Russia and the Ukraine...??

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Bob Russell — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 14:23:52 GMT

Why on earth would Ukraine make a deal with an invading power? They are better equipped and fighting for their homeland.

Nuclear weapons may change things but I suspect for the worse.

The west is reaping what it has sown sadly. Years of appeasing Putin to keep the gas flowing has given him confidence to invade.

This man used radiological weapons and chemical weapons on British soil without punishment. Unless we show strength it will continue.

Putin will die in the near future, hopefully when he touches a door handle or puts a fresh pair of kecks on!

Our x-ray badges looked like a snow storm and I was working in East Anglia following Chernobyl!.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

grumpyoldman — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 08:52:31 GMT

I am hoping it’s just sabre rattling to encourage the Ukraine to make a deal as they are now on the front foot . Not sure whether they will trust Putin , not sure I would either . It will need some kind of UN buffer zone with peace keeping none NATO forces , from Nigeria and Brazil etc . Hard to arrange and maintain . Problem with tactical Nukes is that when the wind blows the fallout doesn’t respect borders . I remember the Geiger counters going mental in Cumbria after Chernobyl . Putin knows no one wants that he also knows the Ukrainians don’t have anything to retaliate with . So maybe we have to help maintain the status quo but for now stalemate and an uneasy deal could be the best option until Putin dies gets replaced or treads on a landmine .

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Chris Milligan — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 22:49:23 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239373#239373"] Russia itself cares very little about human lives, regardless of ethnicity. Nothing has changes for the past 1000 years[/quote]

*Russia's unfortunate 'choice' of leaders. There are plenty of Russians with a conscience, many of them left as soon as this conflict started. It's interesting looking back through history and you realise that Russia's approach to politics hasn't really changed since the medieval period; which is why you see it performing siege warfare, brutalisation of civilians as a matter of course and a Machiavellian dance among the generals and leadership. It's insane that we have a situation in the modern world where the balance of power hangs entirely on the unknown sanity of one deluded psychopath. Putin is a dead man no matter which way you cut this, the only question is how many others have to die because of his narcissism.

It's good to see at least some British news agencies paying attention to what's going on - the rest seem preoccupied with celebrity gossip and the national harakiri being undertaken by Truss et al. The silent movement of Russia's nuclear divisions to the frontline is rather ominous - I am absolutely convinced, and have been since March, that Putin will inevitably be forced to target Ukraine with a nuclear weapon to shake things up as he loses. He's done nothing to repel Ukraine's advances so far. I fear when the Duma finally ratifies the annexation we will see the Russians make a move along these lines, likely somewhere in one of the annexed regions so they can claim it was on Russian soil all along.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Bob Russell — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:45:19 GMT

The UK does not have a shortage of gas. Home production has been stepped up and most of the rest comes from Norway. The problem is that it is all priced at world prices. The UK has never been that dependent on Russian gas.

We are not going to run out but we may run out of money!!

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

cairncross — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:03:50 GMT

In NI gas is relatively recent much domestic supply is electric or oil heating and even industry I think isn't yet very gas dependant. Actually witnessed the pipe being installed both sides of the urish sea on vet school flatmates farm oneside snd uncles on the other

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

cairncross — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:00:25 GMT

Yes the pipeline news made me look up the other supplylines , really it doesn't seem there would be much preventing them being destroyed almost on a whim

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Dinu Catilina — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 14:46:34 GMT

[quote userid="19228" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239370#239370"]I don't know much about the geopolitics just the holes in the gas pipe made me think how vulnerable our energy supply is [/quote]

Very close to the exploded pipe you can find another pipe that brings gas from Sweden to Germany. And internet cables. So yes, these things are vulnerable.

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239371#239371"]As long as Russia don't start punching holes in the UK to Ireland gas supplies should be fine.[/quote]

If UK mainland doesn't have enough gas I would not be surprised if Ireland comes second.

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239367#239367"]As I understand it Eastern Ukraine has been in the hands of war lords and residents may welcome a return to Ukranian control.[/quote]

Perhaps. But the previous president, the one dethroned by Maidan revolutionaries, the pro russian one, was elected mainly in those eastern Ukrainians regions.

As previously mentioned, history shows that Russia itself cares very little about human lives, regardless of ethnicity. Nothing has changes for the past 1000 years

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 14:37:38 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239371#239371"]UK media have far more 'interesting' codswallop to discuss.[/quote]

Depends what your radio/TV is tuned into. Try Radio 4 or late night programs such as John Simpson

Have a look at China news if you have cable or even Russia today, we get one sided reporting

As with any conflict, you have to look at 'why?' In the case of the EU and UK, we are pushing for rare earth metals as the green agenda demands this. China has negotiated 90% of the worlds supply, something many countries are gradually getting to grips with AKA the USA spotting Chinese influence in their back yard (South America) Ukraine has a huge land mass as does Kazakhstan and Mongolia from where I have just come back. In the case of these countries their land is stuffed with resources that the West needs and China has yet to get. There's always an underlying reason for land grabs and defense from the West

Neil

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Bob Russell — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 14:12:47 GMT

As long as Russia don't start punching holes in the UK to Ireland gas supplies should be fine.What may not be fine is the price that gets paid as this is linked to world energy prices.

UK media have far more 'interesting' codswallop to discuss. Love Island and Strictly are far more important!

