Russia-Ukraine War (continuing)

To be fair that was back at a time when governments would have been more wary and Russia was being more covert though they still suffered consequences for it. If he pulled that sort of shít now in the UK in the current environment it would guarantee a near certain Article 5 response and bring the rest of Europe into a direct confrontation with Vatnik Russia. Everything right now is being waged at a level that tries to cause damage but with being below the level that would provoke a major responce. Hence why they've been damaging infrastructure so far. If they move to killing citizens of NATO countries it might cross the line that see's Russia get a nasty surprise from NATO.

The same Russians who have barely moved the frontline in Ukraine over the last three years are not only going to overwhelm Ukraine, but the rest of Europe as well?

Why do they have to announce everything ffs why are they informing the Russians

Putin has never stopped attacking the EU and the US. Just because he didn't militarily attack Europe, dosent mean that he was not attacking them, because he was, full time. Each and every way he could, mostly deniable. Interference in elections, internet hacking, generally being as destructive as he could possibly be as we have seen with the spate of undersea cable cutting. And that's not going to stop, until Putin himself is stopped, one way or another. There will not be any peace until he is gone, and the Russian Federation reduced to state where it poses a threat to no one.

The Bradley did it's job, protecting the soldiers operating it, without the turret flying skywards after being hit by munitions unlike many Orc fighting vehicles & tanks. Just like a damaged bomber aircraft still manages to get it's crew back to base to fight another day.

Russia on the other hand sends many of it's troops into battle on mopeds, golf carts & using donkeys, most are not coming back to fight again.

You could just as easily say it's no fun being in a tank being hit with an anti-tank missile from a CV90. That and the fact that you can have more of them for the same cost.

A former Russian deputy Alexy Gorinov is serving seven years in a Russian prison for "fakes" about the Russian army. His crime was proposing a minutes silence in memory of victims of aggression in Ukraine. He's been in jail since July 2022. Now he's been added to a list of terrorists and extremists against the Russian state.

First Portugal now Canada

They might be in a bind there. They have already signed a contract for 88 F-35s and it might cost a lot to break that contract, and they have manufacturers who supply parts for them to Lockheed. Their Airforce would kick up a fuss because they really don't want more than one aircraft type.

Why they went for such a huge number is a question. Australia ordered about 75.

The alternative looks like being the Gripen, as Dassault declined to offer them the Rafale as they want extensive interoperability with the US forces and that likely would have meant the US would get to learn all their secrets.

Ukrainians getting the maps out to see which tasty target are up for grabs.

I'll tell you my position Francie….Russia wants to destroy Europe ( actually they want to destroy the world so that they can control it, sounds extreme, but its what they would like) They have been working hard at destroying Europe from within, and the US too. Getting Trump elected was a high mark in this plan. They played a big part in Brexit, and they specialise in sowing dissent, even here in Ireland, they will be supportive of any groups that are involved in protests. These will be the rabble rousers you see with the protesters. Dissention, disruption of society, they have been doing it world wide. It softens up and splits society. This is what they want….As for attacking Europe, yes, I think that they have plans to do that, as soon as they are capable of it, and the circumstances are right. Mad as it seem's…but when you have a madman in charge, do not rule out anything.

It's certainly worth doing some research on both Alexander Dugin, known as "Putins brain" a Russian extremist nationalist & imperialist & Russia's Neo-Eurasianism movement.

That's if anyone still seriously thinks that Russia isn't a treat to Europe's future.

Hmmm… 1,800 km to the Kola peninsula. Maybe they should buy a cheap clapped out vessel, load some of these on it and sail it up past Norway - surprise!