Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Actually it is probably one of the most important questions to ask. Supermarkets were open in Kiev yesterday, don't know about today. I do remember that Sarajevo was under seige for years and people stood in lines at shops in areas where a former Olympic target shooting competitor was taking potshots at them.

War is a strange thing. They are defiant and will hold. Most of them have made peace to fight to the death, if it may be. With that comes clarity and a sense of calm. I was talking to my English mate yesterday and he was saying it's suicide, if it was him he would surrender.

I was saying I would fight. I know I would fight given the feelings this is stirring inside me and I think most Irish people probably are the same. This is a trait that has passed through the generations. In my opinion, the historically oppressed have more WILL to fight in them than the oppressor who just expect the easy win. An that will, belief and defiance can inflict some serious damage.

Seen pictures of off licences handing out alcohol and beer bottles to make molotov cocktails.

Ha. Balls like a bengal tiger on the Ukrainian president. Whatever happens I thinks it’s a fairly safe bet that his name will be put on streets or squares in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine after this.

A quick look through Ukrainian history history will tell you that is unlikely that they will just roll over.

Jesus, they'd have to empty them first if that didn't that here 😂

These sanctions are overdue and won't give a quick result. Russia has prepared for a war, has lots of resources planned way ahead. West is still sleeping with serious sanctions. There are oligarchs living in the EU and the UK who have close contacts with Cremlin. They should be deported if serious reasons found. Don't forget that Europe is still feeding Russia buying gas and other resources. Swift and other tools are already too little too late. Europe, especially Germany who had an agreement about the Nordstream, have blood on their hands now too and the West can now blame themselves for not putting enough effort to understand how aggressive, dangerous and unpredictable Russia is. Eastern European countries was telling that to NATO for all of these years but West through East was overreacting and stayed calm, civil and slow to react. All of that ignorance has lead now to the situation that NATO doesn't want to defend Ukraine as they're afraid of initiating a WW3. They try to be again civil and slow to react, want to measure and assess the situation first. US doesn't seem to care much either. But we are again forgetting that Putin doesn't care what others thing of him. He's a maniac and likes the power. He has access to the buttons launch the bombs on Europe. And he wouldn't care much when to use these guns - before or after NATO steps in.

If we fail to give enough resources to Ukraine (which should now be read as Europe), we risk to see the day when Russian army crosses the NATO territories.

Just a quick fact. Ireland isn't a full rights member of NATO, just have a special agreement with a sponsorship so Ireland should immediately increase its input to better support NATO and the Ukraine. I'm glad seeing the Irish government speaking up and politically support the Ukraine's sovereignty.

Add soap for Napam. It is going to be horrifying. There is a lot of talk about "taking" cities, and Maripol falling already. It has not started yet, you know the Russians have only skirted the edge of cities so far because taking a city involves clearing 1 house at a time. What needs to be understood is that there are 4 or 5 cities larger than Dublin in Ukraine and many more larger than Cork. Every 2nd or third house will have either a soldier or civilian with rifles or molotov cocktails in them. The fight will depend on the willingness of ordinary Ukrainians to use them.

Unfortunately they're the Chelsea colours so can't see that happening.

Russia sent in their badgeless little green men into Ukraine in 2014. I wouldn't be surprised if there are Little Green Poles in there too, or special forces.

The Moldovan government know full well they are next on the list. It's not even a case of choosing not to poke the bear, they know they are next. It would probably be an astute thing to send their troops in to defend Odessa.

So, Swan Lake at the Helix has been cancelled.

What about the Bord Gais Energy Theatre & the St Petersburg Ballet?

It would be a travesty if they did not cancel as well.

One thing to note.

NATO's summit yesterday was virtual.

Orbán went out of his way to show up in person, the only leader to, he basically fawned all over Stoltenberg

I imagine he knows now any patience for his tomfúckery going into the future is gone.

Nothing like the actions of an actual psychopathic dictator to scare a wannabe straight.