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

cairncross — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:36:36 GMT

I don't know much about the geopolitics just the holes in the gas pipe made me think how vulnerable our energy supply is and the discussion on rolling blackouts seems to be getting much more prominence in Irish media and really don't see much on UK media , we get both in NI.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Bob Russell — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:07:55 GMT

I don't see a fudged deal working or any deal unless Putin goes. At best the Russians may keep Crimea which has always been a big naval base. Most anti-Russian Ukranians will have left anyway.

As I understand it Eastern Ukraine has been in the hands of war lords and residents may welcome a return to Ukranian control.

Ukranian defences are likely to be bolstered so a future invasion would be avoided.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

cairncross — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 12:03:23 GMT

Apparently mobile network masts round here are currently upgrading their battery set up .

Labels we had but need to check where thanks for that reminder.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

grumpyoldman — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 12:01:36 GMT

I took the liberty of reading Antony Beevor s books on the revolution 1917-21 Stalingrad, & Kursk . What strikes you is the phenomenal disregard of life and individuals . What a tinder box Ukraine has been for hundreds of years . The last 30 being unusually calm. How Russians don’t care about losses . They shot 13500 of their own people at Stalingrad and over 50 000 deserted and joined the German 6th Army . They shot people for sleeping too much eating too much looking a bit shifty and disagreeing with Stalin about anything . When the Germans surrendered they just marched they about everyday until they mostly dropped dead of starvation . The best we can hope for Is a fudged deal and No nukes. Although how long before they have another pop would be questionable. Basically they think it’s Yorkshire.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Bob Russell — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 08:50:13 GMT

We have most things on emergency back ups which should keep things running for a few minutes to get organised. Completely unreliable!!

We have pre-printed labels that are completed by hand.

Battery back up to op light works for a bit but then emergency head lamps!

Vaccine fridges stay closed until the power goes back on. Still have camping gas lights for the rooms but these were bought pre-LED.

We needed these when the local substation just outside our door went bang! Then again when the electricity board allowed the big generator on a lorry to run out of fuel.

Many years ago but we found the 'blitz' spirit encouraging and clients were supportive.

Phones (VOIP) will divert automatically to the practice mobile so that keep working. Mobile networks keep functioning.

Fingers crossed this will not be needed.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

cairncross — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 05:16:42 GMT

With Mr Putin it now seems showing that he can fenestrate the European energy supply network at will and industry and government in Ireland arguing out a plan to prioritise and manage rolling blackouts , what preparations can we make?

I have a battery back up system for our main computer and Internet access router and some tablets that can charge up this is largely untested over any repeat cycles . We have a smallish generator and an older spare which can run one emergency operating set up .

In the winter months the majority of our clients come in the hours of darkness , to evening clinic . Will we have to book routine surgeries around days when power and staff Co incide to be on. Fridges full of vaccine and temp sensitive meds and lab equipment might be difficulties I haven't much experience of managing on repeat cycles of on off supply.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

vetbl.locum — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 21:30:22 GMT

Mad Vlad is has now sabotaged his gas pipelines ......

In other news our absent Ms Truss has phoned Ukraine :

President Zen has promised to help UK as much as he can......

Rgds

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Bob Russell — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:36:41 GMT

Apparently more than 1300 people have been arrested since the mad man spoke yesterday.

Not sure how big their jails are but they must be a hive of activity at the moment.

How nice it would be if this was the start of a repeat of East Germany collapsing. Sadly not that optimistic.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:32:08 GMT

[quote userid="9239" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239250#239250"]Unfortunately these are the city dwellers, the moscovites and such. He might receive quite a lot of support from the rural eastern areas. [/quote]

Yeah, I was struck by how totally taken in the rural dwellers are with Putin's propaganda when I saw some being interviewed on TV. And something else I have just learned. According to some estimates I found online, only between 5 and 30% of Russians speak English (wikipedia says 12%). That means very few will be hearing or reading anything other than the Russian side of the story. I suspect the only thing that will stop Putin is bodybags coming back to Russia. And even then, the rural proletariat may still believe that it's a price worth paying for saving Mother Russia from the West.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Dinu Catilina — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 12:53:01 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239246#239246"]Hopefully the Russian people will resist a mass call-up. Let's hope Putin falls soon![/quote]

Unfortunately these are the city dwellers, the moscovites and such. He might receive quite a lot of support from the rural eastern areas.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

vetbl.locum — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 19:56:17 GMT

Sadly I think that is wishful thinking

But let's hope so.

Rgds

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Bob Russell — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:43:26 GMT

Hopefully the Russian people will resist a mass call-up. Let's hope Putin falls soon!

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Richard Carter — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 10:49:50 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239242#239242"]mobilising our own troops.[/quote]

Well we got some that have swords, some have horses and a few that pull a gun carriage very nicely. Up our way think we down to about 15 fighter aircraft with a few more up in Scotland. Probably best we cheer on encouragement because if we get to the big boys in the submarines, we can all go home

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Miriam Lodewyks — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 10:46:40 GMT

I’m just reading Ken Follet’s “NEVER”… sobering.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 10:24:21 GMT

[quote userid="11202" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30164/russia-and-the-ukraine/239094#239094"]Yes, he has but not called for general mobilisation yet[/quote]

Well, we're certainly getting closer to that now.

So now he holds dodgy referendums on the back of which he will claim that the territory he now holds is Russian and thereby change the narrative to it being about the Ukraine and the West invading Russia. Against whom he'll put in another 300K troops.

Where on earth does it all go from here? It doesn't seem like such a large step to mobilising our own troops.

RE: Russia and the Ukraine...??

vetbl.locum — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 22:27:31 GMT

Yes, he has but not called for general mobilisation yet

Perhaps a sign of loosening of his grip on power ?

Rgds