Russia - threadbanned users in OP

For an economy that is about a third smaller than Italy's, they have hundreds of billions of dollars of assets that have just been frozen, not a paltry amount (France estimates around 1 trillion blocked now, including half the reserve "war-chest"). Internationally Russian assets and the rouble are toxic now, it's value at a record low, their key banks share values have collapsed almost entirely, international credit is frozen to them, most major corporations have stopped doing business with them, the main container shipping groups have cut them off, main airliners have cut them off, they have been forced to keep their stock market closed for a week (it was down 40% last week, an eye-watering amount, I think it's a world record), modern manufacturing is complex requiring international supplies - suppliers are being drastically cut by the day. We'll probably see them go into default on their interest payments, which will make them toxic even to allies in Asia. Even the Kremlin, pathological liars and propagandists, have been forced to admit their economy is taking a battering from this. Keep in mind we're just 9 days in. They'll survive and get by, but yes, over the months their economy is only going to get worse.

Putin wants a Soviet empire, so he'll get a Soviet style economy. Maybe the increasingly poor Russian populace will see Putin in his glittering yacht and one billion holiday home and decide it's time for another Russian revolution..

But the principles of MAD were clearly understood by all, ( and adhered to) and now we have a crazy barsteward who may just might use them. Attacking a big Nuclear Power plant is proof enough of how far he is prepared to go.

Not sure if this has been posted already:-

I dont agree, Putin knows he cant go into a NATO country, well, what I mean is, the reason the West would allow Ukraine to be overrun by Putin is the same reason Putin wont enter NATO. I think this narrative of him having lost the plot entirely is wrong. In hindsight he has been clearly planning this for a very long time.

Its the unwritten rules (or perhaps written???) of what you're allowed or not allowed do. It seems that supplying arms and providing intelligence doesnt break the rules, but direct conflict does. If the West stays out of it I dont believe it'll escalate as it would be basically suicide for Putin to invade because then all bets are off.

Well this ruined my day. No offence to yourself posting it.

im addicted to watching this absolute clusterfuck unfold.

that cvNt needs to be stopped I hope he **** burns in hell.

This thread is depressing the life out of me need to stop reading it but can’t.

watched the power plant unfold on live stream last night. These terrorist need to die quickly.

My heart goes out to Ukraine, europe and the decent Russian people opposing this.

My partner is pregnant and all I can think of is how bad my timing was I can’t even enjoy the excitement as I fear the future too much. **** you putin. **** you very much.

Firstly its fox news and secondly the plant is about as close to Moscow as it is to Warsaw in Poland, they would be hurting themselves just as much if not more by triggering anything.

All currency reserves held for the Russian central bank outside of Russia should be used to help Ukraine.

The bombing of the nuclear plant should have brought missle drops on that group from europe. Waiting and watching happen what you fear most happening is crazy

The Czech Foreign Affairs Minister, what do they consider "decisiveness and unity" I wonder, bear in mind Spain's equivalent has said earlier today that NATO is to discuss possible involvement now

Great start to the weekend….

There are 2 hopes of that happening.

Strange though it may seem, but not all regret the fall of communism,,,I know several Russian's who pray for its return. 2nd biggest political part in Russia after Putins United Russia party is the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. One colleague was telling me that under the Communists, she was able to take her Family to Sochi twice a year for holidays. Did not cost them a penny, transport, accomodation, food, health care etc. Now she says, under the Capitalist system, she cannot even afford one holiday a year in Sochi. So you can say that there is some mixture in Russian Society, and some are still more equal than others!!!

Just can't see NATO intervening. They'll weigh up the total destruction of Ukraine versus destruction of all of Europe and decide Ukraine isn't worth it.

Unless things like this mining of atomic power stations proves true (if it's on Fox it probably isn't) as that would suggest Europe is f*cked either way and the only option is to take Russia down.