Russia Invades Ukraine

[Cruyff]

17 hours ago, Mikey1874 said:

People were working on the basis Trump didn't care about Ukraine aside from undermining Joe Biden.

 

But seems that isn't true. Someone has told him Ukraine has one of the biggest collections of rare minerals. Seems to might even want to kick Russia out to get his hands on it. 

I reckon he would have already known that and he's just using that as an excuse to change his rhetoric on Ukraine. 

 

https://caspianpolicy.org/research/critical-minerals/the-minerals-that-make-our-military-strategic-opportunities-in-central-asia-the-caucasus-and-ukraine

 

Trump has pro Ukraine people in his ear as well, plus the Intelligence services which have committed a lot of resources into defeating Russia. He says a lot of shit but when it comes to global strategic defense, it's not just up to him. He has to go along with the plan just like every US president.

 

The US & EU should up the ante and flood Ukraine with weaponry, lift all restrictions and even take over logistics to allow Ukraine to free up man power. 

Because, any ceasefire or peace deal will just allow Russia time to re-arm (which they are already doing at a massive rate).

 

Regardless of Russian losses (mostly conscripts), they are now a modern battle hardened force and they will study in depth the lessons and change their tactics accordingly making them a much more dangerous in the future. 

[Mikey1874]

Update.

 

Defense Express: Ukraine has been allowed to strike deep into Russian territory with Western weapons.

"The situation regarding restrictions on using Western weapons for strikes on Russian territory has indeed changed for the better. Previously, we were completely banned from carrying out such strikes. Now, we operate without restrictions not only in the Kursk region but across all of Russia." - said Oleh Katkov, chief editor of Defense Express.

At the same time, he explained that Ukraine also has its own systems capable of striking targets at distances of up to 2,500 km.

[Lone Striker]

19 hours ago, Mikey1874 said:

People were working on the basis Trump didn't care about Ukraine aside from undermining Joe Biden.

 

But seems that isn't true. Someone has told him Ukraine has one of the biggest collections of rare minerals. Seems to might even want to kick Russia out to get his hands on it. 

Pretty sure its no coincidence that his nutjob threats against Canada & Greenland suggest that he's fully aware of the natural  resources they and Ukraine have - stuff  thats needed by hi-tech companies including the U.S. military. 

 

Whats weird is his apparent belief (possibly a smoke-screen or  possibly just more daft Trumpyism.... ) that if the U.S. doesn't act now, China will try to grab land in the Arctic. Yet the most obvious threat of invasion to grab these resources is the country who invaded Ukraine nearly 3 years ago, and is actively waging am  underwater "silent" war against other European  countries by cutting comms & power cables.   

 

And all this sabre-rattling from the President who won the election on the promise to end the big wars in week 1.

 

 

 

threats ence that his 

[Cade]

20,000+ Russian soldiers listed as "missing" so they don't need to pay out compo to their families. And to reduce the casualty figures.

Footage of alleged mass graves being dug in the Donbas.

All going swimmingly.

 

 

[Watt-Zeefuik]

On 03/02/2025 at 15:20, Mikey1874 said:

People were working on the basis Trump didn't care about Ukraine aside from undermining Joe Biden.

 

But seems that isn't true. Someone has told him Ukraine has one of the biggest collections of rare minerals. Seems to might even want to kick Russia out to get his hands on it. 

 

Trump wants to side with the winner. When Assad went down he felt the wind change.

[Cade]

Seems that Zelensky has been waving the mineral wealth of Ukraine under Trump's nose.
The fact that most of it is currently underneath the occupied territories is interesting.

 

[davemclaren]

14 minutes ago, Cade said:

Seems that Zelensky has been waving the mineral wealth of Ukraine under Trump's nose.
The fact that most of it is currently underneath the occupied territories is interesting.

 

The Kherson Riviera. 😎⛱️🏝️🌊

[Mikey1874]

On 26/01/2025 at 16:32, Lone Striker said:

Trump sounds like he wants to cut the killing by  trying  to achieve a monitored cease-fire along a new "border" in the east of Ukraine - that would stifle the alleged U.S.  degradation plan AND annoy Zelensky.

 

 

Likely

 

 

[escobri]

7 hours ago, Cade said:

Seems that Zelensky has been waving the mineral wealth of Ukraine under Trump's nose.
The fact that most of it is currently underneath the occupied territories is interesting.

 

Have Blackrock not already got first dibs on these?

