Russian build up along Ukraine

I see Mick is still shrilling for Moscow. Meanwhile Orban might try blocking the EU sanctions package, but Germany has order a halt to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Some confusion as to whether or not Russia intends to only take control of the current "republic's" or push to take control of what they proclaimed they were in 2014 (which was much larger), meanwhile Putin and his FM has basically declared that Ukraine has no right to exist as an independent state.

Putin has declared a “special military operation” to demilitarise Ukraine, and increased clashes are already being reported.

So the attack has been launched from Russia, Belarus, and Crimea. It was initiated by missile strikes on key out of City military areas such as Airfields to neutralise Ukrainian airpower. Units seem to go through border crossings with commercial traffic. it teaches a number of lessons on the need for distant strike weapons, dispersed assets, and an ability to prepare when you have months of notice of a likely invasion. At least harden some of the routes into target areas.

Unfortunately RU are settling a vendetta against a wayward member of the former USSR who was a shining performer for them in International Sports of all kinds. What should an international response be and who has the stomach for the conventional response when someone is in mortal danger.

The certainty now is, that the Russian Government and it's Ambassadors are NOT good friends and don't believe in compromise or the common right to life.

Mixed reports that Russia hasn’t achieved all of its day 1 objectives, the special forces/airborne assault on the airport at Kiev was overrun after heavy fighting and is back in Ukrainian hands as of tonight,reports Russian forces have withdrawn from their attack on Sumy and will resume attacks tomorrow. But strong gains in the South out of Crimea and they are moving through Chernobyl which is only a short distance from the capital (side news reports at least some damage was done to waste storage during the battle). Suggestions that Ukraine has lost control of the air, be interesting to see if that shows itself tomorrow. Russia has taken military losses in pushing this, but given their size can take them as the main forces haven’t moved in strength yet.

Bit of news for Romania, one of the Ukrainian islands only 30km from their coast has fallen after resistance from its squad of Ukrainians, long term as its close to a NATO member, I’d imagine that will be fortified and used against Romania.

Edit: And the Russians just admitted to “misfiring” a missile at a Turkish ship in the Black Sea.

Reports tonight that a Russian IL-76 with a company of Paratroopers was shot down by Ukrainian SAMs around Kyiv, heavy losses for them if true.

Wouldn't disagree with that along with the RBS 70s, I'm sure if we got them to Poland they would be happy to drive them over the border. Wonder how many we have in stores?

Every little helps, and the Javelin is pretty good.

It's always the Crisis moments that the EU moves so quickly. And yeah it will be the Eastern European jets that will be sent, ironically Russians have in some cases been the ones keeping them flying up till now.

Since we arent giving any anti tank weapons we should at least give the ukrainians that are returning home training on the javelins so they can train there fellow country men and women

I think the DF only fire one of these a year as the cost about 170,000 dollars a pop.

Prices may vary depending on strategic need. Some quote Rounds at 80,000 usd each. The Ukrainians bought 37 launchers and 210 rounds a couple of years ago. There are anti-tanks available at 5000 USD and rounds as cheap as a Dollar. RPG launchers 200 USD and grenades 20USD.

The latest 500 javelins won't cost UKRAINE anything upfront and may have a use or return deal. The spare Fighter Jets will probably need nationalising and accompanied armed with volunteer pilots.

Heavy shelling in Kharkiv by MLRS strikes, reports of substantial civilian injuries/deaths.

So Finland and Sweden are sending weapons to Ukraine, seems we are the only one in the EU not doing so.

What is going on with this russian convoy. Are the ukranians waiting fot them to get to Kiev and then attack? They have any amount of anti tank missiles, Real time tactical information from Nato and Nato advisiors on the ground.

Is there some larger tactical play here?

So are they waiting for Nato to tell which targets to hit and when

There's more than a few of locals stealing everything up to MBTs, hell some of them aren't even broken down or out of fuel, they have just been abandoned... How utterly shite is Russian Morale that they are abandoning military equipment? Hell I wonder is the clip of the couple of Russians getting arrested after going into the local police station for fuel is true?