Russia Has Declared War And Invaded Ukraine

[Nemo]

We knew it would happen.  Hold on to your hat, this will get spinning here too. 

Cash on hand in reasonable quantity, food, fuel, power source, meds, and all that. 

I am wondering how long until China gets frisky on its side of the world.

Nemo

[DMCakhunter]

Probably a few days.

[grizz]

china is also doing something with taiwan now

[JohnyMac]

Remember that it isn't Poopy Pants that is setting our foreign & domestic policy. http://unchainedpreppers.com/forum/mass-media/glenn-beck-the-new-spooky-dude-hansjrg-wyss/

[Jackalope]

I'm concerned about China, and I'm sure we'll be butting heads with them soon.

But folks should also be concerned about North Korea, Iran and Syria.  The Israelis aren't going to tolerate any BS from Iran or Syria if they decide to get frisky.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Norks attempted to launch an EMP strike and let Russia or China take the blame. 

In my estimation the entire world is like a pressure cooker about ready to explode.

[JohnyMac]

Every generation or so, the world commits a form of culling the human race. I guess we are due for another such harvest.

We are all paying for living in a Democracy that allows voter fraud. Thank the founding fathers saw fit for us to have a Republic vs. a complete Democracy.

The question is this snowy morning, will the midterms happen and if they do, how honest will they be? 

[DMCakhunter]

They won?t be unless a landslide happens that they can?t falsify

[pkveazey]

I've been paying attention to what the Russians are doing in Ukraine and have come to my own conclusion about what the Russians are doing. At the moment they are targeting specific things. It's kind of like, first we'll shoot them in the leg, then shoot them in the arm, etc. We all know that everyone depends on the Electrical Grid. Hmmmmm....... Why didn't they just focus everything on taking out the Electrical Grid to start with? I personally think that shutting down the Electrical Grid as a first strike would really piss off the total population and then the Russians would have to deal with both the Ukrainian military and the common Citizens. Just watch what happens if the Russians overpower the Ukrainian military. Yep, then they'll go after the Electrical grid so they can then concentrate on dealing with the civilians. I don't see this War as MEDIUM. This thing is either going to be "Wham Bam Thank You Mam" or its going to be another "Afghanistan disaster". The Russians could be stuck fighting this thing for years like they did in Afghanistan. As a Rock and Mineral collector, I learned something from the Russian?Afghanistan war. Did you know that we rock collectors couldn't understand why the price of Lapis Lazuli tripled in price. Well, it turned out that the Afghans were mining Lapis Lazuli and the US was buying it and paying unbelievable prices for it so the Afghans could buy weapons with the money. That way, the US could stay out of the war but still help the Afghans fight the Russians. During a war, you can't imagine what kind of stuff goes on under the table. If the Ukraine thing last any length of time, you can bet that the same sort of thing will happen in order to help the Ukrainians.

[pkveazey]

OK, I just saw this news report so I don't know how true it is. The report basically said that the Russians got a heavy dose "Wup-Ass" in Kiev from the Ukrainians. I hope it's true.

[Jackalope]

You're right PK, the Russians are taking heavier losses than were predicted.  However, I've also read that the troops taking the hits are not their top tier soldiers.  I'm also curious about the lack of Russian air superiority.  It seems the Russians have major logistics issues.  I'm interested to know why the Russians haven't used any of their vaunted super weapons.  It may be the Russians are trying to minimize civilian casualties.  I've read reports too indicating that the basic Russian soldier's equipment is old and decrepit.  Maybe they don't want to show off their newest technology and keep it in reserves.  From what I understand, the Russian economy is not very robust, and their defense spending is dwarfed by American defense spending, but then again the Russians probably aren't paying for $100 for toilet seats or hammers.

[JohnyMac]

I keep beating this drum...If the USA & EU didn't buy Russian Oil this invasion would run out of cash quickly. Kill the supply lines.

