What we really need is some of those semi-mythical accounts of UFO's shutting down nuclear weapon systems. One or two of those accounts are quite interesting - where's Moonshine when you need him to discuss the details.
He's had to taker a quick trip back to Vulcan (family reasons). Should be back tomorrow evening via the intergalactic wormhole.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
Like you, Nick, I didn't think Putin was crazy enough to invade but I did think that if he went for it, he would have at least taken the capital by now. So each day it survives is a victory for the defenders. Each day there is more help from outside.
I began with a little hope, and now have a little more, but still difficult to see where this all ends.
"Former Air Force officer, Robert Salas, was the on-duty commander of an underground launch control facility assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, on March 24, 1967. He has publicly stated over a span of twenty-five years, that all ten of his ICBMs became inoperable and that eight days earlier, on March 16, 1967, a similar incident occurred at another missile launch control facility."
The only problem with continuing to allow this Putin-bot to post here is that it can be referenced by Putin's propagandists as demonstrating that Western opinion is divided and not entirely against him.
I'm not proposing a course of action, just suggesting a possible consequence.
I don't think Putin's propangadists reporting the odd (ok very odd) dissenting voice on PB.com is going to crumble Ukrainian resistance tbh.
Just a question - where does Russia get its food from?
Ukraine mainly
I presume @IshmaelZ that you've comprehensively apologised for your comments last night?
Look. I-- I'd had a lovely supper, and all I said to my wife was, 'That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah.'
I can only repeat my reply to a previous hon gent, adding the observation that I have always loved the Dylan line "It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe."
"Not a word I knew till 2 minutes ago, but apparently used only as an ethnic slur. And what is this "normally considered fair game" shit? I mean, yes, we are all on the Ukr side, but you sound like a Victorian gent reading the ticker in his club and hoping the North is giving the niggers a dam' good pasting."
you are literally too stupid to read that as a condemnation of ethnic slurs? Literally? Really really? Genuinely? Not kidding?
The point of PB used to be the very high level of intelligence one could expect from one's readership. Those were the days.
How can you judge my level of stupidity?
By the content of your posts, duh. Including this one.
No thoughts about an apology then? No contritian? I guess you're busy with apparently being the most intelligent person in the world and owning half on England?
Yawn
You can really not see that saying in effect "That remark is as offensively racist as saying what you probably call the N word because that's the kind of moron you are" is not a racist thing to say? In which case it seems pointless to even get started on the Predator thing, but in a nutshell: the people he is addressing are not the F word, everyone knows that, it turns out later that he actually is.
And you ask how I can judge your level of stupidity. How would I not be able to, when I can read and assess your output on here? How else would I do it, short of pming you an IQ test and urging you not to cheat?
You seem to be confusing me with 'everybody' and quoting as such.
I'm enchanted that you pay so much attention to my posts as to have a view.
I don't know you from Adam. Your 3 or 4 posts addressed to me this evening tell me all I need to know. You have yet to make a case about wtf I am meant to be apologising for.
Apologise. Properly Apologise. It's not that hard, and you definitely know you should.
What for?
Because you have been rude and unpleasant to many, used widly offensive terms and claimed ridiculous cover, and generally been not the citizen of PB ought to be.
We are relying on the tact and diplomatic finesse of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
No we aren't.
The time for tact was before Russia invaded. Macron tried that and it was a disaster (no objection to him trying).
Boris has been through this wonderfully blunt and untactful. Between Macron and Boris there was a good cop/bad cop dynamic.
That last thing that is needed at the minute is tact.
You lived through the dick-shrivelling embarrassment of Lizzie Goes To Moscow, and you are still prepared to have a pop at Macron?
He is an absolute moron
Is anyone not a moron in your eyes, aside from yourself and in-the-pay-of-Russia-sex-pest Salmond?
(Gets ready for the usual stream of ill-directed verbal diarrhoea).
you flatter yourself , go get a life saddo. Ill-educated troll.
Usual stream - tick
ill-directed - tick
verbal diarrhoea - tick
How sad get one get, now F**k off and bore someone else to death, you ignorant cretin.
If only you took your insults and followed your own advice.
Oh Dear Mr Blowhard joins the fray. You know you are in trouble when you are only supported by the W-eak one. Gives us a few of your usual boasts about what a big shot you are , make us laugh some more.
I don’t remember boosting - I remember pointing out that your arguments are so weak all you have is insults.
The pub bore that hasn’t realised he’s drunk his brains away
Dear dear , is that the best you can manage. That from the cretin who said I had dementia. Go fuck yourself you moronic shitpot.
As I said in my first post, if all youve got is insults what’s the point in posting.
Btw for reference this is my mental image of you (probably taken on one of your better days)
Get carted you sleazy shitpot, hopefully you get your comeuppance , nasty creaturees like you who wish ill on people deserve all you get. Now F*** off and pester someone who gives a shit, you lowlife bottom feeder. PS: So great at the IT you boast about that you cannot even post an image , says it all.
Just a question - where does Russia get its food from?
Ukraine mainly
I presume @IshmaelZ that you've comprehensively apologised for your comments last night?
Look. I-- I'd had a lovely supper, and all I said to my wife was, 'That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah.'
I can only repeat my reply to a previous hon gent, adding the observation that I have always loved the Dylan line "It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe."
"Not a word I knew till 2 minutes ago, but apparently used only as an ethnic slur. And what is this "normally considered fair game" shit? I mean, yes, we are all on the Ukr side, but you sound like a Victorian gent reading the ticker in his club and hoping the North is giving the niggers a dam' good pasting."
you are literally too stupid to read that as a condemnation of ethnic slurs? Literally? Really really? Genuinely? Not kidding?
The point of PB used to be the very high level of intelligence one could expect from one's readership. Those were the days.
How can you judge my level of stupidity?
By the content of your posts, duh. Including this one.
No thoughts about an apology then? No contritian? I guess you're busy with apparently being the most intelligent person in the world and owning half on England?
Yawn
You can really not see that saying in effect "That remark is as offensively racist as saying what you probably call the N word because that's the kind of moron you are" is not a racist thing to say? In which case it seems pointless to even get started on the Predator thing, but in a nutshell: the people he is addressing are not the F word, everyone knows that, it turns out later that he actually is.
And you ask how I can judge your level of stupidity. How would I not be able to, when I can read and assess your output on here? How else would I do it, short of pming you an IQ test and urging you not to cheat?
You seem to be confusing me with 'everybody' and quoting as such.
I'm enchanted that you pay so much attention to my posts as to have a view.
