[OFFICIAL] Ukraine Thread

[DealorNoDeal]

The BBC is running scare stories about Putins nuclear options:

"Putin's in a tight spot," believes Moscow-based defence analyst Pavel Felgenhauer. "He doesn't have many options left, once the West freezes the assets of the Russian Central bank and Russia's financial system actually implodes. That will make the system unworkable.

"One option for him is to cut gas supplies to Europe, hoping that will make the Europeans climb down. Another option is to explode a nuclear weapon somewhere over the North Sea between Britain and Denmark and see what happens."

If Vladimir Putin did choose a nuclear option, would anyone in his close circle try to dissuade him? Or stop him?

"Russia's political elites are never with the people," says Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov. "They always take the side of the ruler."

And in Vladimir Putin's Russia the ruler is all-powerful. This is a country with few checks and balances; it's the Kremlin that calls the shots.

"No one is ready to stand up to Putin," says Pavel Felgenhauer. "We're in a dangerous spot.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60551140

[DealorNoDeal]

They might need to change the clock.

https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/current-time

[ladymuck]

The BBC is running scare stories about Putins nuclear options:

"Putin's in a tight spot," believes Moscow-based defence analyst Pavel Felgenhauer. "He doesn't have many options left, once the West freezes the assets of the Russian Central bank and Russia's financial system actually implodes. That will make the system unworkable.

"One option for him is to cut gas supplies to Europe, hoping that will make the Europeans climb down. Another option is to explode a nuclear weapon somewhere over the North Sea between Britain and Denmark and see what happens."

If Vladimir Putin did choose a nuclear option, would anyone in his close circle try to dissuade him? Or stop him?

"Russia's political elites are never with the people," says Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov. "They always take the side of the ruler."

And in Vladimir Putin's Russia the ruler is all-powerful. This is a country with few checks and balances; it's the Kremlin that calls the shots.

"No one is ready to stand up to Putin," says Pavel Felgenhauer. "We're in a dangerous spot.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60551140

I'm assuming that was written before the Defence Secretary came onto the Today programme around 8.15 this morning? He was far more measured in what it means, saying that the words used were different from normal Russian 'modes' of standup/engagement.

I was half asleep but I picked up enough to know that sending a nuke is not going to happen this week.

[GJABS]

The BBC is running scare stories about Putins nuclear options:

Another option is to explode a nuclear weapon somewhere over the North Sea between Britain and Denmark and see what happens."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60551140

I think that journalist must have watched the nuclear attack sequence in the 1980's nuclear war film "Threads". In which the first nuclear bomb on the west was at high altitude over the North Sea. This creates a powerful electromagnetic Pulse that knocks out all unprotected electrical equipment for hundreds of miles around.

Again my view is that it is exceedingly unlikely Putin would do this.

[Fraidycat]

I think that journalist must have watched the nuclear attack sequence in the 1980's nuclear war film "Threads". In which the first nuclear bomb on the west was at high altitude over the North Sea. This creates a powerful electromagnetic Pulse that knocks out all unprotected electrical equipment for hundreds of miles around.

Again my view is that it is exceedingly unlikely Putin would do this.

Not yet. But if the Russian economy completely collapses due to the Central Bank sanctions. Maybe the Russians will think an EMP to take out Europes electrical grids and economies is a valid retaliation.

[Paddy]

[WTFH]

I see that Boris is on the front line...




...in Brize Norton.

[SueEllen]

Wrong on two counts.
1. It was Kevin Foster, not BoJo
2. Ukrainians living in the UK will be able to bring close family members into the country without facing visa restrictions, ministers announced last night as they faced mounting criticism for not acting swiftly enough.

Do try to keep up (and accurate).

Yesterday day on BBC news your second point was proven to be untrue. A woman couldn't bring her mother in because her mother wasn't a dependent.

Listening to the radio this morning they are still arguing over both points, plus arguing how to get quotas from Poland and Romania.

They have also highlighted that African and Asian, mostly Indian, people - they seem to be students and include women - aren't being allowed to cross the Ukraine border to get to their embassies in those countries.

They are being turned back by Ukrainian soldiers and police.

Discussing this now

[NotAllThere]

The BBC is running scare stories about Putins nuclear options:

Not just the BBC. The Times and other news outlets. It's almost as if they're discussing the possibility in a sensible fashion.

[BlasterBates]

Nevermind stock market - they'll surely freeze foreign currency deposits - for locals also because they central bank got maybe 20 bln cash on hand and depositrs run to 90 bln USD.

Run on a bank tomorrow for sure.

Shares quoted on European markets still tradeable but now is the time to exit because if they get delisted they'll be frozen on the Moscow exchange.