Ukraine Crisis

[greenmark]

"Russia's President Putin has agreed in a call with France's President Macron on the need for a visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). the Kremlin says "

I hope this is genuine, there may be some Putin manipulation going on with this.
Zaporizhzhia is a useful asset for sure. To have it examined and cleared by "the west" is useful to both sides. It protects Russian interests and reassures 'the west' that everything is fine and reinforces the idea of attacking the plant would be catastrophic.
In these scenarios you first need to see compromise and common sense.

[Dallas]

"Russia's President Putin has agreed in a call with France's President Macron on the need for a visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). the Kremlin says "

I hope this is genuine, there may be some Putin manipulation going on with this.
Zaporizhzhia is a useful asset for sure. To have it examined and cleared by "the west" is useful to both sides. It protects Russian interests and reassures 'the west' that everything is fine and reinforces the idea of attacking the plant would be catastrophic.
In these scenarios you first need to see compromise and common sense.

Loads of frantic call between leaders across Europe and the world today but news of that call did sound promising - especially considering the wind direction over the next 10 days or so will spread any contamination across Europe and away from Russia

[greenmark]

"Russia's President Putin has agreed in a call with France's President Macron on the need for a visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). the Kremlin says "

I hope this is genuine, there may be some Putin manipulation going on with this.
Zaporizhzhia is a useful asset for sure. To have it examined and cleared by "the west" is useful to both sides. It protects Russian interests and reassures 'the west' that everything is fine and reinforces the idea of attacking the plant would be catastrophic.
In these scenarios you first need to see compromise and common sense.

Loads of frantic call between leaders across Europe and the world today but news of that call did sound promising - especially considering the wind direction over the next 10 days or so will spread any contamination across Europe and away from Russia

I hope it is the glimmer of hope. The conflict is hurting everybody (a lot more than us in the UK).
My worry is without apparent victory for Putin he'll just plough on and Ukraine (and us backing them up) will do as well. And then in a few months we arrive at winter.
War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

[Derek27]

War! What is it good for?

Tinned food...was invented as a result of war, to get food that doesn't perish to the front line. So was the use of microwaves.

[Trader Pat]

RADAR is pretty handy... so is duct tape according to a survey of 100 serial killers

[Archery1969]

The US has announced another $775m military aid package for Ukraine, including funding for rocket systems and howitzers.

Zelensky wants Russia out of Ukraine, including Crimea.

Its going to be a hard slog for those Russian troops with winter around the corner.

[Derek27]

RADAR is pretty handy... so is duct tape according to a survey of 100 serial killers

I've never understood how people die in horror films by having their heads put in the microwave. Mine doesn't work when the door's open!

[greenmark]

War! What is it good for?

Tinned food...was invented as a result of war, to get food that doesn't perish to the front line. So was the use of microwaves.

Brilliant! Tinned food, radar, duct tape (although I didn't know duct tape was a product of war, but will noodle that). Well worth the loss of millions of lives. This is turning into a Monty Python sketch again.

And good to to know Derek27 has tried to microwave his head. (Only joking Derek27).

[Derek27]

War! What is it good for?

Tinned food...was invented as a result of war, to get food that doesn't perish to the front line. So was the use of microwaves.

Brilliant! Tinned food, radar, duct tape (although I didn't know duct tape was a product of war, but will noodle that). Well worth the loss of millions of lives. This is turning into a Monty Python sketch again.

And good to to know Derek27 has tried to microwave his head. (Only joking Derek27).

Duck tape was needed to seal the packs of tinned food.

[greenmark]

Tinned food...was invented as a result of war, to get food that doesn't perish to the front line. So was the use of microwaves.

Brilliant! Tinned food, radar, duct tape (although I didn't know duct tape was a product of war, but will noodle that). Well worth the loss of millions of lives. This is turning into a Monty Python sketch again.

And good to to know Derek27 has tried to microwave his head. (Only joking Derek27).

Duck tape was needed to seal the packs of tinned food.

Ok got me again. Duck tape preceded duct tape. But nontheless the adoption of, and refinement of, a product doesn't excuse war.
War is a waste always.

[Derek27]

And the Australian dollar seemingly. I was just checking how much I can trade tonight down under.

Capture.GIF

[greenmark]

And the Australian dollar seemingly. I was just checking how much I can trade tonight down under.


Capture.GIF

Some can gain from any market.
My point is that war destroys lives.
It might be said that Hiroshima and Nagasaki prevented greater loss of lfe.
I don't know, but for sure, those events wouldn't have occured without the concept of war as a solution. And, for me, that concept is twaddle.

[Derek27]

Russia claim they shot down a Ukrainian drone.....that fell on their Black Sea headquarters.

[Archery1969]

How come Ukraine is being so successful in Crimea, behind enemy lines.

Russia seems rather confused because S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) units were deployed to the Crimea peninsula earlier this year. They are some of the most advanced in the world. While they defend against aircraft and larger missiles, the S-400s are protected by smaller SAMs like the Pantsir, delivering a two-layered defence system.

So how come Ukraine is being so successful so far in the area.

Well, the USA recently sent AGM-88 high speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM) to Ukraine. These can destroy the radars of SAMs and early warning anti-air systems, effectively rendering them useless.

[greenmark]

How come Ukraine is being so successful in Crimea, behind enemy lines.

Russia seems rather confused because S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) units were deployed to the Crimea peninsula earlier this year. They are some of the most advanced in the world. While they defend against aircraft and larger missiles, the S-400s are protected by smaller SAMs like the Pantsir, delivering a two-layered defence system.

So how come Ukraine is being so successful so far in the area.

Well, the USA recently sent AGM-88 high speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM) to Ukraine. These can destroy the radars of SAMs and early warning anti-air systems, effectively rendering them useless.

$775m of military support is a bit of a commitment that Putin will be aware of. I'm wondering how long he either
a) relents and seeks a peaceful compromise
b) escalates

I don't think nukes are on the table. If you were facing an opponent with equal ability to wipe out civilisation as we know it, would any sane person pull the trigger?
Problem is Putin (and me) has underestimated Ukraine and how willing the UN nations are to support them with superior weapons.
But the sword of damacles of nukes that hung over my early years until the fall of the USSR is now back.
With due respect to napshnap, there are better ways to resolve disputes.
I've been reading a lot and it seems to me like Ireland. Someone, somehow has to find that narrow channel in the conflict to a better place for everyone.
We could do with the equivalents of Mo Mowlam and John Hulme for Ukraine right now.