Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Putin may be a psychopath, but the Russians aren't the cartoon demons that the west used to portray them as during the cold war.

Chernobyl was identified as a key asset because it's "in the way". It's near one of the key routes from Belarus to Kyiv, and the Russians will want to avoid any serious fighting from taking place near it in case the power plant is struck. So secure it, and move past it as soon as possible to keep any fighting away from it.

Nobody is stupid enough to fvck around with it.

Imagine a few years ago having so much pro Russian support being voiced by American politicians and media commentators. Well done agent Trump, he couldn't have done a better job for Putin. Managed to undermine their democratic system by claiming elections are rigged and cosying up to dictators like Putin and Kim while undermining NATO and falling out with western leaders.

"But no one has done more to hype Russia—and, by extension, been more indifferent to the people of Ukraine—than Fox News’s biggest star, Tucker Carlson. He has suggested that the invasion was the result of a mere “border dispute.” He has repeatedly echoed the Kremlin’s own talking points on the war, suggesting that the real issue was that Democrats don’t want Russia to succeed. ​​“Their one and only goal is to hold back the development of Russia,” Carlson said on Monday, while also suggesting that Ukraine was effectively a client state: “a colony with a puppet regime.”

Carlson further characterized Ukrainians as warmongers, desperate to fulfill a blood feud with Putin that will jeopardize American lives—a particularly spurious claim given that Russia has unambiguously been the aggressor and is currently bombing sites all over the country. All of these, as Insider pointed out earlier this week, are the exact same points Moscow is using to sell the invasion as a necessity—indeed, Carlson’s segments have already shown up in Russian propaganda.

Carlson really hit his stride on Tuesday, during one of his a typically stern-faced monologues. “It may be worth asking yourself, since it is getting pretty serious, what is this really about?” he asked, rhetorically. “Why do I hate Putin so much?” he continued. “Has Putin ever called me a racist? Has he threatened to get me fired for disagreeing with him?” To Carlson’s thinking, Putin’s cruelties can be dismissed as other people’s problems—or even assets: If Putin is against civil rights, social justice, and democracy, that makes him, broadly speaking, an ally."

Are you in the correct tread?

Ukraine government asking citizens to prepare petrol bombs to fight the Russians…. Puts things in perspective that people were freaking out here over mask wearing/ limits of people at a table in the pub.

Why would a country with 6,000 nuclear warheads and modern delivery systems require a big dirty bomb?

Chernobyl is on the shortest route from Belarus to Kiev.

Maybe a stupid idea, but why can't "allies" just send in a bunch of painted unmarked bombers and bomb the **** out of those tank columns?

Did they not used to have nuclear weapons? Sort of failed themselves, they old adage "it is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war" is apt.

Pretty sure it was when he floated the idea that the US would not defend its NATO allies (including the baltics which are outside of that German request).

Scary isn't it.

Although they say nuclear weapons are meant to be a deterrent. You nuke me and I'll nuke you. Problem with that is its just a belief. Anything can happen.

I think the splits in the GOP are being very starkly exposed here.

You have hawks calling Biden 'weak' (which is outrageous given that the traditional approach was to always back the president in foreign policy at times like this) and demanding further and harsher actions against Russia. Then you have the headbangers, including former President Trump, who are frankly all over the place and totally lacking in coherence.

Putin's greater concern was with Europe, as expected Germany and a few more are delivering for him and the sanctions that could really hurt are being blocked.

Russia has long isolated itself from America.

The more I think about this the more I think the powers in Europe need to get involved in this. I never thought Putin would be stupid or crazy enough to go into Ukraine like this. Couple that with his greater Russia ramblings over the last couple of years it's obvious to me that none of the former Warsaw pact countries are safe. We'll be up against the same shite again.

A large bulk of Russian armour is now exposed on the plains of Ukraine. NATO needs to provide air cover and send in A10s and attack helicopters and destroy them.