Russia - threadbanned users in OP

I wasn't referring to you. I thought your post was good and agreed completely.

Sorry but this is kind of bullsh*t from Estonia. What next, men fleeing Afghanistan or Syria are told to stay where they are and go out on the street and protest against the Taliban or Assad?

There has to be a distinction between people who are fleeing only because they don't want to fight, and people who genuinely oppose the war and government - the latter deserve asylum, they risk a lengthy jail sentence if not.

I get the feeling that guy is going to be laughing his socks off about that for many years to come 😁

Oh, I was in no way making any suggestion that 'the next guy' would be better than Putin.

Consider Nature Vs Nurture - a 'good' person growing up and living in a sick society has so many more opportunities to fall from grace, and once you've fallen, it's easier to keep falling down than to claw your way back up again.

Ohh ok in that case I apologise.

I didn't see anyone else posting that so assumed you meant me. I must have missed it.

He's written books which a considerable number of people have claimed have really helped them straighten themselves out, and that's commendable, but it seems some of Peterson's words and ideas have been appropriated by the far right and that's given him an association with that end of the political spectrum. He's not doing himself any favours in regards to distancing himself from that by throwing his two cents in on every culture war topic going.

I agree that this war is terrible and that Ukraine in ruins is not much of a victory, but I find it annoying that the hand wringing over it so often comes from the point of view of the pressure being on Ukraine and the West to end the war, as if they started it or something, and conveniently ignores the fact that the war would end tomorrow were Russian forces just to fúck off back home, like they should.

What ever happened to those who worked at that tv channel that was closed down back in February? They and the others who protested about the war at the beginning would deserve protection but I guess many of them were carted off never to be heard of again.

I am conflicted over it. Such asylum was a very difficult thing to get back in the Cold war. In some ways, the situation that now exists between EU-Russia is worse than that. Why is the EU obliged to just let Russian's (citizens of a hostile state) in who show up at the border now, after their damascene conversion about the evils of the Ukraine war?

They can go to Turkey or Israel or whatever, most of them able to flee at a moments notice now Putin's making moves to call them up for war probably have the money to do that. Why is the EUs job to be the bolt-hole for everyone on earth fleeing these scumbag dictators? All the while we get abused and threatened with war by these dictators and strong men on the regular, while majority of citizens in these places either keep the head well down or even cheer on the revisionism/revanchism and militarism (until the dictator turns on them or their family of course)!

Germany could say that they will accept Russian refugees, but such is their security concerns that the refugees will have to live in secure camps where they will receive basic amenities in return for labour geared towards humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

Now, yes, camps in Germany housing an ethnic minority? Not a fantastic look, given the history of that, but these are extraordinary times.

It would, of course, be easier just to not accept any Russian, but that begs the question do those people stay in Russia and protest the war, or does Russia gain any advantage by sending them to be cannon fodder?

No, there was an alternative tv channel. I’ll have to go back this thread to the first days of the invasion to find what it was called.

Edit: it was the Russian authorities that went in to their studio and physically removed them.

Considering the hostility that has been expressed towards Estonia historically as well as now from Russia i think Estonia are doing the right thing.

I can't see how from a security perspective, with the very real prospect that they will be attacked, they can allow large numbers of Russian men have sanctuary there.

Yes, you're right the more that refuse a draft the better it is for Ukraine, and I don't hold each and every Russian collectively responsible for this war.

Just don't think the EU needs to be taking risks and letting them in en masse (everyone who shows up at the border claiming asylum from Putin, because they might be drafted tomorrow!).

There are many other places they can go in the world (though they are less cozy, easygoing and accommodating than EU countries) and other (though admittedly more dangerous) ways to get out of fighting if it comes to it, or oppose the regime.

This is absurd. Overweight 50 year old supermarket workers in the Territorial Defence do not suddenly get mistaken for special forces and start performing like GI Joe.

I wouldn't be letting any of the Russian F*****s into this country. And I'd rounding up all Russians here inc our man in the embassy and kicking them out. Likewise Ukrainian males wanted for service in their country, immediate repatriation for them to do their bit as best they can.

Aviation update:

I've mentioned a few times here about the, almost forgotten, enclave that is Kaliningrad.

Kaliningrad is unique in that it is, in the eyes of Russia, a veritable "aircraft carrier/missile platform" in a perfect strategic position in Europe, but also a particularly vulnerable one.

Airtraffic, both commercial and military, has increased exponentially into Kaliningrad over the last few weeks, with thousands of tonnes of equipment being shipped along a very circular route over the Baltic. ( Lithuania stopped all rail transits from Russia to Kaliningrad)

This morning, NATO surveillance flights all around Kaliningrad have tripled, with everything from 2 x Swedish ELINT platforms over the Baltic Sea, A US army SIGNIT King Air to the North, an RAF RC-135 conducting a complete, encircling sweep of the Enclave, which it has never done, plus numerous refuelling and support Aircraft, all in operation around the area.

Something very interesting is happening here. Kaliningrad is known to have upgraded and increased its nuclear ballistic missile facilities and is now hosting a flight of Mig-31's, among others. The Migs carry the Kinzhal nuclear-tipped hypersonic missile.

In my opinion, if a tactical nuke was to be deployed by Russia, this is how it would be done. Hence the massively increased surveillance of Kaliningrad currently underway. Please see below: