Russia - threadbanned users in OP

It means they cannot even schedule the flight as they know it is already banned. It effectively knocks out huge tracts of the northern hemisphere and makes it impossible for Russian planes to fly anywhere within it.

Read the book and it's certainly an eye-opener.

For 20 years or so by now, Russian people have been trying to get rid of Putin....so far, he has defeated them all, and there's plenty of cases of sudden deaths, mysterious vanishings and long term prison sentences for those who have crossed him. It would have been done a long time ago, if the Russians themselves could have done it. Now maybe ( but its not a given) that the circumstances have radically changed, his career might be nearing its end.

They seem to be targeting the infrastructure now - TV tower in Kiev, power plants, mobile phone link towers. And government buildings in Kharkiv. Going to be harder for defenders if there is no power or water, and if command structures are disrupted. If they can surround Kyiv (and keep Kharkiv surrounded), while advancing in other places, then the Russians might have an advantage. You'd think the Russians don't want street to street fighting in the bigger cities.

But Ukraine is getting more weapons delivered, and they did start mobilising after the attack, which means new units are being formed all the time - if they can get them into play before there's any kind of collapse, then it's going to be bad for Russia.

I don't think there's anything that would absolutely *compel* NATO allies to move in the scenario that you describe.

However, if NATO allied don't respond, it's a green light to Russia and China that they can go in and take any bit of vulnerable territory they wish with no risk of direct confrontation. The USA, especially, would find itself toppling down the world pecking order with one decision

Okay it's late, I don't often post, but...

Well the defiance of the Ukraine people I think has shrunk all our balls a bit, I don't know if I would be so brave.

A part of me though now is like ok, F%ck Putin, call his bluff, spin the dice. Send in the F18's and bomb that convoy into particles.

Keep the football nearby, despots don't want to die either. I guess more measured heads than me are needed.

But if that F%cker gets away with this again we are all in trouble.

I know the quote, all that's needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing (Putin doesn't care about sanctions), it seems so apt in this case.

In the evenings when I'm staring into the fire, this breaks my heart.

Can you imagine the bravery it takes for a civilian ( a plumber, shop keeper etc ) to walk up to a Russian tank, the last thing you will see is the muzzle flash.

How does this end? I dunno.

Russian press is still talking even tonight about dismantling Ukraine or alternatively turning it into a puppet regime under Putin's control. These guys are beyond deluded - it's as if they are drinking the same kool aid as that crank in the Kremlin.

Thankfully, I dont think Russia have the capability to launch an all out war beyond Ukraine. I may have even over estimated their military myself. Although they were not using all their forces and the full power of their artillery and airforce yet, they seem devoid of morale already, disorganised, terrible logistics and poor strategy. Add on top of this their already tinpot economy is in ruins and will only get worse. No huge fanatical support domestically for this war or others either. Theyre in no position for a large protracted war never mind against nato.

Unfortunately vlad has nukes, which he is unlikely to use and he also will cause damage and many deaths in this invasion of ukraine before its over either way.

Well he pays their wages in fairness - could not expect anything but propaganda - beyond a joke watching them waffle off the garbage of faux accusations of war crimes and nazis. The Journalists that remain with RT after this conflict is over (regardless of how it ends) should never be employed in journalism again

How does it end? IMHO there is still a chance of a de-escalation - the trouble is the more time passes the more it becomes impossible for Putin to pull back from the brink - politically he has tied his faith to this war. Either Kiev Falls, or he falls. Or, preferably, someone does the honorable thing. Walks him to the Lubyanka - and ends this. Its horrifying that this is where we are.

• What does a nuclear strike mean for Ireland, how far reaching would a strike on the middle of Europe be. I don't think the UFO's would allow a nuke to be fire. They'd disarm it, have done before at Malmstrom Air Force

Ukraine v Russia tennis match about to start, crazy