[Cruyff]

3 minutes ago, escobri said:

Have Blackrock not already got first dibs on these?

Ha boy knows his stuff. 

[Cade]

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have now fully disconnected from the Russian electricity grid and are now on the EU grid.

This also means that that Russian Kaliningrad enclave is also now cut off from the Russian grid and is having to power itself.

On the ground up in Kursk, it appears the North Koreans have been withdrawn.

Ukraine has also launched another harassing offensive to the south east of the Kursk salient.

[redjambo]

2 hours ago, Cade said:

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have now fully disconnected from the Russian electricity grid and are now on the EU grid.

This also means that that Russian Kaliningrad enclave is also now cut off from the Russian grid and is having to power itself.

On the ground up in Kursk, it appears the North Koreans have been withdrawn.

Ukraine has also launched another harassing offensive to the south east of the Kursk salient.

 

I thought Zelenskiy announced either today or yesterday that the North Koreans had been seen on the front lines again?

[Cade]

10 minutes ago, redjambo said:

 

I thought Zelenskiy announced either today or yesterday that the North Koreans had been seen on the front lines again?

Just token forces.

In the sector where they were being mown down in large numbers the Ukrainians are reporting seeing mostly Russians instead of NK guys now.

 

Putin's over-ruled the Federal budget, which recommended a 7% pension rise, he's personally bumped it up to 9.5%.
Still way, way below inflation though.

He's also decided to make a term in the Army a sentence which can be handed down by the courts. 
Crimes as petty as "being in debt" can now get you sent to the front.
Oh, and this can be retroactively applied so you can expect lots of prisoners to be sent to fight (without even being paid this time)
 

Edited February 8 by Cade

[Hansel]

Apparently Putin is drafting 100,000 troops. Maybe the petty crimes battalions. They wont exactly be enthusiastic or willing soldiers, that's for shizzle

[Cade]

He's going to need them.

Ukraine just took another 4km in Kursk in one day.

It's taken the Russians/Koreans a few months to regain that much ground, with awful casualties.

[Footballfirst]

Here we go with Trump's Ukraine sellout

 

 

[trotter]

56 minutes ago, Footballfirst said:

Here we go with Trump's Ukraine sellout

 

 

How long before the Kremlin issues a statement saying it never happened, or it never happened like he states. 

One thing I picked up on there...HE decided there will be a negotiation/ceasefire/whatever with Putin, and only AFTER that has he decided to call Zelensky and tell him what THEY have already decided what will happen to him, his country and his people?

 

**** me, even for him that's a cracking piece of arrogance. 

 

I hope the rest of NATO wade into this and tell him (Trump) to bolt. We'll look after ourselves. And whilst your at it, get all your troops and equipment out of our bases. It's not going to end with Ukraine...

[Craig_]

1 hour ago, Footballfirst said:

Here we go with Trump's Ukraine sellout

 

 

 

Quite incredible how easily he can be manipulated. Netanyahu the other day, and now Putin. 

 

Xi must be pissing himself laughing. 

[Footballfirst]

Zelensky:  Just spoke with Donald Trump— a long conversation on paths to peace & working together. Discussed tech, drones & new security & economic deals. Trump shared details of his Putin call. Ukraine wants peace & we’re defining steps with the U.S. to stop Russian aggression.

[ToadKiller Dog]

US defence secretary basically said that the US is now no longer the primary guarantor of European security .

So Nato is as good as dead ,that's mega for our security ,better start building ships and bombs .Get back into the EU .

Thankfully Ukraine has dented the Russian military short term ,but Putin influence will be massive boost for far right parties and Authoritarian leaders in Europe 

 

Edited February 12 by ToadKiller Dog

[Malinga the Swinga]

13 minutes ago, ToadKiller Dog said:

US defence secretary basically said that the US is now no longer the primary guarantor of European security .

So Nato is as good as dead ,that's mega for our security ,better start building ships and bombs .Get back into the EU .

Thankfully Ukraine has dented the Russian military short term ,but Putin influence will be massive boost for far right parties and Authoritarian leaders in Europe 

 

That's a heck of a leap and a typical knee jerk reaction. Europe needs to be primary guarantor so let's see France & Germany, the EU superpowers stepping up to the plate. 

We don't need to be in EU, that is of zero benefit to us at this time. What you going to do with our new bombs? They'd be useless unless you are talking nuclear and we already have them. Hope the new ships aren't built in Scotland, we couldn't even build 1 ferry successfully never mind warships.

