Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I'd say that he's battling for his very own survival now, and his only chance to come out of it is with the "New Russian Territories'" firmly ceded to Russia. Which is not going to happen. So for him, nothing to lose by battling on to the last man, or until the Russians themselves turn on him. Which could still take some time.

Another thing about Clonan is that I get the impression he is somewhat ambivalent about Ukraine and Zelensky and is not overly supportive of them.

Are France not sending decent aid? Could be much better but those artillery piece's are valuable?

The Russians have definitely made some good adjustments despite occasionally doing some Very stupid things. When Ukraine first got HIMARS they were blowing up gigantic ammunition dumps left and right within 60km of the frontline.

Since then Russia has moved these larger ammunition dumps back further out of range and those near the front like the one just destroyed in Svatove are much smaller. If Ukraine ever get ATACMS and if they get them secretly at first, the first thing you'll see is another wave of massive ammunition dumps go up in smoke further back in Crimea, Luhansk city and other areas near the rear.

Russia would have no choice but to locate the larger dumps in Russia which would be a logistical nightmare.

Explosions were audible in Kursk

I don’t see how you can drawn any conclusions on how the eu would act if attacked as Ukraine isn’t a member of the eu. The response whatever it may be would be entirely different if a member state was attacked.

Let’s not also forget that after the collapse of the USSR Ukraine was the 3rd largest nuclear power in the world. The USA and the Uk pressured them in to giving up their nuclear weapons to Russia with the promise of security assurances for doing so. Worked out well for Russia.

Join NATO incase we are attacked? By whom? Russia is a lost cause at the moment and falling apart. Ireland is the last thing on their mind. Who else China? The only island they’re concentrating on is Taiwan.

Plus the US is very volatile at the moment. The most watched pundit in America is right wing tucker Carlson. He’s on the record as saying he’s on Russias side in the weeks before the large scale invasion. He’s constantly criticising military aid to Ukraine and questioning Zelenskys character. A growing number of right wing politicians are echoing the same. We don’t know what nut job could take over from Biden and what direction they may take. American is simple too unstable to even contemplate joining NATO. That being said If we lived close to Russia I would be for joining but there’s no point as things stand and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

I just don’t see any scenario where Ireland needs to join NATO because of the threat of invasion as things are.

Boards always seems to love a good recession porn thread.

Bulldust

There are some countries that have been woefull, but the Netherlands isn't one of them - much to my surprise.

And that was 28th February, so talk about being quick out of the gate.

And here's the full list:

That's a pretty list, especially the tanks and stingers. Sometimes it's quality over quantity etc...

It's worth pointing out that pledged aid is not the same as delivered aid when people compare figures.

Also worth mentioning, some countries like Germany don't publically announce every bit of kit delivered.

May be true, but I can't help myself from remarking now you will do same or worse when posting about your own hobbyhorses! e.g. these 2 from posts today: 

There is a marked reluctance in much of Western Europe to support Ukraine against Russia, and it's stark across humanitarian, financial and especially military aid. For most of Western Europe the cheque book is largely closed for Kyiv.

All types of aid from much of Western Europe has been dire and a pittance to date.

Even if you are critical and think alot more could be/should be done...these statements are not true but written with a straight bat like they are fact.

@.Donegal.

Yeah, agree (+ disagree with the other post).

That political will be there in principle to intervene if an EU member was attacked/invaded is not in question (for me).

The reality of the weakness and unpreparedness of the militaries of some EU countries for any large war, their fragmented nature (would these various EU militaries all be able to organise and work together very quickly to fight off an aggressor?) and extent of dependence on the US to operate is more of a problem/worry.

Thankfully Russia is not as strong as people feared, given it has a leadership with very few limits, who you could imagine would be prepared to try another boundary test with Poland or Finland or the Baltic states some point down the line if the Ukraine invasion had gone well.

So there is more time for countries in the EU to reassess security and military needs and make changes in light of what happened in Ukraine last year.

And how close would Sir like his shave this fine morning?

Not that close? Perfectly understandable ...

More Himars? (some are saying it was a Russian attack)-

lol-

Look at the amounts donated, for much of Western Europe it is woeful what is a couple hundred million to Belgium, France or Austria. Nothing, given that the cumulative cost to the EU economy has been over a trillion.

Time to take it serious, Russia are losing, time for much of Europe to get off the fence.

The way things are you'd think America was a European power and France etc were throwing a token gesture to a far fetched region.

Not much left to discuss on this I think other than, as said before (many months ago now), am less critical of and cynical about likes of Macron than you are.

Yes, I am sure there's some "heavier" Western equipment available, which Ukraine does not have yet, that could & perhaps should be given to Ukraine by the Europeans right now (assuming training, supply of ammo and parts etc are there)...but IMO appears it will not happen until there is a US call made on doing it.

Looks (to me) like there is still fear there of either Putin going off the deep end and escalating somehow, or of causing very rapid collapse of Russian military in Ukraine followed up by a (possible) fragmentation of Russia.

Do not agree at all on making such nuclear threats (particularly of "first strike" on Russia in response to a conventional attack, as you seem to suggest there). Let us leave that to Putin + his warmonger minions and the horrible creatures spouting nonsense on Russian state tv rather than start "wrestling with pigs".

Weather in Ukraine is poised to get very cold in the north east from Saturday on.