[OFFICIAL] Ukraine Thread

[Paddy]

Who'd have thought we'd so soon be looking back to the rosy days when all we had to worry about was Covid?

Covid is a lot worse. However, in a way we were lucky that Covid leaked from Wuhan when it did. Had Covid been developed further and leaked at a later date, then what? Labs are going to be a bit more careful.

[NickFitz]

I have spent my entire career doing #OSINT and even I think it’s weird that we were able to see the first signs of the invasion using @googlemaps’s traffic layer. https://twitter.com/armscontrolwonk/...57816740036616

According @googlemaps, there is a "traffic jam" at 3:15 in the morning on the road from Belgorod, Russia to the Ukrainian border. It starts *exactly* where we saw a Russian formation of armor and IFV/APCs show up yesterday.
Someone's on the move. https://twitter.com/ArmsControlWonk/...036616/photo/1

https://twitter.com/ArmsControlWonk/...29494744297473

[OwlHoot]

Boris Johnson has threatened to write a strongly worded letter to their bank manager, so expect de-escalation presently.

As if Putin gives two hoots what that yapping poodle says!

[quackhandle]

Boris Johnson has threatened to write a strongly worded letter to their bank manager, so expect de-escalation presently.

"Darling Fascist Bullyboy, Give me some more money, you bastard.
May the seed of your loin be fruitful in the belly of your woman, Boris."



qh

[SueEllen]

As if Putin gives two hoots what that yapping poodle says!

I understand now why Putin didn't recognise Biden for a few weeks and wanted B... with yappy in charge. Covid must be annoying for him. Hopefully there is a virulent mutation that takes hold on the Russian side.

[OwlHoot]

I imagine Putin is only interested in Eastern Ukraine (for now). For a start it is a lot flatter than the more westerly parts, and thus easier to defend from insurgents.

But also, maybe precisely because it is so flat, it constitutes the majority of arable land in Ukraine. Apparently, Ukraine has a total population of c 40M but can grow enough wheat for 150M, food that Russia will now control.

[TheDude]

The UK needs to threaten to move all Russian oligarchs inside IR35 and this will be over tomorrow.

[agentzero]

I imagine Putin is only interested in Eastern Ukraine (for now). For a start it is a lot flatter than the more westerly parts, and thus easier to defend from insurgents.

But also, maybe precisely because it is so flat, it constitutes the majority of arable land in Ukraine. Apparently, Ukraine has a total population of c 40M but can grow enough wheat for 150M, food that Russia will now control.

Kiev isn't in eastern Ukraine. Plans, helicopters, and drones with army insignia identifiers removed have been flying and firing towards western Ukraine too.

As for the food comment: not in terms of international law. The land still belongs to Ukraine. I expect this to remain as such, given the way in which Russia has behaved these last 2 days.

[Paddy]

I imagine Putin is only interested in Eastern Ukraine (for now). For a start it is a lot flatter than the more westerly parts, and thus easier to defend from insurgents.

But also, maybe precisely because it is so flat, it constitutes the majority of arable land in Ukraine. Apparently, Ukraine has a total population of c 40M but can grow enough wheat for 150M, food that Russia will now control.

Logic would point towards Putin only being interested in Eastern Ukraine but even the current incursion is an over-reaction to the situation that could have been solved diplomatically. Furthermore, Putin's speech mentioned indirectly the overthrow of the current Ukrainian government.

[_V_]

Pheww, that's alright then.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-ne...-tells-taiwan/