It's been obvious from almost the start that Ukraine won't win war and Russia won't win either. There will be a negotiated settlement, Ukraine won't be in NATO and the Ukrainian borders will be redrawn. It might be unpalatable but it's going to happen, regardless of what half a dozen keyboard warriors think on here.

[Footballfirst]

[JudyJudyJudy]

9 minutes ago, Malinga the Swinga said:

It's been obvious from almost the start that Ukraine won't win war and Russia won't win either. There will be a negotiated settlement, Ukraine won't be in NATO and the Ukrainian borders will be redrawn. It might be unpalatable but it's going to happen, regardless of what half a dozen keyboard warriors think on here.

THIS.

 

DJT doing the business as he promised in his election campaign. 

[Victorian]

14 minutes ago, Malinga the Swinga said:

That's a heck of a leap and a typical knee jerk reaction. Europe needs to be primary guarantor so let's see France & Germany, the EU superpowers stepping up to the plate. 

We don't need to be in EU, that is of zero benefit to us at this time. What you going to do with our new bombs? They'd be useless unless you are talking nuclear and we already have them. Hope the new ships aren't built in Scotland, we couldn't even build 1 ferry successfully never mind warships.

It's been obvious from almost the start that Ukraine won't win war and Russia won't win either. There will be a negotiated settlement, Ukraine won't be in NATO and the Ukrainian borders will be redrawn. It might be unpalatable but it's going to happen, regardless of what half a dozen keyboard warriors think on here.

 

😀  Pretty sure Ferguson Marine wouldn't be selected ahead of BAE Systems to build some Royal Navy ships.   

 

Anyway,  some of the above is quite practical.   A negotiated settlement looked necessary from years ago.   The Americans have stated a couple of items of brutal realism.   Russia leaving the occupied lands is unrealistic.   Ukraine was never going to be given NATO membership.   They're ham-fisted but the underlying message is that some kind of negotiated peace is only possible when the unrealistic ideals are abandoned.   But they really shouldn't have conceded these points in public before negotiations have even been agreed to.

 

Some of the other messages being imposed on Ukraine are quite silly.   We're not going to defend you,  continue to arm you,  provide security guarantees for you,  provide peacekeeping services for you.   But we will negotiate for you and without you.   Oh,  and gies your mineral wealth.

[JudyJudyJudy]

2 minutes ago, Victorian said:

 

😀  Pretty sure Ferguson Marine wouldn't be selected ahead of BAE Systems to build some Royal Navy ships.   

 

Anyway,  some of the above is quite practical.   A negotiated settlement looked necessary from years ago.   The Americans have stated a couple of items of brutal realism.   Russia leaving the occupied lands is unrealistic.   Ukraine was never going to be given NATO membership.   They're ham-fisted but the underlying message is that some kind of negotiated peace is only possible when the unrealistic ideals are abandoned.   But they really shouldn't have conceded these points in public before negotiations have even been agreed to.

 

Some of the other messages being imposed on Ukraine are quite silly.   We're not going to defend you,  continue to arm you,  provide security guarantees for you,  provide peacekeeping services for you.   But we will negotiate for you and without you.   Oh,  and gies your mineral wealth.

👍

[ToadKiller Dog]

20 minutes ago, Malinga the Swinga said:

That's a heck of a leap and a typical knee jerk reaction. Europe needs to be primary guarantor so let's see France & Germany, the EU superpowers stepping up to the plate. 

We don't need to be in EU, that is of zero benefit to us at this time. What you going to do with our new bombs? They'd be useless unless you are talking nuclear and we already have them. Hope the new ships aren't built in Scotland, we couldn't even build 1 ferry successfully never mind warships.

It's been obvious from almost the start that Ukraine won't win war and Russia won't win either. There will be a negotiated settlement, Ukraine won't be in NATO and the Ukrainian borders will be redrawn. It might be unpalatable but it's going to happen, regardless of what half a dozen keyboard warriors think on here.

Was being a bit over the top with the ships and bombs comment deliberately. No knee jerk from me .

But a weak nato is a win for Putin .

Yes Ukraine can't expect its pre 2014 borders ain't going to happen, they won't get the pre this war borders either .

It's more than just Ukraine though ,you have a strong military in Poland sharing a border with Russia ,it to has an aggressive % of nationalisim to its politics  , the baltic states are worried ,Moldova, Georgia Putin has a karge footprint . 

Orbans Hungary which side is he fully on.

So yes the European nations including us will have to secure peace .

