Yes - quite rightly too.

I'd advise against sending money to armed forces. We have no way in knowing which groups will receive this money (The Right Sector and the Azov Battalion have been integrated into the armed forces and have been implicated in anti-roma pogroms and the use of white phosphorus on civilians in the Donbass, as well as the fairly obvious problem of being Banderite groups)

Also with the Russian advance it may unfortunately be likely that this equipment will fall into their hands in a matter of days anyway. If you do want to help the people of Ukraine look into refugee groups in the area assisting civilians there.

Well sorry, but the UK (and the rest of the west) have let this all happen.
I am not a ranty person, and I believe everyone is entitled to their beliefs and rights.

But, while we fap about protecting our society from things that might frighten or upset them, and making sure they have access to gender gentle, rainbow coloured toilets, China, Russia and all the other big boys have been making plans.

The UK needs to man up and get a grip asap.

Once Putin has the Ukraine, China will start their expansion plans.

And as for the EU... well, they cannot even agree about sanctions. Anything but united.

If people think Putin will stop at the Ukraine, they might be in for a shock.

As for Boris. I am no fan, but the man has had a rough ride and I think he is handling it better than the Euro monkeys.

I'll stop writing now, getting angry.

Rachel x

I certainly understand what you are saying, that many of the Russian people do not want this war and are rebelling against the leadership, and good for them. It's certainly not the first time ordinary Russians have protested war in the streets, and they pay a heavy price for it. Today's Russian leadership learned how to influence and cause internal strife in the West from the West interfering in Russian affairs. We taught them how to do what we both do now, and many people in the West and in Russia are anti war. But...

Since its inception, I count 145 Russian wars/armed conflicts/military incursions/military invasions . I also count 27 since 1945 alone (the end of WWII) and that's one war every 2.8 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Russia

America is no better, being at war for literally 222 of our 239 years of existence, or 93% of the time. It's humans that kill humans, not their leadership. Remember "Saddam Husein has weapons of mass destruction"? We don't need good reasons to kill each other, it's what we do, it's in our DNA, it's how we got to the top of the food chain.

We as a species need to rise above our natural instincts. It's time. We have developed a conscious. We are better than our ancestors. We can do it, but we are ruled by the violent, kept uneducated by our leadership, and easily manipulated by lies and propaganda as a result. I have no problems with the Russian people and in fact, I support them. What's happening there is coming here to America, and soon.

This grandma plans to go down swinging for the Constitution, the best idea ever created by humankind.

Live well,

Madeline

Not sure how much longer Russia will be able to maintain this. Their tanks have ran out of gas. Their troops are confused and don't know where they are going or how to get their. The State TV has been hacked and is broadcasting Ukranian folk songs. The main website for the government has been hacked and replaced with a Ukranian flag and a message from President Zolinsky asking for peace. President Zolinsky is fighting with his people while Putin is hiding in a castle far away..... Last time someone hid in a castle during an attack, well we all know how that turned out.

If you are interested in monitoring the state of Russia's state-sanctioned/owned "news" outlets, here's a URL that will let you do that in real-time

https://norussian.tk/

It's just a simple page that contacts each outlet now and then to see if they are still online. Of course, we have to be very careful. Too many people checking at once will overload their servers and that would make Putin sad. Whatever you do, don't everyone go here at once, and especially don't leave the page open for several days. That would be wrong.

It won't go nuclear, this is a conventional war. Russia is taking heavy loses at this time, Putin failed the anticipate the Ukrainian people stepping up to the plate with arms and good for them! But Putin may respond by pushing harder as a result, I believe the worst has yet to come in term of combat and if Putin looses this war his political career is over, he'll be done for in Russia and he knows this. So odds are this will not end anytime soon, settle in this is going to go on for a while.

Resupply is the key and that's where some of us come in, and depending on how many Ukrainians are on UMD there could be fighters among us here.

If any of you are on here, I wish you the best and God Speed to you! You have our love.

MikeNomic suggested supporting the Orchid store and that is a good idea I'm buying something for sure, many here should too.

Initially, it looks like the Ukrainians are putting up much more of an effective resistance than Putin anticipated. The issue is how will it play out? Even if the Russians do occupy the country I can see protracted guerrilla warfare and in a country the size of Ukraine, that will be very difficult for them to deal with.