I don't know you from Adam. Your 3 or 4 posts addressed to me this evening tell me all I need to know. You have yet to make a case about wtf I am meant to be apologising for.
Apologise. Properly Apologise. It's not that hard, and you definitely know you should.
I don't think Ishmael and I agree on just about anything at all and we trade insults as freely as the flowing stream but having seen his reqoute of what he said last night - even in a drunken state - I really can't honestly say that it is open to any other interpretation than the one he puts on it. I don't see he has anything to apologise for in that.
And we shall now return to me insulting him as usual.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Faslane is on the edge of the Highlands though.
Apparently one of the reasons it was selected is that it has about the highest amount of cloud cover in the UK.
A poor decision. Just ban them, as the IOC should have done after the doping scandal. Allowing them to compete under some ludicrous flag of convenience is sh*t.
I think them turning up to be booed and have the opposing team walk off might be worth it….but no one is going to play them….and Russia won’t be in the next Olympics either…
They should add FIFA to the sanctions list, useless bunch of troughers.
Malcolm, at last - a post that everyone can agree with!
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
I think peak ukrainian resistance is over
Don't forget to stop posting for an hour or so in order to queue at an ATM to get the last of the roubles from your account before banking ceases in Moscow.
Will he have many Roubles? In terms of subverting PB to Putin's will he is clearly sub-par.
I am disappointed that PB only rates such a sad apologist. I had expected the cyber equivalent of crack troops!
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
We are relying on the tact and diplomatic finesse of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
No we aren't.
The time for tact was before Russia invaded. Macron tried that and it was a disaster (no objection to him trying).
Boris has been through this wonderfully blunt and untactful. Between Macron and Boris there was a good cop/bad cop dynamic.
That last thing that is needed at the minute is tact.
You lived through the dick-shrivelling embarrassment of Lizzie Goes To Moscow, and you are still prepared to have a pop at Macron?
He is an absolute moron
Is anyone not a moron in your eyes, aside from yourself and in-the-pay-of-Russia-sex-pest Salmond?
(Gets ready for the usual stream of ill-directed verbal diarrhoea).
you flatter yourself , go get a life saddo. Ill-educated troll.
Usual stream - tick
ill-directed - tick
verbal diarrhoea - tick
How sad get one get, now F**k off and bore someone else to death, you ignorant cretin.
If only you took your insults and followed your own advice.
Oh Dear Mr Blowhard joins the fray. You know you are in trouble when you are only supported by the W-eak one. Gives us a few of your usual boasts about what a big shot you are , make us laugh some more.
I don’t remember boosting - I remember pointing out that your arguments are so weak all you have is insults.
The pub bore that hasn’t realised he’s drunk his brains away
Dear dear , is that the best you can manage. That from the cretin who said I had dementia. Go fuck yourself you moronic shitpot.
As I said in my first post, if all youve got is insults what’s the point in posting.
Btw for reference this is my mental image of you (probably taken on one of your better days)
Get carted you sleazy shitpot, hopefully you get your comeuppance , nasty creaturees like you who wish ill on people deserve all you get. Now F*** off and pester someone who gives a shit, you lowlife bottom feeder.
Oh btw, I checked this month's pay slip and just under "Income tax", "Student loan" and "Cycle to work" there is something called "Malc's state pension".
This evening I went to Ukrainian church in London to pray snd join them in the Holy Mass. The Mass ended with a prayer for Peace in English and after that what a surprise Boris Johnson come and gave a talk in solidarity with Ukrainian people and lighted a candle.
Just a question - where does Russia get its food from?
Ukraine mainly
I presume @IshmaelZ that you've comprehensively apologised for your comments last night?
Look. I-- I'd had a lovely supper, and all I said to my wife was, 'That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah.'
I can only repeat my reply to a previous hon gent, adding the observation that I have always loved the Dylan line "It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe."
"Not a word I knew till 2 minutes ago, but apparently used only as an ethnic slur. And what is this "normally considered fair game" shit? I mean, yes, we are all on the Ukr side, but you sound like a Victorian gent reading the ticker in his club and hoping the North is giving the niggers a dam' good pasting."
you are literally too stupid to read that as a condemnation of ethnic slurs? Literally? Really really? Genuinely? Not kidding?
The point of PB used to be the very high level of intelligence one could expect from one's readership. Those were the days.
How can you judge my level of stupidity?
By the content of your posts, duh. Including this one.
No thoughts about an apology then? No contritian? I guess you're busy with apparently being the most intelligent person in the world and owning half on England?
Yawn
You can really not see that saying in effect "That remark is as offensively racist as saying what you probably call the N word because that's the kind of moron you are" is not a racist thing to say? In which case it seems pointless to even get started on the Predator thing, but in a nutshell: the people he is addressing are not the F word, everyone knows that, it turns out later that he actually is.
And you ask how I can judge your level of stupidity. How would I not be able to, when I can read and assess your output on here? How else would I do it, short of pming you an IQ test and urging you not to cheat?
You seem to be confusing me with 'everybody' and quoting as such.
I'm enchanted that you pay so much attention to my posts as to have a view.
I don't know you from Adam. Your 3 or 4 posts addressed to me this evening tell me all I need to know. You have yet to make a case about wtf I am meant to be apologising for.
Apologise. Properly Apologise. It's not that hard, and you definitely know you should.
I don't think Ishmael and I agree on just about anything at all and we trade insults as freely as the flowing stream but having seen his reqoute of what he said last night - even in a drunken state - I really can't honestly say that it is open to any other interpretation than the one he puts on it. I don't see he has anything to apologise for in that.
And we shall now return to me insulting him as usual.
The bastard.
Ok well thats fine. I thought it was ugly and fit for no place with which I wish to be associated. We'll see what he says as to my last post.
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
I doubt that right now Putin gives a flying fig about them. If he's mad enough to be threatening nuclear warfare he's not about to say, 'no wait, some of my former colleagues might get hit.'
We are relying on the tact and diplomatic finesse of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
No we aren't.
The time for tact was before Russia invaded. Macron tried that and it was a disaster (no objection to him trying).
Boris has been through this wonderfully blunt and untactful. Between Macron and Boris there was a good cop/bad cop dynamic.
That last thing that is needed at the minute is tact.
You lived through the dick-shrivelling embarrassment of Lizzie Goes To Moscow, and you are still prepared to have a pop at Macron?
He is an absolute moron
Is anyone not a moron in your eyes, aside from yourself and in-the-pay-of-Russia-sex-pest Salmond?