The EU and the UK need to be in on the peace talks with the US and Russia  also or it will only be a short term peace .

 

There is a reason why Putin put effort in to back brexit ,it weakens Europe, why he was courted by Farage and co .

 

 

[Hansel]

30 minutes ago, JudyJudyJudy said:

THIS.

 

DJT doing the business as he promised in his election campaign. 

Not really! He said he'd have it sorted in 24 hours after he became president 

[Lord Montpelier]

The Donald - i'll try get some peace between Ukraine and Russia

 

Lefties - raging

 

What an upside down world we live in

[JudyJudyJudy]

7 minutes ago, Hansel said:

Not really! He said he'd have it sorted in 24 hours after he became president 

LOl awe cut him some  slack..hes been a busy lad with Executive orders flying off the page since day one..........

[JudyJudyJudy]

8 minutes ago, Lord Montpelier said:

The Donald - i'll try get some peace between Ukraine and Russia

 

Lefties - raging

 

What an upside down world we live in

I ken. Lets just be happy there will be no more loss of live. Heres hoping. Been a complete waste . As all wars are. 

[Malinga the Swinga]

14 minutes ago, Lord Montpelier said:

The Donald - i'll try get some peace between Ukraine and Russia

 

Lefties - raging

 

What an upside down world we live in

Don't think they care about the message, it's the messenger they are bothered about. 

[Lord Montpelier]

Just now, Malinga the Swinga said:

Don't think they care about the message, it's the messenger they are bothered about. 

The Donald is coming across as a make love not war sort of guy. 

 

We need more of them in the world. 

[Pap]

Have the goals of the special military operation been completed? Nah

 

Has Ukraine been de-nazified? Nah

 

Is their a new regime in Kyiv? Nah

 

Make no mistake, this is an absolutely humiliating loss for putin and Russia. A wee slither of land at the expense of complete military humiliation and the horrific human cost. 

[indianajones]

13 minutes ago, Malinga the Swinga said:

Don't think they care about the message, it's the messenger they are bothered about. 

 

100%. 

 

Hopefully it ends soon. Tragic waste of human life. 

[JudyJudyJudy]

13 minutes ago, Lord Montpelier said:

The Donald is coming across as a make love not war sort of guy. 

 

We need more of them in the world. 

 

[trotter]

1 hour ago, Malinga the Swinga said:

That's a heck of a leap and a typical knee jerk reaction. Europe needs to be primary guarantor so let's see France & Germany, the EU superpowers stepping up to the plate. 

We don't need to be in EU, that is of zero benefit to us at this time. What you going to do with our new bombs? They'd be useless unless you are talking nuclear and we already have them. Hope the new ships aren't built in Scotland, we couldn't even build 1 ferry successfully never mind warships.

It's been obvious from almost the start that Ukraine won't win war and Russia won't win either. There will be a negotiated settlement, Ukraine won't be in NATO and the Ukrainian borders will be redrawn. It might be unpalatable but it's going to happen, regardless of what half a dozen keyboard warriors think on here.

We manufacture our own warheads, but the only missiles we have to use them with are effectively on long-term lease from the US. As part of the agreement to get them, we're not allowed to unilaterally use them without their permission. Not sure how that would be enforcable in time of war, but there you go...

[Hansel]

Not really the thread to be trolling, guys. 

 

I hate Trump and don't trust him, but i hope whatever happens works out for the best. 

 

 

[Mikey1874]

2 hours ago, Pap said:

Have the goals of the special military operation been completed? Nah

 

Has Ukraine been de-nazified? Nah

 

Is their a new regime in Kyiv? Nah

 

Make no mistake, this is an absolutely humiliating loss for putin and Russia. A wee slither of land at the expense of complete military humiliation and the horrific human cost. 

 

And then what they might have to give up for a ceasefire.

 

A few things not mentioned like thousands of Ukrainians disappeared into prison, thousands forcibly moved to rural Russia. 

 

Ukraine will be keeping its pro Western Government, almost certainly joining the EU and keeping its vastly improved weapons.

 

Just Russia will get the sanctions lifted. 

Edited February 12 by Mikey1874

[indianajones]

31 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

 

And then what they might have to give up for a ceasefire.

 

A few things not mentioned like thousands of Ukrainians disappeared into prison, thousands forcibly moved to rural Russia. 

 

Ukraine will be keeping its pro Western Government, almost certainly joining the EU and keeping its vastly improved weapons.