I can't see a clean end, like appointing a puppet government and back to work on Monday.

Well you can fuck off with your victim blaming.

We are at war because Putin ordered it. No other reason. Little dick Russian doesn't like a sovereign country wanting to be independent? Invade.

Nothing to do with Ukrainian politics, just a dictator trying to leave a legacy.

NATO promised their little fuckin puppet Yeltsin that if they let them shock therapy their fuckin economy and make their oligarchs absurdly rich, they would not expand NATO. They fuckin lied and then act surprised that the corrupt dictatorship they helped rise to power (arms and fund during the Chechen wars, rigging the 1993 election against the communists ect.) would act in such a way.

In truth it ain't Ukraine's fault cos they are not some monolith or fuckin hivemind (many brave people have resisted the rehabilitation of Bandera, the rise of far right battalions in their neighbourhoods and the increasing anti Roma pogroms taking place by government forces) but fuckin NATO placed their coup government in this position and sold them a false dream. It's inter-imperialist bullshit with Ukraine being the toy for rich cunts in Moscow and Washington to play around with.

This wars being going on for 8 years in the east, all to the detriment of ordinary local people. Had Minsk been cared for then maybe owt else would happen. Instead this was made inevitable by a constant warmongering by corrupted entities all looking to cash in on mass death. Putin and NATO are made for each other, parasites all playing off their own selfish needs.

Ok - first of all sorry for my ugly english.

I am not surprised that the Ukrainians wanted to join NATO, the EU and the "West" in general. Since 2014, after the events of the Euromaidan, the Ukrainian government has been heavily influenced by the United States and the European Union. But it completely doesn't matter... because ordinary Ukrainians really want to go west!

Just like ordinary Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, Hungarians, Romanians, Lithuanians also wanted to join the West 30 years ago. Because life under Russian rule is ... simply inhuman.

My country was under Russian rule 30 years ago. Nobody had a problem with "communism". Nobody forbade anyone to speak their native language. Nobody discriminated against anyone - really

The biggest problem with Russian rule was corruption and fear. I do not mean corruption at the highest levels of government (this is even in the West).

- I mean the situation when every ordinary person, in order to live normally, has to pay bribes to officials, policemen, doctors, lawyers, teachers at school, at the university ... without bribing and acquaintance you were nobody. Everyone had to literally rob their country to live normally. When this system, for obvious reasons, began to break down and people tried to change it - they were beaten, imprisoned and killed.

My country has changed a lot in the 30 years since the liberation from "russian world". I feel free, the police, offices, hospitals and schools operate normally. Corruption is negligible. I can work and say whatever I want. Yes - we still have problems. Yes - Salaries are lower than in the west. Yes there are problems with gay rights, yes - the gender equality index is still not so green in statistics as in the West. But we can live normally!

There are a lot of things that annoy me in the western world. But when I talked with dozens of Ukrainians who had been coming to us since 2014, I saw ... myself from the past. They weren't as lucky as I was. They were under Russian rule longer. But the biggest surprise for me was that they called my country... "The West". I didn't think anyone would ever tell me something like that.

Today they were attacked by Russia. People fight and die not only against the "inhuman russian corrupted world". Or "geopolitical influences". But now - just to survive.

I don't like generalizing. I know about geopolitics games. I even tried to understand Russia. But here the matter is really trivial:
The West has a normal life to offer.
Russia has corruption, fear, war and death to offer

I wish with all my heart that one day the only problem of Ukraine will be the gay rights.

PS
There are a lot of scam with supporting ukraine. Here is the list of verified ways:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/s6g5un/want_to_support_ukraine_heres_a_list_of_charities/

And yes - maybe it's risk that the money will come to Azov batalion or somewhere else. But presonally I shit on this
!

If someone is interest here is the map of situation in Ukraine - regulary updated:

https://liveuamap.com/

I came here to watch gunge an pies... what am I doing in this thread?

It does make me smile all these people stating what Putin is going to do, or how the war on the ground is going, who is winning, what they are thinking etc.

You don't know. Nobody knows. You don't know if Putin will bail in a few weeks, get annoyed at the progress and throw some hefty bombs into the cities, or simply nuke us all.