[grizz]

I keep beating this drum...If the USA & EU didn't buy Russian Oil this invasion would run out of cash quickly. Kill the supply lines.

We are also buying king crab from the russians too. A friend sent my a text pic from his local market and they are asking $65.99/lb

Our govt is just as corrupt as everyone elses, its so shameful

[Nemo]

Getting kicked out of SWIFT will let Russia mail a check and wait till it clears for its order to be processed and shipped.

Nemo

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/ukraine-invasion-germany-prepares-disconnect-russia-from-swift-lithuania-president-says

[JohnyMac]

Russia signed a SWIFT type of agreement with China.

[grizz]

putin told his men to prep for nukes

[pkveazey]

Russia signed a SWIFT type of agreement with China.

Johnny is right on the money. No pun intended. They did create their own form of SWIFT. I was told a long time ago, "If you want to know what is going on, just follow the money." China and Russia have both been buying up as much physical Gold and Silver as they can. They know that the Fiat Currencies are about to crash and they will then create a new global currency backed by Gold and Silver. The Dollar is just about worthless and all the major US Banks are also hoarding physical Gold and Silver. When it all goes bad, people aren't going to care what name they call the money. All they are going to care about is if it actually has any real value. We can all sit around and postulate all sorts of theories and none of them or all of them could be valid. Who really cares? The bottom line is, when all is said and done, we all need to eat. Hmmmmm...... Why would Russia be so intent on taking over the Ukraine? It might just be because they have an unbelievable amount of natural resources and Russia wants them.

[grizz]

Russia signed a SWIFT type of agreement with China.

Johnny is right on the money. No pun intended. They did create their own form of SWIFT. I was told a long time ago, "If you want to know what is going on, just follow the money." China and Russia have both been buying up as much physical Gold and Silver as they can. They know that the Fiat Currencies are about to crash and they will then create a new global currency backed by Gold and Silver. The Dollar is just about worthless and all the major US Banks are also hoarding physical Gold and Silver. When it all goes bad, people aren't going to care what name they call the money. All they are going to care about is if it actually has any real value. We can all sit around and postulate all sorts of theories and none of them or all of them could be valid. Who really cares? The bottom line is, when all is said and done, we all need to eat. Hmmmmm...... Why would Russia be so intent on taking over the Ukraine? It might just be because they have an unbelievable amount of natural resources and Russia wants them.

From what I nderstand, if they do succede they will need very little, if any, imports and will become an exporter/controller of goods to their part of the world

[Nemo]

Get ready to close the bunker door.

Nemo

https://www.foxnews.com/world/putin-orders-nuclear-deterrent-forces-be-put-on-high-alert

Russia
Published February 27, 2022 8:55am EST
Putin orders nuclear deterrent forces status raised to ?special combat readiness?
Putin says 'NATO members made aggressive statements'

Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the alert status for his nuclear forces to "special regime of combat duty" as Russia and Ukraine battle for the fourth day.

Putin ordered the Russian defense minister and the chief of the military's General Staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a "special regime of combat duty." The move signals tensions could boil over into a nuclear war.

"He is right now threatening a nuclear escalation," said former DIA intelligence officer Rebekah Koffler. "This a veiled threat ? or maybe such a veiled threat - he just met with his chief of general staff and minister of defense. He is escalating the conflict into the nuclear domain in order to de-escalate ? that is topple Kyiv?s regime quickly."

Putin spoke at a meeting Sunday with his top advisers and said NATO powers had made "aggressive statements" and that the West was imposing hard-hitting financial sanctions against Russia and himself.

"Western countries aren?t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country," Putin said in televised comments.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" that Putin's order is an unacceptable escalation.

"It means that President Putin is continuing to escalate this war in a manner that is totally unacceptable and we have to continue to stem his actions in the strongest possible way," she said.

