buctootim

Probably is. The selling of oil and gas was specifically excluded from sanctions - in part because they would hit the west just as hard / harder than Russia and in part because you need to keep back a threat of things getting worse.

Russia cluster bombing residential areas in Kharkiv. We've moved into war crime territory.

Two main Russian language news outlets down - Izvestia and TASS. English translation below:

You think its logical that despite UK and EU closing airspace to all Russian aircraft and Russia doing same its okay for oligarchs to fly between UK and Russia because of where the plane is registered? Not sure that its Warrior who has the yawning gap.

It's hard to tell for sure because some of the vehicles are used by both Ukraine and Russia and ofc when they are burnt out the badging is gone. But some of the destroyed vehicles are only used by Russia. Its either all Russian or a mix of the two but I think from reading the comments its Russian armour destroyed by hit and run Ukrainian troops

This is pretty apocalyptic. Shows the scale of some of the fighting. https://www.facebook.com/UkrainianLandForces/videos/1351511025364877/

I( read a good analysis a few years ago arguing that the reason no-one has deposed Putin so far is because so many people owe their wealth and power directly to him - Putin is very good at preventing cliques or groups which might challenge him. Many don't like him but also don't like / trust each other - which means they can't agree on a successor. Maybe that calculus is changing now

I'd like to think its a combination of factors - the military being restless with Putin's orders, the Russian population starting to realise what's going on and the realisation that financially they cant afford a long war. Hopefully that leads to Putin being deposed. I cant believe the military would actually launch nuclear war even if Putin told them to.

Here you go dippy. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-countries-made-up-the-former-soviet-union-ussr.html

So Russia and Ukraine were both equal status and level within the USSR. Good to know.

Agree. Boris has been almost statesmanlike. Its just a pity that it took him so long to shape up and my admiration is tempered by the knowledge he is using this Falklands moment to save his own skin.

Ah. Marvel's own Feeble Boy. Special power - never quite grasping it. Two simple points: 1. You don't need to be of the same nationality or born in the same country to work for an employer. English National Ballet have dancers of over 20 nationalities. 2. You and Badger are simply demonstrating that a) you dont know the different between the USSR and Russia despite Russia being only one state and accounting for only half the population. b) that you've fallen for Putin's lie that Ukraine, Georgia, the Baltics, Kazahstan etc aren't real countries. They are simply bits of land that Russia misplaced one day and will be along soon to reclaim. The opinion of their people isnt relevant or important. By your logic India, half of Africa and parts of China are still British and have no right to determine their own futures.

56 tankers destroyed near Chernihiv - presumably they were on their way to refuel the tanks waiting to attack Kyiv. Operational information as of 20:00 February 26 regarding the Russian invasion The Defense Forces of Ukraine give a worthy dividend to the aggressor in all operational areas. Yes, in the Polish direction the attack of the enemy is stopped at the border of Borodyanka, Bucha, Vyshgorod. The enemy's units partially lost their fear. In Siver region, the occupiers completed regrouping and continued the attack in order to block Kiev. Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hold back the zagarbnika. In the Chernihiv region, the defense of the state blew up the echelon that transported 56 tankers with dizpalivom. The opponent continues attempts to seize settlements in the Slobozhanskomu operating area, moving from Belgorod to Starobílsk. In the Volynsʹkomu operocíjnomu district the enemy is conducting demonstration actions. Thanks to the decisive division of the United Forces, the goal of the Russian Federation to reach the administrative borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions has not been achieved. In the south direction, the opponent managed to get out on the border of Skadovsk and the Holy Prystaní. The State Defense Forces together with the Territorial Defense Forces are fighting fierce battles to prevent the fortress on the left bank of the Dnipro River. We urge the volunteers of the terror defense of Kherson region and Mykolaiv region to resist aggression! In the Black Sea aquarium zenitnim missile unit of the Air Force of Ukraine destroyed Russian Su-30 cm. Russian special targets and dispersants, contrary to Geneva conventions and war rules, use civil infrastructure objects to cover up their actions. The martial spirit of Ukrainian soldiers is high! Instead the enemy's troops are demoralized, they run out of fuel and food supplies. The opponent is carrying significant losses. Yes, the estimated losses of personnel are over 3000 people, tanks - about 100, BBM - about 540, cannon - 15, ZRK "Buk" - 1, aircraft - 16, helicopters - 18. Also, the Russian occupiers massively leave the equipment and manage to escape. Victory will be ours! Together we will win #stoprussia Генеральний штаб ЗСУ / General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=627309488362102 This one is real if its any consolation

I don't see how 'selected Russian banks' would work though. Surely the banned ones would just transfer through the unbanned ones? Isn't it all or nothing? Fully admit I'm no global banker.

https://www.facebook.com/UkrainianLandForces/videos/685667732845631/ The NLAWs seem to work

I hope so. But if Zelenskiy and most of the leadership is killed a Ukrainian General could decide to surrender.

Yep I see the news has developed on from the initial story - which great news. Nonetheless it might be too little too late inf Kyiv falls tonight.

I was wondering why I hadnt seen any pictures of fuel tankers

Stop trying to claim its okay to not know what youre talking about because you assume everybody else is as ignorant as you. I made this statement "They arent former Russian states, at least not in the past 100 years " which is incontrovertibly true. You tried to be smug and correct me, got it wrong and now are trying to backtrack. Get yourself some balls like the Ukrainians, apologise and then stfu.

For you they might be - but that's because you don't know history. Some of the most influential leaders of the Soviet Union weren't Russian. Stalin was Georgian, Brezhnev was Ukrainian and Kruschev was also an ethnic Ukrainian born 10 miles inside Russia

True. I'm sure there is a lot more going on - but Germany held up supply of weapons for months, prevaricated on Nord stream 2, are still using Nord stream 1, have objected to kicking Russia out of SWIFT and blocked Ukraine from joining NATO - anyone of which might have stopped the invasion. They effectively have blood on their hands and a hell of a lot to make up for imo.

Wow. You're in Weston levels of ignorance. Russia was just one of 15 states in the Soviet Union. Just like Britain was one of 27 in the EU. If you don't know the difference then I suggest you read more instead of throwing a hissy fit at me.

200 rpg launchers - a token shipment of an outdated weapon