will lose.  It's a horrible deterrence, but it works.

He's just telegraphing more of the trumpist narrative. I alone can fix it. Trump cares only about his own personal power in this case getting it back just like his curiously good buddy Putin who is struggling to keep it. Taking war advice from that insurrectionist is laughable.

[Chomper Higgot]

22 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

I don't have a expert opinion on wars all I will say is Ukraine is getting slaughtered and if weapons or western involvement is not given the western & south parts of Ukraine will be occupied and it will turn into a conflict that will go on for years to come. 

 

Ukraine surrendering and the present government. leaving the country does not seem to be what Ukraine will do under any circumstances.

Why would a Ukrainian surrender to an enemy that is raping and murdering Ukrainians?

 

Pause to think about that before responding.

 

[Bkk Brian]

BREAKING: Italy's parliament supports arms supplies to Ukraine

 

The U.S. has expanded intelligence sharing with Ukraine about Russian troops in the Donbas region.

 

The information could allow the Ukrainians to conduct more effective counterattacks against Russian forces in the Donbas or Crimea, or better predict the movement of Russian troops from those areas against Ukrainian forces.

 

Kathleen H. Hicks, the deputy secretary of defense, said that “the intelligence support that we have provided has been vital.” And she said the information given to Ukraine had been “high end.”

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/13/world/europe/us-russian-troops-donbas-intelligence-sharing-ukraine.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20220414033301/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/13/world/europe/us-russian-troops-donbas-intelligence-sharing-ukraine.html

 

This would help a lot as currently their hands are tied with the Russian veto.

 

UN to debate move to limit veto power of Security Council permanent members

 

Liechtenstein is to convene the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to debate a draft resolution -- backed by Washington -- requiring the five permanent members of the Security Council to justify their use of the veto.

An old idea aimed at making Security Council permanent members cut back use of their veto powers, it has been revived by Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow's veto power has allowed it to paralyze action in the Security Council, which is supposed to intervene in such conflicts as guarantor of global peace, as defined by the Charter of the United Nations.

 

[Berkshire]

2 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Finally a voice of reason and logic. In the vacuum of US leadership this comes at a crucial time. Hopefully his wise words will be listened to and acted upon. 

 

“It doesn’t make sense that Russia and Ukraine aren’t sitting down and working out some kind of an agreement. If they don’t do it soon, there will be nothing left but death, destruction, and carnage. This is a war that never should have happened, but it did. The solution can never be as good as it would have been before the shooting started, but there is a solution, and it should be figured out now—not later—when everyone will be DEAD!” President Donald Trump

https://thehill.com/policy/international/3272341-trump-calls-for-russia-and-ukraine-to-reach-agreement-to-end-war/

 

 Well said sir. I agree the solution here is peace, not ever ratchetting up the tension by constant propaganda and arming one side and effectively leading us inevitably to full on WW3 and the extinction of humanity and life on earth. Clearly if an able person was President he/she would have been able to broker a deal - moreso if the art of the deal was in their blood.

And your idea of a "deal" is to give Putin what he wants so he would stop the killing?  It would be like Russia invading the USA and then saying "Ok, we'll stop the invasion if you give us Alaska."  No self-respecting American--or Ukrainian--would accept such a "deal."  It would also be a signal to other authoritarian regimes that aggression is rewarded.  China is listening.  So is N. Korea.

[tgw]

64th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade

The 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade (Military Unit Number 51460) is a motorized infantry brigade of the Russian Ground Forces.

 

Quote

The Ukrainian government claims that the brigade is responsible for the Bucha massacre in March, where bodies were found mutilated and burnt, and girls as young as fourteen reported being raped. Ukraine's Ministry of Defense stated that it knew the names and other personal information of several soldiers tied to the brigade.

Shortly afterward, on 18 April 2022, the brigade received the honorary ‘guards’ status from Russian president Vladimir Putin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64th_Guards_Motor_Rifle_Brigade

 

Vlad's message to Russian troops : rape, murder civilians, pillage and get rewarded !

Edited April 19, 2022 by tgw

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Finally a voice of reason and logic. In the vacuum of US leadership this comes at a crucial time. Hopefully his wise words will be listened to and acted upon. 

 

“It doesn’t make sense that Russia and Ukraine aren’t sitting down and working out some kind of an agreement. If they don’t do it soon, there will be nothing left but death, destruction, and carnage. This is a war that never should have happened, but it did. The solution can never be as good as it would have been before the shooting started, but there is a solution, and it should be figured out now—not later—when everyone will be DEAD!” President Donald Trump

https://thehill.com/policy/international/3272341-trump-calls-for-russia-and-ukraine-to-reach-agreement-to-end-war/

 

 Well said sir. I agree the solution here is peace, not ever ratchetting up the tension by constant propaganda and arming one side and effectively leading us inevitably to full on WW3 and the extinction of humanity and life on earth. Clearly if an able person was President he/she would have been able to broker a deal - moreso if the art of the deal was in their blood.

I take it Putin wants to negotiate.

[Jingthing]

26 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I take it Putin wants to negotiate.

Yes he'll consider entertaining total surrender.

[Kwasaki]

3 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Finally a voice of reason and logic. In the vacuum of US leadership this comes at a crucial time. Hopefully his wise words will be listened to and acted upon. 

 

“It doesn’t make sense that Russia and Ukraine aren’t sitting down and working out some kind of an agreement. If they don’t do it soon, there will be nothing left but death, destruction, and carnage. This is a war that never should have happened, but it did. The solution can never be as good as it would have been before the shooting started, but there is a solution, and it should be figured out now—not later—when everyone will be DEAD!” President Donald Trump

https://thehill.com/policy/international/3272341-trump-calls-for-russia-and-ukraine-to-reach-agreement-to-end-war/

 

 Well said sir. I agree the solution here is peace, not ever ratchetting up the tension by constant propaganda and arming one side and effectively leading us inevitably to full on WW3 and the extinction of humanity and life on earth. Clearly if an able person was President he/she would have been able to broker a deal - moreso if the art of the deal was in their blood.

If only it was as simple as he makes out, the problem is war has started, how it finishes no-one knows. 

[Virt]

2 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

My opinion is irrelevant. Putin's opinion is what matters. He has already stated that other nations arming Ukraine and interfering would be construed as them joining the war = being legitimate targets. I am not sure the soft and spoiled new generations in the west are prepared for a wake up call from Russia.

Well we got this thing called NATO and if a Russian bomb drop on my head here in Europe, i die, but Russia would be flattened in a war against NATO so i highly doubt Russia will drop bombs in NATO countries.

 

And if they do.

Then it's just to bad for us all 

[rudi49jr]

Putin honors army unit accused of Bucha killings:

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/04/18/putin-honors-army-unit-accused-of-bucha-killings/

 

“Putin on Monday signed a decree praising the brigade for “mass heroism and valour, tenacity and courage,” according to Agence France Presse.”
 

 

[Jingthing]

37 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

Putin honors army unit accused of Bucha killings:

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/04/18/putin-honors-army-unit-accused-of-bucha-killings/

 

“Putin on Monday signed a decree praising the brigade for “mass heroism and valour, tenacity and courage,” according to Agence France Presse.”
 

 

At least he's unambiguous and consistent with his totally evil branding.

[rudi49jr]

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

At least he's unambiguous and consistent with his totally evil branding.

Totally agree. Like I said in previous posts, there are no lows that Putin/Russia won’t stoop to, and shame is not a word that you will find in their dictionary.

[Bkk Brian]

Here's a brave man who is putting words into action: ????????

 

"I'm done talking"

 

@MalcolmNance has just revealed that he’s in UA & has joined the Ukrainian Foreign Legion to fight the Russian Army. Nance is an author and media pundit on terrorism & intelligence, He’s a former U.S Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer specializing in naval cryptology.

 

 

MSNBC Analyst Malcolm Nance Has Joined Ukrainian International Legion to Fight Russia

 

“The more I saw of the war going on, the more I thought, ‘I’m done talking, all right? It’s time to take action here,’ so about a month ago, I joined the international legion here in Ukraine, and I am here to help this country fight, you know, what essentially is a war of extermination,” he continued, “This is an existential war and Russia has brought it to these people and they are mass murdering civilians, and there are people here like me who are here to do something about it.”

 

 

[Berkshire]

4 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

Totally agree. Like I said in previous posts, there are no lows that Putin/Russia won’t stoop to, and shame is not a word that you will find in their dictionary.

As this war drags on, I'm starting to wonder if the US/NATO position of no direct engagement is a wise tactic.  This fear of Putin "potentially employing nukes" just seems to paralyze allies of the Ukraine.  And knowing Putin, the guy will do anything he can get away with.  He seems to be getting away with quite a lot. 

 

For example, the no-fly zone.  Some general on CNN had mentioned that if a no-fly zone was employed and a US jet was to shoot down a Russian jet, what's Russia going to do about it?  Attack the US?  I don't think so.  Anyways, we just have to wait and see what the US/NATO leadership decides to do as the war atrocities keep piling up.