Putin warned last week that countries who interfere with his invasion of Ukraine will face "consequences you have never seen."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[RB in GA]

According to the Epoch Times:
Germany to Send Anti-Tank Weapons, Missiles to Ukraine in Major Policy Reversal
By Allen Zhong February 26, 2022 Updated: February 26, 2022
Germany will provide anti-tank weapons and surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Saturday.

?The Russian attack marks a turning point. It is our duty to do our best to help Ukraine defend against the invading army of Putin. That?s why we?re supplying 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles to our friends in Ukraine,? he wrote in a Twitter post.

This is a major reversal of Berlin?s longstanding policy of banning weapon exports to battle zones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Germany?s change of stance: ?Keep it up, Chancellor Olaf Scholz! Anti-war coalition in action!?

Berlin Saturday authorized NATO partners the Netherlands and Estonia to deliver German-made weapons to Ukraine.

The batch of weapons included 400 RPGs from the Netherlands and old GDR howitzers from Estonia.

Germany has a long-standing policy of not exporting weapons to war zones, rooted partly in its bloody 20th-century history and resulting pacifism. Countries aiming to pass on German weapons exports need to apply for approval in Berlin first.

Scholz had repeatedly referred to this policy in recent weeks when refusing to deliver weapons to Ukraine.


As the Russian invasion of Ukraine is entering the third day, fighting broke out at the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital city Kyiv, which is regarded as the primary goal of the Russian forces.

U.S. and UK officials said the Russian forces were about 18 miles, or 30 kilometers, from the city center.

The speed of the advance has been slowed ?likely as a result of acute logistical difficulties and strong Ukrainian resistance?, the UK?s Ministry of Defense said.

However, a Pentagon official warned the situation may change rapidly.

?It?s a battlefield and events on the battlefield are dynamic and they can change very, very quickly,? the official said.


President Joe Biden authorized an additional $350 million in military assistance from Pentagon inventories, including anti-armor, small arms, various munitions, body armor, and related equipment. The White House also reportedly asked Congress to provide $6.4 billion in extra funds to assist Ukraine.

The UK is sending defensive military aid to Ukraine and said it trained 22,000 Ukrainian troops.

More than 100,000 Russian troops have entered Ukraine, Zelensky said in a Twitter post.

He refused to leave Kyiv, rebuffing a U.S. offer of evacuation and urging Ukrainians to fight.

?We will not lay down our weapons. We will defend our country. Our weapons are our strength. This is our land. Our country. Our children. We will protect all of them,? Zelensky said in a video posted to social media.

[JohnyMac]

NOT saying that Germany should not help Ukraine. Just a question...

What will happen when NATO forces that bring those weapons to Ukraine are attacked by Russia?

Will things escalate and expand beyond the Ukrainian border?   

[pkveazey]

NOT saying that Germany should not help Ukraine. Just a question...

What will happen when NATO forces that bring those weapons to Ukraine are attacked by Russia?

Will things escalate and expand beyond the Ukrainian border?

At the moment, Russia is like the big guy picking on the little guy. Russia doesn't really know if the little guy's friends will jump in and help him. I think the little guy's buddies are waiting to see if he can handle the Bully. Now, I'll tell you a story that my Father told me. It was WW2 and he was in the US Army and he was in a bar. I think it was either in England or France. When he got a little too drunk he would sometimes become a mean drunk. Anyway, something about this little guy set him off and he decided to whip his ass. He squared off and drew back to hit the little guy and he said that little Son Of A Bitch hit me at least 6 times before I could even get one punch in. I guess the moral of the story is, you better know who you are fighting before you start a fight.

[DMCakhunter]

Seems that things are not going well for the russian forces. Putin is being backed in a corner and desperate people will do desperate things. Putin has given nato the reason for expansion with now Sweden and Finland talking about joining.
If Beloruss joins the fight, should their invading troops be targeted by Nato before they can tip the balance?
Or US drones start working to slow them down?
On the China side, maybe they see that Taiwan might not be the cake walk they think it should be.

