Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Unfortunately, if things escalate and the west gets involved, it doesn't end very well for anyone.

God, if this is true then the it seems that the writing on the wall, with regards to the Kremlin’s endgame…

We yield some of the highest in the world- sure the rainfall adds fungal diseases (you get different ones in drier climates too) and pressures from insects we wouldn’t have but it also makes us less vulnerable to droughts.

Barley and oats can be grown more widespread but we are definitely not in a bad place overall for grain production if it needs to increased- but fertiliser and input costs/availabity are going to be a big constraint

But no major cities, so not much control of anything. They can't even supply what they have captured so if they extend to half they'll really struggle to keep it and be at risk of being driven back. Don't forget how big the place is, Kharkiv-Lviv is over 1,000 km and even Kyiv-Lviv is 500km.

Would you stop peddling this nonsense. No-one, literally no-one, has said or is saying Ukraine can win a conventional war. The dogs in the street know this.

The Ukrainian plan is to hold fast and inflict crippling losses on Russia until they withdraw due to attrition, inability to continue logistically/financially, and crippling of their economy with escalating sanctions.

They're obviously not going to be launching big ground operations and grand counter-strokes and essentially throwing away resources when there's zero prospect of victory via that method.

The Russian invasion has gone as bad as it possibly could have, and worse than anyone would have predicted.

They also don't have anywhere near enough men to conquer Ukraine or to occupy big cities, let alone get involved into a meat grinder battle for those cities in the first place.

I don't know what their end-game is but it's not working. They can cut Ukraine "in half" on a map but they have nowhere near enough resources in the country to achieve anything meaningful on the ground.

Irelands agriculture pre conquest was largely based on livestock especially cattle. Crops grown tended to be small acerages and were mainly oats and barley as these were more suited to our soils and climate. Around the time of the Napoleonic wars there was a big increase in grain production. When the price of grain fell in subsequent years many landlords returned to livestock farming with tenant farmers being increasingly forced to rely on potatoes with a pig or similar to pay the rent. That obviously went pear shaped around the time potato blight hit Ireland and the main foodstuff was virtually wiped out in a couple of months.

Currently we have mainly a mix of farming types with Ireland ranked as the most food secure nation in the world.

https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/159325/global-food-security-index/

And whilst a diet solely based on foodstuffs produced here might be somewhat limited - no one will starve.

That's a very generous to the Russians . Look at a map and you will see that they have very little conquered.

I imagine he thinks it will end like this: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians killed, millions of refugees if they can escape, cities flattened, cultural artefacts ruined, and all for what? A few monuments in some other country dedicated to their bravery while Russia takes over anyway?

Yes it's heroic and brave but is it worth it? Look at Syria, the unspeakable suffering, and what did it achieve? Nothing. Assad is still there, his grip on power possibly even stronger than before.

Putin has spent the last 5 years supporting but also learning from Assad and I for one can't see the benefits of Ukraine turning into a European Syria, which is the way it's quickly going.

If Ukraine had real military support it could do this, but right now it has no hope and is just sinking into the abyss.

More Sabre Rattling -

What the f*ck is that supposed to mean? What is the threat alluding to?

Ukraine army receiving military supplies unashamedly from regions outside the conflict area. Weapons wipe out Russian-born soldiers fighting for their country ( right or wrongly). Russia could argue for war any time, with an increased posture of their armed forces elsewhere in the world?.

Russia and Putin know it is a big deal to attack the west the Baltic states and eastern states who joined Nato. It may go nuclear quickly. Uneasiness here is a mistake or weighed one that someone rogue within the military may fire a cruise missile or standard missile at base or airport right at a country bordering Ukraine. The country is in Nato, a shooting war may start. In war time, this event could happen to trigger a wider conflict. We must acknowledge the reality the west is at war with Russia now how it all end is anybody’s guess.