(Gets ready for the usual stream of ill-directed verbal diarrhoea).
you flatter yourself , go get a life saddo. Ill-educated troll.
Usual stream - tick
ill-directed - tick
verbal diarrhoea - tick
How sad get one get, now F**k off and bore someone else to death, you ignorant cretin.
If only you took your insults and followed your own advice.
Oh Dear Mr Blowhard joins the fray. You know you are in trouble when you are only supported by the W-eak one. Gives us a few of your usual boasts about what a big shot you are , make us laugh some more.
I don’t remember boosting - I remember pointing out that your arguments are so weak all you have is insults.
The pub bore that hasn’t realised he’s drunk his brains away
Dear dear , is that the best you can manage. That from the cretin who said I had dementia. Go fuck yourself you moronic shitpot.
As I said in my first post, if all youve got is insults what’s the point in posting.
Btw for reference this is my mental image of you (probably taken on one of your better days)
Get carted you sleazy shitpot, hopefully you get your comeuppance , nasty creaturees like you who wish ill on people deserve all you get. Now F*** off and pester someone who gives a shit, you lowlife bottom feeder. PS: So great at the IT you boast about that you cannot even post an image , says it all.
Knew I should have stolen it from twitter - there you go
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
Surely Russia will eventually 'win', install a compliant government and then the conflict moves on to civil war. In the absence of a peace agreement or nuclear anhillation, what other realistic short to medium term outcomes are there?
My own interpretation of events is that the Ukranians have played an absolutely stunning propoganda war over the last week- intentionally or otherwise. It has already changed the course of European history in a profound way, in that it has united the whole of Europe against Russia. It could well also change the course of Russian history, time will tell.
Breaking news all routes out of Kiev blocked by the russians
You must be so pleased. The odds of large numbers of men women and children suffering agonising injury and death have just fallen dramatically.
Someone posted this about an hour ago, but great to have it confirmed at first hand.
Why have we kept the troll? Is it like how BigBrother employ protagonists to keep the show spunky? How much is RCS paying Leon to play the role of Putin’s Johnson?
I posted this morning I like to think Putin has been knocked off course and it’s disasterly slow, like it was disastrously slow taking Paris what cost Germans the First World War, yet, they seem to be cutting off and surrounding bits. How do we supply our friends munition and other supplies, air drops?
Do we know what Putin’s aims are or still guessing? I don’t think there is anyway he can achieve mission goals from this full scale invasion, how about you? That’s how I know him to be stupid.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
It feels like the aim was to have grabbed the water supply for Crimea, Donetsk and Lughansk (sp?) carve that out, but at the same time, grab Kiev and then use it as leverage to secure the other gains as a 'less bad' option.
That seems like a very big strategic miscalculation on the part of Russia, as 'incursions' had been all but accepted by America; it's the threat of total invasion that has really set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
I doubt that right now Putin gives a flying fig about them. If he's mad enough to be threatening nuclear warfare he's not about to say, 'no wait, some of my former colleagues might get hit.'
And only Essex is downwind…
Actually on the Star map parts of Essex, eg Clacton, would be safer in the aftermath of Russan nuclear attacks than 80% of England, south Wales and Glasgow and Edinburgh
Just a question - where does Russia get its food from?
Ukraine mainly
I presume @IshmaelZ that you've comprehensively apologised for your comments last night?
Look. I-- I'd had a lovely supper, and all I said to my wife was, 'That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah.'
I can only repeat my reply to a previous hon gent, adding the observation that I have always loved the Dylan line "It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe."
"Not a word I knew till 2 minutes ago, but apparently used only as an ethnic slur. And what is this "normally considered fair game" shit? I mean, yes, we are all on the Ukr side, but you sound like a Victorian gent reading the ticker in his club and hoping the North is giving the niggers a dam' good pasting."
you are literally too stupid to read that as a condemnation of ethnic slurs? Literally? Really really? Genuinely? Not kidding?
The point of PB used to be the very high level of intelligence one could expect from one's readership. Those were the days.
How can you judge my level of stupidity?
By the content of your posts, duh. Including this one.
No thoughts about an apology then? No contritian? I guess you're busy with apparently being the most intelligent person in the world and owning half on England?
Yawn
You can really not see that saying in effect "That remark is as offensively racist as saying what you probably call the N word because that's the kind of moron you are" is not a racist thing to say? In which case it seems pointless to even get started on the Predator thing, but in a nutshell: the people he is addressing are not the F word, everyone knows that, it turns out later that he actually is.
And you ask how I can judge your level of stupidity. How would I not be able to, when I can read and assess your output on here? How else would I do it, short of pming you an IQ test and urging you not to cheat?
You seem to be confusing me with 'everybody' and quoting as such.
I'm enchanted that you pay so much attention to my posts as to have a view.
I don't know you from Adam. Your 3 or 4 posts addressed to me this evening tell me all I need to know. You have yet to make a case about wtf I am meant to be apologising for.
Apologise. Properly Apologise. It's not that hard, and you definitely know you should.
I don't think Ishmael and I agree on just about anything at all and we trade insults as freely as the flowing stream but having seen his reqoute of what he said last night - even in a drunken state - I really can't honestly say that it is open to any other interpretation than the one he puts on it. I don't see he has anything to apologise for in that.
And we shall now return to me insulting him as usual.
The bastard.
Only a complete and utter c--t would post that, and plate tectonics has nothing to say about the definition of continent.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Also Yorkshire Moors! Although I think they'd knock that out with cruise missiles, as with Benbecula, Buchan etc.
Mid Wales would be an extremely dirty fight between Spetsnaz and what remained of the SAS.
This evening I went to Ukrainian church in London to pray snd join them in the Holy Mass. The Mass ended with a prayer for Peace in English and after that what a surprise Boris Johnson come and gave a talk in solidarity with Ukrainian people and lighted a candle.
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
I doubt that right now Putin gives a flying fig about them. If he's mad enough to be threatening nuclear warfare he's not about to say, 'no wait, some of my former colleagues might get hit.'
And only Essex is downwind…
Actually on the Star map parts of Essex, eg Clacton, would be safer in the aftermath of Russan nuclear attacks than 80% of England, south Wales and Glasgow and Edinburgh
And to be fair, many places like Milton Keynes would be radically improved.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
Like you, Nick, I didn't think Putin was crazy enough to invade but I did think that if he went for it, he would have at least taken the capital by now. So each day it survives is a victory for the defenders. Each day there is more help from outside.
