The Russian Invasion of the Ukraine.

[Andy_Ross]

Does Ukraine manufacture military guns and ammo?

Yes, AKs and an interesting AK based ‘bullpup’ plus the rather good Istiglal 14.5mm ‘anti-materiel’ rifle and the ‘Snipex’ sniper rifle.

They also license manufacture the Israeli Tavor ‘bullpup’ assault rifle, Negev LMG and Galatz sniper rifle

They have no shortage of small arms and ammunition.

 

[crescent]

, they should, it seems to me, quickly move their best and most professional troops from Donbass to the capital Kyiv, and perhaps the U.S. and U.K. should send some of their best generals to serve as military advisors, who should explain how to make the best use of West-supplied technologically advanced weapons, and look after the strategy.

I don't think that they have much ability to be mobile any more. Trucks and convoys are to obvious targets for airpower, especially in the east of the country.

 

[crescent]

There's video from today of Russia transporting mobile ICBMs on launchers through Moscow. Solid fuel, always ready to go.

 

[Andy_Ross]

Squawk Box on CNBC had Farage on he said

"I have felt for 30 years ever since the fall of the Berlin Wall that we have made a huge geopolitical error. We absolutely promised the Russians that we would not extend NATO to the east. But we did,"

 

[BobTheCoward]

Squawk Box on CNBC had Farage on he said

"I have felt for 30 years ever since the fall of the Berlin Wall that we have made a huge geopolitical error. We absolutely promised the Russians that we would not extend NATO to the east. But we did,"

Who is "we"?

 

[theprestige]

Probably the best support NATO could offer right now is air power. Doesn't require a lot of boots on the ground, doesn't require a lot of logistical coordination, would make a huge difference.

 

[trustbutverify]

@KenRoth

So much for democratic debate: A Russian "actor posted a directive from his state-run Moscow theater claiming that 'any negative commentary' about the war would be seen by the authorities as 'treason."”

No surprise here, if true.

 

[BobTheCoward]

Probably the best support NATO could offer right now is air power. Doesn't require a lot of boots on the ground, doesn't require a lot of logistical coordination, would make a huge difference.

And would be an unprovoked attack against Russia

 

[Hercules56]

And would be an unprovoked attack against Russia

A nation could defend Ukraine from the air by shooting down Russian planes and helicopters. It would be a very moral act.

 

[theprestige]

And would be an unprovoked attack against Russia

I think Russia has given the rest of the world ample provocation in this matter.

 

[Hercules56]

I think Russia has given the rest of the world ample provocation in this matter.

It's true attacking Russian forces in Ukraine could be legally seen as defending Ukraine against an illegal invasion by a much larger aggressive Force

 

[BobTheCoward]

It's true attacking Russian forces in Ukraine could be legally seen as defending Ukraine against an illegal invasion by a much larger aggressive Force

Justification to do something and being provoked to do something are not the same.

 

[Olmstead]

It's true attacking Russian forces in Ukraine could be legally seen as defending Ukraine against an illegal invasion by a much larger aggressive Force

There's no point discussing the ethics or legality of it. It can't happen, because currently Ukraine isn't worth risking an all-out war with Russia. It's sad but true.

 

[BobTheCoward]

There's no point discussing the ethics or legality of it. It can't happen, because currently Ukraine isn't worth risking an all-out war with Russia. It's sad but true.

I don't think sad is the right word that a country may have to be solely responsible for its defense. Unfortunate that it is a difficult proposition. But part of being an independent country incurs that risk?

 

[Hercules56]

There's no point discussing the ethics or legality of it. It can't happen, because currently Ukraine isn't worth risking an all-out war with Russia. It's sad but true.

If Russia starts committing war crimes in Ukraine, such as setting up concentration camps or massacring civilians, we will have to get involved.

We can only hope and pray it would not go nuclear.

 

[Tero]

I haven't noticed that. Former Perussuomalaiset (Basic Finns)* leader, Jussi Halla-Aho and academic, has been tweeting even before the invasion that Finland should be sending arms and military equipment to the Ukraine.
The Kokomus (Coalition [Conservative]) are all for strong 'sanctions', together with the RKP (ruotsinkielinen Swedish Speakers), but stops short at that so far. It is the SDP (Social Democratic) ruling party (Prime Minister Sanna Marin) who is hesitating about ditching the Fennovoima (joint nuclear energy) project with Russia, instead settling for a 'wait and see' delayed response. It is now suspended for now but not cancelled.

The Left (Vasemmisto - socialist) are a minority although Li Andersson is enormously popular, as Education Minister, and Foreign Office, Pekka Haavisto, Green Party. It used to be in the old days that the Communist Party ran 'friendship' schemes with Russia and exchange trips but they hardly exist at all any more.

It is not my perception that Finland's 'far right' or even 'far left' have much affinity with Russia.

*The PS - perse for short [the Finnish slang for backside) - are not really far Far Right, more just right of Centre, a bit like UKIP, rather than Britain First or whatever.

The Centre (Keskusta) traditionally represents the agricultural sector and although leftish, is anti-Communist in its constitution, as with the Centre Party in other nordic countries.

President Niinisto did already say he wanted to apply to NATO in his new years day message but didn't specify a date.

It is not so that the PS are in favour of Russia at all AFAICS.

Let's hope your info is right. I found Halla-Aho supporting Ukraine. He speaks Russian and uses Ukrainian in a tweet.

https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12043017/64-3-50813

The bad actors I find are people like Bäckman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Bäckman

MV, publishing on line from Spain in Finnish has been publishing fake news.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV-media

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Will the Greendouche "left" and the GOP justify it if they do?

They will ignore that and blame it on Biden.

The other big question is, what will NATO do in response? They have nukes too.

 

[trustbutverify]

They will ignore that and blame it on Biden.

The other big question is, what will NATO do in response? They have nukes too.

Probably nothing.

 

[Jimbo07]

If Russia starts committing war crimes in Ukraine, such as setting up concentration camps or massacring civilians, we will have to get involved.

We can only hope and pray it would not go nuclear.

The other big question is, what will NATO do in response? They have nukes too.

Biden said:

"That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another."

He's cognizant of the risk of escalation. I wouldn't expect to see a single (non-black ops, anyway) American boot on the ground in Ukraine, even if verified reports of war crimes start trickling out.

I bet if Finland applied, though, they might get fast-tracked into NATO.

 

[dudalb]

I am amazed at the bravery of the Ukrainians. They are putting the lie to Putin’s ******** about them not being a real country.

I am disgusted by every variety of Putin apologetics as has been seen here and also by professional douchebags, Tucker Carlson (who said he supports Russia!), Glenn Greenwald, Matt Taibbi and Tulsi Gabbard. All disgusting pieces of excrement.

I am waiting for Stephan Cohen to speak up. He is pretty much the biggest Left Wing apologist for Putin in the US.