Russian build up along Ukraine

Russian 'Peacekeeping' mission into new republics tomorrow.

True, but he still has huge influence with his former KGB colleagues, who are happy to carry out accidental deaths to keep him in power. Looking at the body language of those at his "meeting" last night, they are terrified of him. Ordinary Russian people no longer express their disquiet or disappointment with political matters in Russia any more. They know doing so is unwise. He has been in power since taking over from Yeltsin in 1999. You don't stay in power in Russia that long without keeping a close eye on any potential dissent. He'll die like Stalin, in his bed, his aides afraid to check on him, lest they wake him and bring his ire.

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.

So far, according to the Ukrainian interior and civil defence apparatus, there have been 203 sites of air strikes and force engagement.

Ukraine have claimed five planes and two helicopters as kills, all unverified, while certainly at least one Ukrainian transport plane is down, pictures showing what looks like an An-26 or An-70.

The Ukrainian ambassador to the US claims a platoon of a Russian motor rifle batallion has been taken prisoner, again unverified.

A strategic airfield outside Kiev is currently the scene of fierce fighting between Russian airborne troops and defending Ukrainians. The UK MoD says a large Russian force is en route to Kiev by road.

Meanwhile a Turkish registered cargo ship has been hit by a stray bomb while transiting the Black Sea near Odessa - exactly the sort of mishap which can get NATO into the fight before you can say mutually assured destruction.

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.

The javelins etc? Far better fired in open Country, not ideal at all for urban combat, you could just as easy blow up a house.

This is fantastic. Putin lies called out as bullshit on RTE News.

AP is now citing US sources to say 2 IL-76's were shot down overnight, that's a heavy blow to the Russian elite military.

I think Ireland should send some anti tank missiles to Ukraine...

I'd happily send them the lot, but we aren't going to do that.

There has been a big donor conference organised by the Brits, hopefully we have committed as much non-lethal and medical aid as possible.

Besides, whatever we could ship over wouldn't hold a candle to the NATO supplies already on hand in the eastern member States.

Every single anti tank weapon All our mortars and 105s along with every single missile and round we have for them should be shipped out to poland estonia or romania asap. We dont need them tomorrow like ukraine and we can always buy more

I always assumed WW3 would kick off while I was a teenager.

Now I'm looking at my sixth decade on this planet, the idea doesn't seem quite as inevitable.

If we are interested in preserving our way of life how can we be neutral when the likes of Putin are out there. I think we should be part of an EU Army.