I began with a little hope, and now have a little more, but still difficult to see where this all ends.
The problem for Russia is that the longer it goes on, the more entrenched world opinion against them becomes. If they'd taken Ukraine in a day, they could have argued, sotto voce, that the lack of resistance showed that the people welcomed the overthrow of the old corrupt regime.
The longer it goes on, the harder the fighting and the more civilians die, it will become harder to maintain that it is anything other than an unwanted invasion. Also add in that Ukraine might grow stronger as well, if it turns into a war of equipment attrition.
We are relying on the tact and diplomatic finesse of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
No we aren't.
The time for tact was before Russia invaded. Macron tried that and it was a disaster (no objection to him trying).
Boris has been through this wonderfully blunt and untactful. Between Macron and Boris there was a good cop/bad cop dynamic.
That last thing that is needed at the minute is tact.
You lived through the dick-shrivelling embarrassment of Lizzie Goes To Moscow, and you are still prepared to have a pop at Macron?
He is an absolute moron
Is anyone not a moron in your eyes, aside from yourself and in-the-pay-of-Russia-sex-pest Salmond?
(Gets ready for the usual stream of ill-directed verbal diarrhoea).
Moderator might want to have a think about that one.
It's true, though, isn't it? Or does Swedish society have different norms when it comes to the way they treat women?
Is it unprovoked racial smear night?
I'm not sure you should be protesting tongue in cheek comments like this given your language last night.
And Salmond's defence, afaik, was that his behaviour was unacceptable but not criminal.
You obviously don't know very much, I assume you are a spotty youth who does not read newspapers. Not guilty on all counts you dunderheided moron by a jury of mainly women. Get an education so you can read about stuff and understand what facts are.
Just a millennial with normal blood pressure Malc.
Well read the verdict , see who were lying through their teeth. NOT GUILTY on all charges despite the government and most others against him. A jury of his peers consisting of mainly women found him innocent on all charges.
They found “not proven” on one.
I think they call that "half out of 14" as a result
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
I doubt that right now Putin gives a flying fig about them. If he's mad enough to be threatening nuclear warfare he's not about to say, 'no wait, some of my former colleagues might get hit.'
And only Essex is downwind…
Actually on the Star map parts of Essex, eg Clacton, would be safer in the aftermath of Russan nuclear attacks than 80% of England, south Wales and Glasgow and Edinburgh
Add in the nuke strikes on Colchester (major army base), and things don’t look as good.
Speaking as one who’s Mum moved us to near Colchester in the early Eighties specifically to be close to a major target so as to ensure we wouldn’t be in the lingering-and-suffering category if the buckets of instant sunshine were opened.
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
Post of the day - I drop to 155 over 86.
Mad Vlad: "We nuke London then?"
Oligarch with his hands tight around Putin's balls: "My daughter lives there in a flat with friends all studying drama. No your fucking don't."
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
Yes you are correct Nick what you WANT to happen is not the same as what will happen
I think we can allow ourselves a cheer, though, that the invasion has gone much less well than we feared. Every day it goes on costs Vlad another $20bn. Every tank taken out of operation by the Ukrainians sets the Russians back. Five days ago, the fear was that the Ukraine would be the first domino, which would be followed by The Baltics, Georgia, Poland, Scandinavia... The heroism of the Ukrainians has made the second step that much more difficult for Vlad.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
If I was living in, say, Thailand then I would. I've craved getting back to nature and to the wild. Just not quite via this route.
I was watching Octopussy with my son earlier. Making our way through James Bond films.
I'd always considered the plot a bit far-fetched until today: you know, a deranged ex KGB officer who wants to set off a nuclear bomb in the west ...
Hope someone sensible somewhere is thinking about the endgame.
Indeed.
Putin needs an off-ramp, but I don’t think the west is in the mood to give him one.
Dangerous times.
Hard to imagine what kind of an off-ramp you can give to someone who has deliberately driven into an untenable position.
Personally I think there is much that could be offered: i) Ukraine agrees never to join NATO. (This is a bit phony because it was never going to do it anyway and doesn't need to now because it is de facto in anyway.) ii) Give up the Southern Oblasts. (You're not going to get them back anyway and they have large, awkward Russian minorities) iii) Let Russia keep the Crimea.
Now piss off please Mr Putin.
The trouble is that even if you give all of that it hardly compenates him for the cost of this mad adventure. He and his henchmen become pariahs. The Russian economy goes even further down the tubes. The Russian 'Empire' will never again increase an inch in the territory it holds. That's it - line in the sand. Russia stops where it is.
Net result is that Putin goes down as the craziest Russian since Rasputin and the country disappears down the toilet.
Not very appealing.
I don't see why Ukraine should agree never to join NATO when that's probably the main way in which they can avoid being invaded again in the future.
NATO wasn't exactly eagerly encouraging its application. A member whose territory has been invaded is a much bigger headache than a closely aligned neighbour, in terms of actions that would be required to be taken.
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
I doubt that right now Putin gives a flying fig about them. If he's mad enough to be threatening nuclear warfare he's not about to say, 'no wait, some of my former colleagues might get hit.'
And only Essex is downwind…
Actually on the Star map parts of Essex, eg Clacton, would be safer in the aftermath of Russan nuclear attacks than 80% of England, south Wales and Glasgow and Edinburgh
And to be fair, many places like Milton Keynes would be radically improved.
Why the hatred of MK? I have a friend who lives there, and it's not *that* bad. In fact, Gulliver's Kingdom/Land is rather good for a seven year old.
Have you actually been to MK? I mean, it's not a countryside pastiche with thatched cottages and ancient churches (except for the absorbed villages), but it's okay.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
There was nothing ignorant about my post this morning, we have submarines carrying Trident nuclear missiles on patrol 24/7 and obviously the UK PM would have to order a nuclear strike on major Russian cities using Trident nuclear missiles from his bunker within hours of any attack here and would do so.
This evening I went to Ukrainian church in London to pray snd join them in the Holy Mass. The Mass ended with a prayer for Peace in English and after that what a surprise Boris Johnson come and gave a talk in solidarity with Ukrainian people and lighted a candle.
Yes, and he's doing a good job. Big Dog seems to be getting his mojo back. I'm not angry or particularly overjoyed at this turn of events, but it's interesting.
Breaking news all routes out of Kiev blocked by the russians
You must be so pleased. The odds of large numbers of men women and children suffering agonising injury and death have just fallen dramatically.
Someone posted this about an hour ago, but great to have it confirmed at first hand.
