AlexLaw76

Haha, all fair points. My wider point is that assuming all expected this to be over by now is rather false IMO. It took the "coalition of the willing" nearly 3 weeks to assume 'control' of Baghdad in 2003, that was with one of the biggest bombardments at the time (shock and awe). Let alone Ukraine, a more advanced country, with a battle-hardened army armed with the best weapons supplied by the US/UK for years.

How do you know it was ceded? Why was it ceded? We don't know. Just assuming to fit your PoV. Either way, they are able to control a pretty big area, circling major cities, in a western country within a week and without much use of their Airforce. I doubt many thought that was possible just a few month back.

You have based that on very little, other than what is fed to us via news, social media and your own predetermined views. None of us have much of an idea what they wanted. Only a few weeks ago, this was a stunt and the Russians were going home. I have no idea how much of a land mass Russia control, but let's say it is the size of England, or even the UK (minus London / Kyiv). This has been achieved in a western country within a week against a battle-hardened opponent with years of significant military assistance from the the US/UK, with the majority of the advanced world cutting him off. I actually find it quite chilling / alarming what they have done and at that pace, given the relative restraint and little use if their Airforce. that is not me cheering what he has done, but there are so many stories out there, presuming what Putin, Russia or anyone wanted to happen - no plan survives first contact.

Flirting with us I see

An alternative view on the future (thread)

Dell-sized mentality?

None of us know what was calculated or not. There are lots of assumptions that Putin would have expected to have this wrapped up by now. How do we know? The chatter of Putin expecting this to take a day or so is ridiculous IMO. All part of the information war to paint this invasion as a failure from the off. Compare this to our invasions, they take/took a while, last decades and that is after we relentlessly bomb the place into to submission, using some horrific munitions. For what ever reason, Russia have left their Airforce largely grounded. A view could be as obliterating the country from the air into submission is not an option. More so when he probably believes there is a sizable pro-Russian view from within. And a strand that does worry me, is if the US inch towards 'enforcing' a no-fly zone over Ukraine. That will mean we will, and that changes the situation a lot.

They'll get Man city. city have bizarre luck with their opponents in the FA Cup

Conte to walk out (again)?

Obviously, that is not Ukraine, which is all that matters, right?

£60m for a RB that cost £5m 9 months ago? Sell

Yes, it was a penalty. PGMOL have actually apologised in public, something they never/rarely do. It was a penalty - stonewall

🤣

Views from a retired US Colonel

Anyone else wanting a Burnley win tonight?

Pretty honest response from the PM

Chelsea have players in loan to saints, we have players on loan at Ross County See the difference?

Russia dont buy their weapons from the US/UK They have more dated things that go bang, and enormous quantities of it. Of course, at least when we invade other countries we have the decency to blow up civilians with guided munitions. 😒 On the wider point you make, compared to their activity in Syria etc, they have been relatively constrained in their actions

Blair (we) was/were not forced to do anything. There was even faked evidence to make it happen by No.10 Anyway.....

Great point.

It is a funny old world Putin compared to Hitler (rightly) Tony Blair Knighted (let you make your mind up)

Because she is a Tory, that is why. Despite what is in from of WarriorSaint's eyes, it's all their fault