 

Just Russia will get the sanctions lifted. 

 

And most importantly, Blackrocks investors benefit massively from huge profits. All about the money. Send the pawns to die. 

[Luckies1874]

3 hours ago, Lord Montpelier said:

The Donald - i'll try get some peace between Ukraine and Russia

 

Lefties - raging

 

What an upside down world we live in

 

Indeed. 

 

Whilst Biden and his cronies were quite happy to see it go on and on and on, ensuring the gravy train of kickbacks continued, Trump will oversee peace very quickly. Great stuff. 

[Dennis Reynolds]

 

[Dagger Is Back]

1 hour ago, Hansel said:

Not really the thread to be trolling, guys. 

 

I hate Trump and don't trust him, but i hope whatever happens works out for the best. 

 

 

Well said. 

[Cade]

If you think Russia will abide by any deal, then you are a poor student of history.

They never, ever stick to these deals.

If given an inch, they'll take a mile.

They will simply re-arm, re-organise then go again in a few years time.

And everybody knows it.

 

 

[lost in space]

13 minutes ago, Cade said:

If you think Russia will abide by any deal, then you are a poor student of history.

They never, ever stick to these deals.

If given an inch, they'll take a mile.

They will simply re-arm, re-organise then go again in a few years time.

And everybody knows it.

 

 

Yes, Russia happy to play the "long game".

Return to sell their oil again and build up their finances and weaponry.

Go again in about a year when US gone and Europe not prepared to pay the price of defending against Russia.

[King prawn]

8 hours ago, Hansel said:

Not really the thread to be trolling, guys. 

 

I hate Trump and don't trust him, but i hope whatever happens works out for the best. 

 

 

some posters on this forum can’t help themselves 

 

[Libertarian]

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says Ukraine will not be part of NATO and will not get its pre-2014 territories back.
This was obvious three years ago, yet hundreds of thousands of men were sent to their deaths. Our governments, media and "NGOs" pushed ridiculous narratives of "Ukraine is winning", "Ukraine is losing fewer troops than Russia" and other obvious lies to sell a long war to the public and maintain the war enthusiasm, while shutting down free speech by smearing, censoring and cancelling anyone who challenged their war narratives with facts.
Ukraine could have had its pre-Feb 2022 territory back in return for neutrality, yet the US/UK sabotaged the Istanbul agreement for a long war to use Ukrainians to bleed Russia -and the media refused to report on it. Our governments then refused any diplomacy for three years as they watched all these young men die. The warmongers sold it as moral, principled, and "supporting" Ukraine.
Ukraine is now destroyed, Russia is organising its economy toward China and the east, Europe is destined for economic decline, political instability and growing irrelevance in the world. Nobody will be held accountable and their absurd narratives will contine to be immune to facts

[XB52]

3 hours ago, King prawn said:

some posters on this forum can’t help themselves 

 

It really is pathetic. Posting to get their wee jollies while thousands die and people lose their land. 

[JudyJudyJudy]

9 hours ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

Indeed. 

 

Whilst Biden and his cronies were quite happy to see it go on and on and on, ensuring the gravy train of kickbacks continued, Trump will oversee peace very quickly. Great stuff. 

Yep . 

[Norm]

1 hour ago, Libertarian said:

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says Ukraine will not be part of NATO and will not get its pre-2014 territories back.
This was obvious three years ago, yet hundreds of thousands of men were sent to their deaths. Our governments, media and "NGOs" pushed ridiculous narratives of "Ukraine is winning", "Ukraine is losing fewer troops than Russia" and other obvious lies to sell a long war to the public and maintain the war enthusiasm, while shutting down free speech by smearing, censoring and cancelling anyone who challenged their war narratives with facts.
Ukraine could have had its pre-Feb 2022 territory back in return for neutrality, yet the US/UK sabotaged the Istanbul agreement for a long war to use Ukrainians to bleed Russia -and the media refused to report on it. Our governments then refused any diplomacy for three years as they watched all these young men die. The warmongers sold it as moral, principled, and "supporting" Ukraine.
Ukraine is now destroyed, Russia is organising its economy toward China and the east, Europe is destined for economic decline, political instability and growing irrelevance in the world. Nobody will be held accountable and their absurd narratives will contine to be immune to facts

For "neutrality", read "Russian satellite state" if they're lucky.

[lost in space]

4 minutes ago, Norm said:

For "neutrality", read "Russian satellite state" if they're lucky.

Or "returns to the USSR".