That was a sick disgusting post
Ah, but you telling everyone the Ukrainians should, in essence, lay down and accept brutal occupation or else face even worse violence (and that this was completely justified because of Russia's 'concerns'), that was just being polite?
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
I think peak ukrainian resistance is over
Its an allegation bandied about far too often, but we genuinely have our own Comical Ali here.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
Like you, Nick, I didn't think Putin was crazy enough to invade but I did think that if he went for it, he would have at least taken the capital by now. So each day it survives is a victory for the defenders. Each day there is more help from outside.
I began with a little hope, and now have a little more, but still difficult to see where this all ends.
The problem for Russia is that the longer it goes on, the more entrenched world opinion against them becomes. If they'd taken Ukraine in a day, they could have argued, sotto voce, that the lack of resistance showed that the people welcomed the overthrow of the old corrupt regime.
The longer it goes on, the harder the fighting and the more civilians die, it will become harder to maintain that it is anything other than an unwanted invasion. Also add in that Ukraine might grow stronger as well, if it turns into a war of equipment attrition.
I do wonder whether more of the Eastern countries might hand over more of their old Soviet equipment, as that will be far easier to assimilate into the Ukraine forces to requip or fill the gaps.
There are still a lot of MIGs and Sukhois in use in various countries.
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
Post of the day - I drop to 155 over 86.
Mad Vlad: "We nuke London then?"
Oligarch with his hands tight around Putin's balls: "My daughter lives there in a flat with friends all studying drama. No your fucking don't."
Maybe that was the cunning plan by the UK government all along...no need for expensive trident subs, when you have a load of Russian Oligarchs daughters as human shields.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
LOL! 👍
And playing so many post apocalypse sci fi games too. Survival genre, or Fallout series etc
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
I doubt that right now Putin gives a flying fig about them. If he's mad enough to be threatening nuclear warfare he's not about to say, 'no wait, some of my former colleagues might get hit.'
And only Essex is downwind…
Actually on the Star map parts of Essex, eg Clacton, would be safer in the aftermath of Russan nuclear attacks than 80% of England, south Wales and Glasgow and Edinburgh
And to be fair, many places like Milton Keynes would be radically improved.
Why the hatred of MK? I have a friend who lives there, and it's not *that* bad. In fact, Gulliver's Kingdom/Land is rather good for a seven year old.
Have you actually been to MK? I mean, it's not a countryside pastiche with thatched cottages and ancient churches (except for the absorbed villages), but it's okay.
Yes, when I was little we had family friends who lived there so we went repeatedly (though not often). Haven't been back lately.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
I think peak ukrainian resistance is over
Don't forget to stop posting for an hour or so in order to queue at an ATM to get the last of the roubles from your account before banking ceases in Moscow.
Will he have many Roubles? In terms of subverting PB to Putin's will he is clearly sub-par.
I am disappointed that PB only rates such a sad apologist. I had expected the cyber equivalent of crack troops!
Nah, @Leon's currently off on a jaunt business-trip to [insert somewhere that's paid the Times for a promotional puff-piece here]. Back soon.
A poor decision. Just ban them, as the IOC should have done after the doping scandal. Allowing them to compete under some ludicrous flag of convenience is sh*t.
It's hard to fathom why sometimes organisations seek an option that is more ludicrous than just doing nothing.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Philip K Dick - Dr Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb.
UPS and FedEx are stopping deliveries to Russia and Ukraine for now. So Vlad won't be able to make use of his Amazon Prime account to order the new Abba CD from Amazon.
How do these donated weapons get to where they’re needed .
Won’t they be sitting targets crossing by road once they enter Ukraine .
They already are being delivered across uncontested crossings by military and unmarked vehicles. A quick look at the map will tell you where. There is, however, no clarity on how much kit has been sent & how it is getting them to the front line, that methodology is unclear.
There has been no attempt to interfere with it, yet, but, sitting south of Brest, that group of Russian and shortly Belarus military (reportedly 5am local time for their entrance to the party) , might have something to say about it in time.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
There was nothing ignorant about my post this morning, we have submarines carrying Trident nuclear missiles on patrol 24/7 and obviously the UK PM would have to order a nuclear strike on major Russian cities using Trident nuclear missiles from his bunker within hours of any attack here and would do so.
#Breaking: Swiss President @IgnazioCassis says it is "very probable" that Switzerland will follow the European Union tomorrow in sanctioning Russia and its freezing assets.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Philip K Dick - Dr Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb.
What's the consensus these days on the impact of an all-out nuclear holocaust?
End of life on earth? The human race? Civilisation as we know it? The EU?
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
There was nothing ignorant about my post this morning, we have submarines carrying Trident nuclear missiles on patrol 24/7 and obviously the UK PM would have to order a nuclear strike on major Russian cities using Trident nuclear missiles from his bunker within hours of any attack here and would do so.
You are arguing Scottish geography with a Scot from your flat in Essex???
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Philip K Dick - Dr Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb.
What's the consensus these days on the impact of an all-out nuclear holocaust?
End of life on earth? The human race? Civilisation as we know it? The EU?
Or just the TV licence?
Civilisation in the Northern hemisphere but still with pockets of life. Better in the South. Humanity and the planet will both survive.
Edit - the TV licence will stay obviously. Great value for money apparently
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
Wow not your best post HYUFD. I was at Faslane in October. I can assure you it is indeed near the Highlands although I notice you have very, very, naughtily added the word 'central'!!!!
Faslane is at the top of Garelochhead and the start of the Trosachs.
Geologically Faslane is actually in the Highlands because the dividing line of the central belt runs along the Clyde, just south of Helensburgh.
Anyway, the point is that Faslane is very close to the Highlands, as I said. Geologically it's actually in them.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
There was nothing ignorant about my post this morning, we have submarines carrying Trident nuclear missiles on patrol 24/7 and obviously the UK PM would have to order a nuclear strike on major Russian cities using Trident nuclear missiles from his bunker within hours of any attack here and would do so.
We have a prevailing SW.
And as we saw from Chernobyl, you don't want to be somewhere where it rains a lot.
Would the Falklands be targeted? I suppose they might. Be surviving on seal blubber though.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
But you're a fucking genious knobby, aren't you?
Leave it, luv. I'm not wurf it.
No, I won't. I simply ask you to apologise and think very caerfully about why you're doing so.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely .
People are understandably hopeful about any good news, but for the most part I think people recognise the Russian's began in a very advantageous position and so the situation remains very difficult.
