Russia - such a disgrace !

[kopenhagen5]

I don't know about anyone else. but I nor our business, is any longer buying anything remotely Russian.

This is not so much choosing to take a side, but merely not wanting to be seen as condoning recent events.

'Hands off Ukraine!' Russian protesters, celebrities risk arrest to denounce Putin's war (yahoo.com)

[*sons_and_daughters*]

What a bunch of heroes. Wiping out schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, the kid's hospital, orphanages. Takes a real hero to wipe out countless children for the sake of a psychopath. Then there's the bombing of apartment blocks, where innocent people were eating their breakfast, getting ready to start the new day.

I weep for our future when we still have these psychopaths in power in our world. Slam his head in with an axe. We don't need another Hitler, but sadly, that's who is forcing his power upon others.

[springyzone]

From what I have read, a lot of the trouble comes down to Putin, who is definitely a bit of a psychopath and who may or may not be totally rational.

The best thing for the world would be a political assassination but that is highly unlikely to happen, I am sure he is paranoid and well protected.

It is probably unlikely we'll see US  or other troops being sent to help Ukraine in the short term because Putin has threatened nuclear retaliation. Not in those exact words but he definitely hinted at it. If it were to happen, I suspect it would be small nuclear devices used. I've thought for a few years they are a real threat.

I can't see any percentage in Putin using wide scale nuclear weapons as what use is it to gain a country if you've nuked it all and it is unihabitable, but a city here and there, I wouldn't put it past him if pushed.

Probably the greatest threat comes from the fact Putin may not be entirely rational though.

I wonder what Putin has in mind after Ukraine. I think the Baltic nations may be safer as they are members of NATO. 

We live in interesting times, don't we. Can't say the 2020s have thrown up much good news.

[domino-710]

Interesting and hopefully true :

Former CIA Station Chief says 'Russia has overstretched' its Military, Lacks Troops to 'Subdue' Ukraine

A former CIA station chief on Saturday said that Russia has "overstretched" its military, and lacks the manpower to "subdue" Ukraine.

"Russia has overstretched," Daniel Hoffman said during an interview with Fox News. "Vladimir Putin took a great risk here. He's dealing with extended supply lines, which is having an impact — a negative impact on his troop's ability to move. There are major rivers in Ukraine that also pose challenges and there are large cities, and Russia just doesn't have the troops to subdue them."

Hoffman's comments come after Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, a move that has been condemned by President Joe Biden and other Western leaders. Hoffman, a Fox News contributor, said Ukrainians have been "bravely demonstrating how committed they are to fighting for their freedom and independence."

He added, "Time is on Ukraine's side."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video on Facebook Friday from the capital city of Kyiv stating' 'We are all here."

"Our military are here, our citizens and society are here. We are all here defending our independence, our state, and this is how it's going to be," Zelensky added.

During an appearance on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova said that Zelensky is "as safe as our country" and will "lead the nation in this very difficult moment."

According to an Aljazeera report from last week, officials in Ukraine said more than 3,000 Russian troops have been killed.

Taylor Ardrey from Insider
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/former-cia-station-chief-says-russia-has-overstretched-its-mili...

[tasfleur]

Given the way Putin is talking now (nuclear alert etc) I can't help but wonder if alongside his obvious psychopathy, he has a serious uncontrollable delusional mental disorder.  Put the two conditions together, and you have the most dangerous man on earth  who has  the power to go one step further and launch a nuclear war .

It would be in Russia's best interests right now to recognise and accept that reality, for their own sake and for the rest of the world, to take him down and lock him up.  Ordinary Russian people are his victims also.

[repentatleisure1952]

https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/ukrainian-sailor-sinks-russian-bosss-10-million-luxury-superyac...

[kopenhagen5]

I saw that one. Funny.

Dan Murphy's showing solidarity - 

[countessalmirena]

One of my favourite operas is being performed at the Adelaide Festival… very topical. It’s called The Golden Cockerel, and it’s a Russian opera about a foolish Tsar who imagines that a neighbouring realm is plotting against his realm. In the grip of this folly, he preemptively strikes against that realm. His two sons accidentally kill each other, the old Tsar sees the beautiful young Tsaritsa who ruled the realm he attacked, and becomes infatuated… There’s a mystical air to the whole thing, as the old tsar was encouraged by a mysterious Astrologer and an enchanted Golden Cockerel. It doesn’t end well for the old Tsar.

I would love to go to Adelaide to see it… don’t think I can but oh, I would love to.

Ukrainians and Russians are working together on this opera and the Ukrainians are very much in favour of its going ahead.

[kopenhagen5]

Oops, forgot the link - https://www.9news.com.au/national/russia-ukraine-update-dan-murphys-to-pull-russian-vodka-from-its-s...

[domino-710]

Stuff Opera - the common man & woman - are dying - in Ukraine - stop the lot.

[ambercat16]

Oh, how I hope this one is for real.....