Russia - threadbanned users in OP

There's a get out jail card here surely for Putin, who may be never have intended to go this far, and to save face in the process. And that is a peace agreement with Ukrain, brokered by China, appearing as the peacemakers, with the condition that Ukraine never join Nato. Putin gets to make his point and gets to keep some of east Ukrain in the process. Ukraine and the west would probably be willing signatories at this stage, and China keeps access to western markets. Otherwise it's curtains for Russia's economy and China would never give up access to western markets to support a mere $1.578 trillion economy that is Russia (not even 5 times that of little old Ireland's).

They are using aircraft and drones we've have been tracking them.

And no they wouldn't need thousands of special forces on the ground , Syria and Afghanistan are huge and special forces were deployed in small operating bases ,

More superb broadcasting from the Ukrainians. You really have to take your hat off to them.

Yes you are trying to excuse it, you've done nothing but that since you activated this account recently. As men, women and children are being shelled and butchered by Russian forces invading Ukraine you are focusing in on some bullshit PR exercise in a thinly veiled pretense at being "balanced" here

Here's a video for you (there are many like this, it will never be shown in Russia) Warning NSFW. This is one of the milder ones

Yeah and you're right but these kind of images will be all around Russian TV. The Americans were doing the same thing in Afghanistan and Iraq and they called it the battle for 'hearts and minds'. Its will play well for Ukranians to an extent, but it's mostly for the people back home to support the 'special operational, as they call it.

Scoff at it if you like but it's as important in the propaganda war for Russians as any of the violent images thst we've seen which have boiled our blood or the compassionate images which melted our hearts.

I am just watching the BBC news here showing trains full of refugees arriving in Berlin, and the overwhelming generous reception they are getting.

The concourse was full of German host families holding up signs offering accommodation so much so they were outnumbering the refugees.

The sheer humanity and decency of the German people is really heartwarming and quite emotional to witness.

Such a stark contrast to the sheer brutality from the Russians.

Is there anything to protect Moldova from Russian invasion if it becomes part of the EU?

Not really no. It's seems to me it's more symbolic than anything, it means they are hitching their wagon to the EU, no ambiguity. Makes it harder for Putin to play his propaganda games down the line. Even if they don't get accepted, it's a smart move considering the current atmosphere.

They have figured out things before, in 1917 and 1989, takes them a long time, but seems to get through.

Putin has coincided with Russian prosperity, so he's ridden that wave. Now he'll be residing over a declining economy and global pariah, he might find he's not so popular. The more draconian he has to get, the more propaganda he has to spew out, the more obvious it should become to average Russians. We'll see.

Reports of a large explosion in Kyiv. No further details yet.

I think China are just going to stand aside and let him hang himself. It's beneficial for their regard.

It is also their test ground for what they may see if they invade Taiwan.