Just a note on nuclear war: a strike on London would kill all the Russian oligarchs and kleptokrats and their families based here, not to mention all their wealth stored in London property and banks forever, and they'll be well connected enough with the Kremlin for him to be well aware of that. They're not insane even if he is.
So, I'd treat threats like this with a pinch of salt.
Post of the day - I drop to 155 over 86.
Mad Vlad: "We nuke London then?"
Oligarch with his hands tight around Putin's balls: "My daughter lives there in a flat with friends all studying drama. No your fucking don't."
Maybe that was the cunning plan by the UK government all along...no need for expensive trident subs, when you have a load of Russian Oligarchs daughters as human shields.
To be sensible for a moment, I think this was part of the thinking in Germany. If we tie RU closely to EU through trade then there is no way they will let Putin or anyone else go mad on their watch and blow up the economics.
The Chinese are probably wondering the same thing tonight. Time to ditch Putin and his deluded, mystic fantasies and get back to some serious money making?
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
Wow not your best post HYUFD. I was at Faslane in October. I can assure you it is indeed near the Highlands although I notice you have very, very, naughtily added the word 'central'!!!!
Faslane is at the top of Garelochhead and the start of the Trosachs.
Geologically Faslane is actually in the Highlands because the dividing line of the central belt runs along the Clyde, just south of Helensburgh.
Anyway, the point is that Faslane is very close to the Highlands, as I said. Geologically it's actually in them.
What would be the central Highlands? Fort Augustus perhaps?
A poor decision. Just ban them, as the IOC should have done after the doping scandal. Allowing them to compete under some ludicrous flag of convenience is sh*t.
It's hard to fathom why sometimes organisations seek an option that is more ludicrous than just doing nothing.
It isn't hard at all. Money. And for the individuals, not the organisation.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Philip K Dick - Dr Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb.
What's the consensus these days on the impact of an all-out nuclear holocaust?
End of life on earth? The human race? Civilisation as we know it? The EU?
Or just the TV licence?
Civilisation in the Northern hemisphere but still with pockets of life. Better in the South. Humanity and the planet will both survive.
Edit - the TV licence will stay obviously. Great value for money apparently
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
If I was living in, say, Thailand then I would. I've craved getting back to nature and to the wild. Just not quite via this route.
I was watching Octopussy with my son earlier. Making our way through James Bond films.
I'd always considered the plot a bit far-fetched until today: you know, a deranged ex KGB officer who wants to set off a nuclear bomb in the west ...
There's probably a number of places in the world where one could continue post-apocalypse without it necessarily being post-apocalypse. Certainly though Britain isn't going to be one of those.
What we really need is some of those semi-mythical accounts of UFO's shutting down nuclear weapon systems. One or two of those accounts are quite interesting - where's Moonshine when you need him to discuss the details.
I am here. Was busy yesterday buying tinned and dry food. I’m still expecting cyber warfare to make life uncomfortable for us. Not planning for nuclear, what’s the point.
People irl have asked me about whether aliens would save us from nuclear war. I not aware of any evidence of aliens/ufo pilots taking any interest at all in reducing unnecessary human suffering century in the 20th century. Despite similar sightings to the tic tac being made at least as far back as WW2. Old stories about “angels” in the trenches in WW1 but not a lot of evidence to go on. Anyway perhaps if it’s Armageddon they’d take a different view and save us from ourselves, if we / life on earth are their creation for example. I wouldn’t hold out for it though. They could just wait a few half lives instead and try afresh.
And yes, there’s notable on the record accounts of UAP incidents coinciding with the sudden inexplicable disabling of nuclear weapons in both the U.S. and USSR. The story from the North Dakota silo particularly good. So they probably could if they wanted.
We are relying on the tact and diplomatic finesse of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
No we aren't.
The time for tact was before Russia invaded. Macron tried that and it was a disaster (no objection to him trying).
Boris has been through this wonderfully blunt and untactful. Between Macron and Boris there was a good cop/bad cop dynamic.
That last thing that is needed at the minute is tact.
You lived through the dick-shrivelling embarrassment of Lizzie Goes To Moscow, and you are still prepared to have a pop at Macron?
He is an absolute moron
Is anyone not a moron in your eyes, aside from yourself and in-the-pay-of-Russia-sex-pest Salmond?
(Gets ready for the usual stream of ill-directed verbal diarrhoea).
you flatter yourself , go get a life saddo. Ill-educated troll.
Usual stream - tick
ill-directed - tick
verbal diarrhoea - tick
How sad get one get, now F**k off and bore someone else to death, you ignorant cretin.
If only you took your insults and followed your own advice.
Oh Dear Mr Blowhard joins the fray. You know you are in trouble when you are only supported by the W-eak one. Gives us a few of your usual boasts about what a big shot you are , make us laugh some more.
I don’t remember boosting - I remember pointing out that your arguments are so weak all you have is insults.
The pub bore that hasn’t realised he’s drunk his brains away
Dear dear , is that the best you can manage. That from the cretin who said I had dementia. Go fuck yourself you moronic shitpot.
As I said in my first post, if all youve got is insults what’s the point in posting.
Btw for reference this is my mental image of you (probably taken on one of your better days)
Get carted you sleazy shitpot, hopefully you get your comeuppance , nasty creaturees like you who wish ill on people deserve all you get. Now F*** off and pester someone who gives a shit, you lowlife bottom feeder. PS: So great at the IT you boast about that you cannot even post an image , says it all.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
Surely Russia will eventually 'win', install a compliant government and then the conflict moves on to civil war. In the absence of a peace agreement or nuclear anhillation, what other realistic short to medium term outcomes are there?
My own interpretation of events is that the Ukranians have played an absolutely stunning propoganda war over the last week- intentionally or otherwise. It has already changed the course of European history in a profound way, in that it has united the whole of Europe against Russia. It could well also change the course of Russian history, time will tell.
There isn't enough locals to control the country leaving the Russians to have an occupation force to shore it up. They cannot deploy the sheer number of troops that they have in theater forever, its such a massive percentage of combat power. The National Guard which in effect is Putin's direct internal force separate from the military isnt up to it either.
This assumes though that a full occupation is the Russian objective but there remains doubt over that, particularly the Western region. Necessity may make it a required objective.
They don’t. Many still yearn for independence. Many Chechen fighters have ended up elsewhere in the world, e.g. Syria, after the second Chechen war. I believe some ended up in volunteer battalions fighting for Ukraine. However, Kadyrov got to be in charge by hooking up with Putin and he’s allowed his own private army, and it’s them who got sent into Ukraine.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
I think peak ukrainian resistance is over
Are you still here?