Only HE knows where the line stops. Personally, I seriously doubt the Ukraine is his only plan.
He has always apparently wanted to rebuild the USSR. BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT FOR SURE!

As for the war itself. Ignore the news. They make the situation worse most of the time. I have noticed they keep saying 'and we have verified this video footage' now. Hmm, love to know how.
Checking someone's Twitter feed isn't verifying zip.

Michael Portillo explained why Ukraine was never allowed into Nato when he was in parliament and explained it very well. It's always been a disputed area with Russia and therefore if the West ever allowed it into Nato you are instantly inviting conflict with Russia.

Like it or lump it.... this is the cold war all over again

Rachel x

(Can we now get back to pies)

https://m.soundcloud.com/embrace-the-strange/tool-vs-tool-jambi-vs-invincible

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ys11euf3q8

Back to mess or mess is back

The Russian embassy in London has had eggs thrown at it.

WAM as a weapon!!!

Which side should I take? Honestly, I've heard bad things about both sides.
Rightwing Ukranian nationalists outlawing the Communist party.
Ukranian nationalists forcing young men against their will into the military (conscription).
Meanwhile, Putin sounds like an autocratic oligarch.

I side with pretty much any separatist movement by anyone anywhere.

Scotland and Ireland should separate from the UK.
The UK should Brexit from the EU.
Russian separatists should separate from Ukraine.
The states in the USA should separate from one another.
Individual family members should separate from their families that they did not agree
to be born into if they don't get along with family members.

If you believe in the general rule of "you shouldn't be forced to be part of something
you were born into against your will" then these would be all the logical consequences
of that belief.

I think Greater Manchester should secede from the UK and become independent

I found out two of my Russian friends departed yesterday to join the Ukrainian resistance. Over the past 24 hours Russia has taken further loses including captured supplies benefiting the resistance.

Unlike some wars, in this one both sides are using mostly the same small arms being the AK47 which uses the 7.62x39 and means compatibility on both sides depending on who captures each other's shit. Even the first generation AK's from the 50's are still operating today which is a testament to their longevity.

I have an AK (civilian semi auto) and if I had to choose between my AK or AR to drag through the mud, dirt, water, hell even gunge (sarcasm on that last one) I'd choose the AK any day.

Edit: Another hairy thing now when it comes to our relations with Russia is the ISS (International Space Station). It our only physical hand shake between us right now and a very important one. Russia is also responsible for maneuverability and altitude of the ISS, meaning they actually have the most power up there. Good thing is Cooperation in orbit is still unaffected at this time plus both sides rely on each other, the US is responsible for electrical power which too is crucial like the altitude control. If however Russia decides to leave, SpaceX may be the last hope to reboost the ISS as they've recently hinted, but that'll require much larger fuel tanks for the crew dragon for reboosting as they currently don't carry enough fuel at this moment to execute such a maneuver.

Darn. It quit working overnight. 'Twas nice while it lasted.

Nessie

Hi all.

Many thanks to all of you who expressed their support to the people of Ukraine. It is very nice to see the caring citizens of America, Britain and Europe, all who are worried about us at this difficult time. I am especially glad that many support our European choice and dream to get rid of Moscow's oppression.

It's sad that some people here are repeating Putin's lies about Ukraine and NATO. It is a pity that the propaganda of the Kremlin got to your ears. I would like you to believe only facts, not propaganda. The facts show that over the past 20 years, peace and prosperity have reigned in the countries of Europe, members of NATO, even in the countries of the former Soviet Bloc, such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia and many others. Russia is afraid to attack them. And you know who Russia is not afraid of and does not respect? Those who fell under the influence of Moscow and did not have time to integrate into NATO and the EU. Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia have survived heavy military aggression and are now facing fake "republics" that were created and maintained by the Kremlin; Armenia and Azerbaijan are arguing and fighting over territories; bloody dictators rule in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, strangling their peoples. And now a full-scale war in the center of Europe. All these are former territories of the USSR and all this suffering is sponsored by Moscow. Does anyone want me to consider the US or NATO the aggressor? No, US soldiers have never killed Ukrainians. Ukrainians on Ukrainian territory are being killed by Putin's Russians! They lie about not harming civilians and their homes, but I have already seen dozens of videos and HUNDREDS of reports of destroyed homes, killed and injured civilians, including children, women and the elderly! Have you ever seen severed legs and arms or fried intestines live? They also destroy our plants and factories, which kill the economy for years to come, burn our transport and aircraft, including the legendary "Mriya". God, I sobbed when I learned that the "Mriya" had been destroyed! They attack our nuclear power plants, creating the danger of NUCLEAR pollution, accidents and cataclysms! I will never forgive them for all this. Never.