[JohnyMac]

There has been Green Beret types in Ukraine for awhile coaching the military how to fight a guerilla war since the Rusky troops started to amass on the border.

Planned stinger and javelin missile defensive points have been obtained, fortified, and supplied. They are just waiting for the Russian assault. Along with the ability of using surface to air and tank killer weapons, there are choke points being established for small arm use. Just think what snipers could accomplish at these choke points.

The only way to quell the defenses is to bomb the city. Will they do that? Who knows.

The challenge is open field combat. That is where air support will help either side.

By the seventh day of Russia's invasion, they have to win or leave and hold onto the eastern part of the country as a consolation prize. Otherwise they will die a death of a thousand cuts as supplies dwindle. No Borsch, no diesel, no vodka, no petrol, etcetera etcetera. The ₽ today is not worth the paper it is printed on.

There is one other option he has and that is to leave and then nuke Kiev.

The Davos group would like that as it would allow them to fill a big ass void with The Great Reset.

Let's face it. There is a lot happening behind the scenes we are not privy to.

Regardless, I remind you all of the AA prayer,

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

We have no control over this drama, instead of focusing on the MSM version of the drama, keep your nose to the grindstone and prep!

[RB in GA]

Just an opinion. You might wonder why it matters- it really doesn't more or less than anyone else's.

Finland and Sweden will not join NATO. This was just propoganda, probably from Russia to stir up anti-Western sentiment. The invitation to the NATO summit for these countries was for shared security concerns re: Russia.  Sweden likes its neutrality, as it allows it not to be caught up in foreign excursions.  Sure it'll send troops to UN peacekeeping missions, but thats about it.  It has a close relationship with NATO and would fight along side it should the Russians decide a little bit of Sweden helps them somehow, but the Russians choosing to open another front against a decently strong foe in a war with NATO is unlikely unless its by accident**. Finland? No way.  Those of you old enough to remember may remember the term "Finlandization".  I'm sure the Finns do.  The Finns best move, if they feel they need to cozy up to anyone for protection, would be a joint defense pact with Sweden.  Afterall, years ago it was a Swedish province. But even that would be risky for them.

Re: NATO forces that "supply' Ukraine.  If you recall the 2005 invasion of Georgia, two things happened regarding this issue. 1) The US waited to return the Georgian troops from Iraq to Georgia until after the fighting was essentially over and 2) the US negotiated "safe" zones to do so.  So, as far as US forces go, I'd guess the same will (or has) occur for #2. Expect those zones to border Hungary, Poland, Romainia to get under NATO air defense cover.  Most of the other NATO aid will enter through Poland, especially the token amount from the Baltic States: token only because they cant afford to send more. This may open up Russian air bombardment of western Ukranian roads/rails that has so far been ignored due to lack either planning, capability, or the unlikely intent to allow Ukrainian refugees a corridor to leave  (Unlikely as the Russians have NEVER displayed a concern for civilians during warfare.).
Trainers, etc... generally fall under the category of foreign volunteers- if you're there and you each a MRL barrage that was your bad luck. Expect international whining, but nothing else. 
Russia will have to strike into Polish or Hungarian territory to get an article 5 response from NATO, that or invade the Baltic States. (Though perhaps the Belorussian proxies might threaten the Baltic States and avoid article 5 vis a vis the Russians.)

** Several years ago an Italian airborne unit on maneuvers in Norway accidentally invaded Sweden.  The pilots read their maps wrong and dropped the unit on a Swedish town with the same name instead of the Norwegian one.  The local Swedish police drove out to the landing zones and informed the Italians of their mistake and then escorted them back into Norway.  Somehow in a war situation, I doubt any Russians landing in Sweden by mistake would get the same treatment... (oh, Nemo, source for that tidbit was in Strategy and Tactics magazine many years ago-   

[JohnyMac]

Thank you RB in GA.