I look forward to seeing you in the Hague alongside Putin and Lukashenko.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
There was nothing ignorant about my post this morning, we have submarines carrying Trident nuclear missiles on patrol 24/7 and obviously the UK PM would have to order a nuclear strike on major Russian cities using Trident nuclear missiles from his bunker within hours of any attack here and would do so.
You are arguing Scottish geography with a Scot from your flat in Essex???
Indeed.
Further to my point below, you should also be careful HYUFD about loosely using the word 'coast'. No one I know has ever described Faslane as being on the coast. Helensburgh isn't even on the coast and Faslane is much further up, right at the top of Gare Loch.
And, besides, it's a distinction I wouldn't want to push. Fort William is right by both a sea loch and the highest mountain in Britain.
How do these donated weapons get to where they’re needed .
Won’t they be sitting targets crossing by road once they enter Ukraine .
They already are being delivered across uncontested crossings by military and unmarked vehicles. A quick look at the map will tell you where. There is, however, no clarity on how much kit has been sent & how it is getting them to the front line, that methodology is unclear.
There has been no attempt to interfere with it, yet, but, sitting south of Brest, that group of Russian and shortly Belarus military (reportedly 5am local time for their entrance to the party) , might have something to say about it in time.
This logistics is precisely my big fear now ☹️
Absolutely no chance from the air then?
This is a very ignorant and naive question but just how easy is it to assemble and operate this 'kit'?
I ask as someone who struggles with anything as complicated as a flatpack from Ikea.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
Wow not your best post HYUFD. I was at Faslane in October. I can assure you it is indeed near the Highlands although I notice you have very, very, naughtily added the word 'central'!!!!
Faslane is at the top of Garelochhead and the start of the Trosachs.
Geologically Faslane is actually in the Highlands because the dividing line of the central belt runs along the Clyde, just south of Helensburgh.
Anyway, the point is that Faslane is very close to the Highlands, as I said. Geologically it's actually in them.
What would be the central Highlands? Fort Augustus perhaps?
I'd put Fort Augustus on the boundary between the Central Highlands and the W & NW Highlands, with the Great Glen Fault as the dividing line.
Faslane is definitely Highland, although I'd call it SW Highlands, which is mostly Argyll.
Even Arran (North) is technically Highland, and it certainly feels like it on the summit of A' Chir.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
The amphibious landing force has probably helped them there. In general, I think that we're all celebrating the failure of the invason a bit prematurely - it's only been going for a few days and Kyiv is apparently surrounded. Not clear what the Russians plan next there, though - fighting for it street by street must sound unappealing to the most gung-ho general.
Yes you are correct Nick what you WANT to happen is not the same as what will happen
Are you still here? I hope you end up in the Hague with Putin and Lukeshenko. William Joyce of course got his comeuppance at Nuremberg.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
I think peak ukrainian resistance is over
Are you still here?
I look forward to seeing you in the Hague alongside Putin and Lukashenko.
It didn't end well for William Joyce did it?
Joyce was actually tried at the Old Bailey, not at Nuremberg. Only senior members of the Nazi party were tried at Nuremberg.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
Wow not your best post HYUFD. I was at Faslane in October. I can assure you it is indeed near the Highlands although I notice you have very, very, naughtily added the word 'central'!!!!
Faslane is at the top of Garelochhead and the start of the Trosachs.
Geologically Faslane is actually in the Highlands because the dividing line of the central belt runs along the Clyde, just south of Helensburgh.
Anyway, the point is that Faslane is very close to the Highlands, as I said. Geologically it's actually in them.
What would be the central Highlands? Fort Augustus perhaps?
I'd put Fort Augustus on the boundary between the Central Highlands and the W & NW Highlands, with the Great Glen Fault as the dividing line.
Faslane is definitely Highland, although I'd call it SW Highlands, which is mostly Argyll.
Although being pedantic, I doubt many submarines have ever really got to any high lands. Deep depths, yes.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Yes, but who the fuck wants to survive a nuclear war?
Me. I've been reading post apocalypse sci fi so long, I want to know who was right. The Road? Riddley Walker? Leibowitz?
Philip K Dick - Dr Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb.
What's the consensus these days on the impact of an all-out nuclear holocaust?
End of life on earth? The human race? Civilisation as we know it? The EU?
Or just the TV licence?
Civilisation in the Northern hemisphere but still with pockets of life. Better in the South. Humanity and the planet will both survive.
Edit - the TV licence will stay obviously. Great value for money apparently
Although with just 23 viewers left alive in the UK the BBC will have to cut its budget somewhat.
More seriously (BBC journalist). Russian troops are in Berdyansk. They're getting closer to Mariupol. Also not clear about the northern direction - Volnovakha I heard was totally cut off by Russian troops. They're encircling Mariupol from all sides. https://twitter.com/abdujalil/status/1497998348992798730
It certainly looks as if the southern front is the one that the Russians are winning. Hard to know whether by accident or design.
I think peak ukrainian resistance is over
Are you still here?
I look forward to seeing you in the Hague alongside Putin and Lukashenko.
Apologies if this unnerves people but we're dealing with a madman and anything is possible, especially with the escalations.
The safest places to live in the event of a nuclear attack are obviously the most rural areas and coastal areas far from military bases eg Isles of Scilly, the Highlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire Moors, Snowdonia and Mid Wales, East Kent etc.
Though obviously if Putin did launch nukes on the UK we would also be send Trident nuclear missiles to attack Moscow and St Petersburg from UK submarines within a few hours
Highlands of Scotland?!?
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Faslane is near the coast not the central Highlands.
Wow not your best post HYUFD. I was at Faslane in October. I can assure you it is indeed near the Highlands although I notice you have very, very, naughtily added the word 'central'!!!!
Faslane is at the top of Garelochhead and the start of the Trosachs.
Geologically Faslane is actually in the Highlands because the dividing line of the central belt runs along the Clyde, just south of Helensburgh.
Anyway, the point is that Faslane is very close to the Highlands, as I said. Geologically it's actually in them.
There are 265 miles from Faslane to John O'Groats, all covered by the Highlands.
That is more than the distance from London to Manchester
Breaking news all routes out of Kiev blocked by the russians
Even if Putin manages to succeed in occupying Ukraine Russia and its people are in for some very dark times indeed whilst he remains in charge. Half the world is going to be supplying the Ukrainian resistance with every hi-tech piece of kit, intelligence, support and weaponry available. You would be better off getting out now before your country is entirely ruined.