But not all Russians want to kill Ukrainians, that's true. It is a pity that the voice of sane, honest and friendly Russians is not heard in the Kremlin. Many Russians are also suffering under the oppression of Putin, who has led the country to complete collapse. Unfortunately, there are many in Russia who are enthusiastic about this war. It is true that a huge number of Russians have indeed supported Putin's actions and believe him. Tragic.

Now for me and my studio. We are lucky so far, our city of Dnipro has not yet been attacked, it only survived the missile attacks at the beginning of the war. Now we are strengthening the defense of our city, preparing for the invasion of enemies. I am involved in the defense of our city, we are building defenses and preparing weapons of self-defense. Even some of my female models help me, for example Tiny Soya is always by my side, we work together to protect our city. I also continue to financially and morally support all my female models. Unfortunately, we have been forced to suspend the release of new videos. However, someday our studio will resume activities. Hope...

Sorry for my English.
All the best.

You do realize there are many people in Ukraine with phones and reporters there? While some of the videos may be not verified or real, there are plenty that are. Just because a news channel shares it doesn't mean it's always fake.

Whilst I don't want to derail this thread from its primary topic, I thought this bit needs to be addressed.

Firstly, transgender rights (presumably what you're referring to by "gender gentle, rainbow coloured toilets") in this country have been steadily going backwards for years and trans people are under constant attack; hate crimes, for example, are reported by over half the trans population.

The people who are moaning are, in fact, often the people who are in opposition to granting trans people a fundamental human right which is to access facilities that align with their gender.

Secondly, the likes of the Russian government are very much against LGBT and other minority populations, so surely to fight against such tyranny would include protecting the rights of those in our home countries.

Finally, getting around to providing access to toilets and facilities in what is a first world country funnily enough isn't going to do much in Ukraine.

Well this is just a little bit scary:


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60551140

Current playlist:
New Model Army - Here Comes The War
Gothzilla - Today Is A Good Day To Die
Gillan - Mutually Assured Destruction

All our best to you...I'm so sorry this is happening, I'm sorry that you have to see war, let alone fight it. All of my prayers that you, your family, your friends, and your countrymen come through this, and all the stronger.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thank you for your full picture of how things are there. Since the invasion began I have felt emotions such as never before. While I have never been to Ukraine I have learned a lot about it over the past 10 years or so, through my interest in wetlook and contacts made. If I were 40 years younger I would want to be out there helping you guys in the fight.
My main avenue now is to publicise the help Ukraine appeal fund- I have so far sent 400 GBP there with more to follow.
I pray for deliverance of you all through this, and for some brave person(s) in Russia and Belarus to urgently dispose of their autocratic and deranged rulers and make the world a safer place for all.
Rick

We can not persuade Putin to stop by military means.
That might well lead to WW3.
But if we can not stop him by economic means, who will be next?
Moldova?

Any former USSR state that hasn't joined NATO is at risk unless and until Putin a) realises he can't win or b) gets deposed by other Russians.

Attacking a NATO state would trigger WW3 and we have to *hope* Putin isn't crazy enough to risk that. But as my post above, there's loads of other things he has done that everyone thought he wouldn't do.

To an extent it's now Putin's ego vs economic reality, as the sanctions imposed already are extreme, and Russia's economy is collapsing as a result.

Interesting YT vids out today from the Belarusian and Russian opposition channels. The first in English, the second has English translation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkJqEA8Ww9g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg29Rvg--lA

Remember the financial crisis in UK in 2008?
Apparantly, we were within hours of the High St. banks becoming insolvent and the cash machines failing.
The government feared that if this happened, then within hours civil unrest would follow.
So the banks were bailed out with unfathomable sums of cash, some were required to amalgomate and others were in effect nationalised.
I don't know enough about finance to understand whether this could happen in Russia, but I think that it is a powerful tool and we should sanction Russian banks all we can.

Agreed!