Twitter has just found out that Volodymyr Zelensky is the Ukrainian voice of Paddington Bear.
Did they Peru's the cast list?
As my daughter pointed out yesterday it’s not often easy to find or to find at all. Last week they were watching something on Disney+ and noticed a housemates cousin (who does dubbing) was the danish voice for Mrs Marvel because the job is literally this show today, another tomorrow morning and a different on tomorrow afternoon.
Comments
Please let Vlad know.
I began with a little hope, and now have a little more, but still difficult to see where this all ends.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-usaf-officers-to-present-evidence-of-ufos-tampering-with-nuclear-weapons-301395385.html
"Former Air Force officer, Robert Salas, was the on-duty commander of an underground launch control facility assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, on March 24, 1967. He has publicly stated over a span of twenty-five years, that all ten of his ICBMs became inoperable and that eight days earlier, on March 16, 1967, a similar incident occurred at another missile launch control facility."
@EnglishUkraine
Message to Russian troops from Kyiv's Defenders.
https://twitter.com/EnglishUkraine/status/1497986717470580744
Any Russian/Ukrainian speakers able to check the subtitles?
PS: So great at the IT you boast about that you cannot even post an image , says it all.
And we shall now return to me insulting him as usual.
The bastard.
Apparently one of the reasons it was selected is that it has about the highest amount of cloud cover in the UK.
I am disappointed that PB only rates such a sad apologist. I had expected the cyber equivalent of crack troops!
I ought not be surprised after your pig-ignorance regarding Trident this morning.
Please explain.
The Mass ended with a prayer for Peace in English and after that what a surprise Boris Johnson come and gave a talk in solidarity with Ukrainian people and lighted a candle.
https://twitter.com/SanCatherina/status/1498003719312478216
Knew I should have stolen it from twitter - there you go
My own interpretation of events is that the Ukranians have played an absolutely stunning propoganda war over the last week- intentionally or otherwise. It has already changed the course of European history in a profound way, in that it has united the whole of Europe against Russia. It could well also change the course of Russian history, time will tell.
I posted this morning I like to think Putin has been knocked off course and it’s disasterly slow, like it was disastrously slow taking Paris what cost Germans the First World War, yet, they seem to be cutting off and surrounding bits. How do we supply our friends munition and other supplies, air drops?
Do we know what Putin’s aims are or still guessing? I don’t think there is anyway he can achieve mission goals from this full scale invasion, how about you? That’s how I know him to be stupid.
That seems like a very big strategic miscalculation on the part of Russia, as 'incursions' had been all but accepted by America; it's the threat of total invasion that has really set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Otherwise, thank you.
Mid Wales would be an extremely dirty fight between Spetsnaz and what remained of the SAS.
Once more the Putin calculation - economic reprisal, horrendous. Violence, fine.
A metaphor for the current global conflict? A stalemate ending with the opposition firing on all cylinders and the Russians lose in the end.
The longer it goes on, the harder the fighting and the more civilians die, it will become harder to maintain that it is anything other than an unwanted invasion. Also add in that Ukraine might grow stronger as well, if it turns into a war of equipment attrition.
Speaking as one who’s Mum moved us to near Colchester in the early Eighties specifically to be close to a major target so as to ensure we wouldn’t be in the lingering-and-suffering category if the buckets of instant sunshine were opened.
Oligarch with his hands tight around Putin's balls: "My daughter lives there in a flat with friends all studying drama. No your fucking don't."
I was watching Octopussy with my son earlier. Making our way through James Bond films.
I'd always considered the plot a bit far-fetched until today: you know, a deranged ex KGB officer who wants to set off a nuclear bomb in the west ...
Have you actually been to MK? I mean, it's not a countryside pastiche with thatched cottages and ancient churches (except for the absorbed villages), but it's okay.
There was nothing ignorant about my post this morning, we have submarines carrying Trident nuclear missiles on patrol 24/7 and obviously the UK PM would have to order a nuclear strike on major Russian cities using Trident nuclear missiles from his bunker within hours of any attack here and would do so.
There are still a lot of MIGs and Sukhois in use in various countries.
And playing so many post apocalypse sci fi games too. Survival genre, or Fallout series etc
Absolutely no chance from the air then?
End of life on earth? The human race? Civilisation as we know it? The EU?
Or just the TV licence?
Edit - the TV licence will stay obviously. Great value for money apparently
Faslane is at the top of Garelochhead and the start of the Trosachs.
Geologically Faslane is actually in the Highlands because the dividing line of the central belt runs along the Clyde, just south of Helensburgh.
Anyway, the point is that Faslane is very close to the Highlands, as I said. Geologically it's actually in them.
Would the Falklands be targeted? I suppose they might. Be surviving on seal blubber though.
The Chinese are probably wondering the same thing tonight. Time to ditch Putin and his deluded, mystic fantasies and get back to some serious money making?
Which I admit does make me think twice about it.
People irl have asked me about whether aliens would save us from nuclear war. I not aware of any evidence of aliens/ufo pilots taking any interest at all in reducing unnecessary human suffering century in the 20th century. Despite similar sightings to the tic tac being made at least as far back as WW2. Old stories about “angels” in the trenches in WW1 but not a lot of evidence to go on. Anyway perhaps if it’s Armageddon they’d take a different view and save us from ourselves, if we / life on earth are their creation for example. I wouldn’t hold out for it though. They could just wait a few half lives instead and try afresh.
And yes, there’s notable on the record accounts of UAP incidents coinciding with the sudden inexplicable disabling of nuclear weapons in both the U.S. and USSR. The story from the North Dakota silo particularly good. So they probably could if they wanted.
This assumes though that a full occupation is the Russian objective but there remains doubt over that, particularly the Western region. Necessity may make it a required objective.
I look forward to seeing you in the Hague alongside Putin and Lukashenko.
It didn't end well for William Joyce did it?
Further to my point below, you should also be careful HYUFD about loosely using the word 'coast'. No one I know has ever described Faslane as being on the coast. Helensburgh isn't even on the coast and Faslane is much further up, right at the top of Gare Loch.
And, besides, it's a distinction I wouldn't want to push. Fort William is right by both a sea loch and the highest mountain in Britain.
I ask as someone who struggles with anything as complicated as a flatpack from Ikea.
Faslane is definitely Highland, although I'd call it SW Highlands, which is mostly Argyll.
Even Arran (North) is technically Highland, and it certainly feels like it on the summit of A' Chir.
https://twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/1497612331953577991
That is more than the distance from London to Manchester