Paco Dennis
SF VIP
- Location
- Mid-Missouri
I screwed up. Sorry to have posted to this thread...I don't want to participate in this one, but thought I was posting to "Alternative views of the Ukraine war".
Countdown to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Thread starter Irwin
- Start date
Nosy Bee-54
Senior Member
"U.S. natural gas prices surged to the highest level in more than 13 years Monday as Russia’s war on Ukraine causes a global energy crunch and as forecasts called for cooler spring temperatures.
Futures jumped 10% to trade as high as $8.05 per million British thermal units, the highest since September 2008. The jump builds on recent strength, with natural gas coming off five straight positive weeks.
Prices later retreated slightly, with the contract ending the day 7.12% higher at $7.82.
“The impact of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to be long-lasting for North American natural gas markets,” said David Givens, head of natural gas and power services for North America at Argus Media.
EBW Analytics added that a “bullish weather shift” has sent the U.S. market into “overdrive.”
For the year, U.S. natural gas prices are now up 108%, which is adding to inflationary concerns across the economy. The move is less extreme than in Europe, where natural gas futures have risen to record levels ..."
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/18/nat...008-as-russias-war-upends-energy-markets.html
Some people squeal about paying higher prices, yet emotionally support more sanctions. The US can only replace about 4% of the natural gas that Russia supplies to Europe. The everyday European doesn't want to suffer for one nation only. All bets are off if Marie Le Pen knocks off Macron in the runoff.
Futures jumped 10% to trade as high as $8.05 per million British thermal units, the highest since September 2008. The jump builds on recent strength, with natural gas coming off five straight positive weeks.
Prices later retreated slightly, with the contract ending the day 7.12% higher at $7.82.
“The impact of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is likely to be long-lasting for North American natural gas markets,” said David Givens, head of natural gas and power services for North America at Argus Media.
EBW Analytics added that a “bullish weather shift” has sent the U.S. market into “overdrive.”
For the year, U.S. natural gas prices are now up 108%, which is adding to inflationary concerns across the economy. The move is less extreme than in Europe, where natural gas futures have risen to record levels ..."
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/18/nat...008-as-russias-war-upends-energy-markets.html
Some people squeal about paying higher prices, yet emotionally support more sanctions. The US can only replace about 4% of the natural gas that Russia supplies to Europe. The everyday European doesn't want to suffer for one nation only. All bets are off if Marie Le Pen knocks off Macron in the runoff.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russia's large-scale offensive in the eastern Donbas region had begun.
After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the Donbas region that pro-Moscow separatists have partly controlled since 2014.
Russia withdrew many of its troops from the region around the Ukrainian capital at the start of the month, and in recent weeks fighting has intensified as the bulk of Russian troops redeployed to a swathe of territory to the south-east of Kharkiv.
'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said on Telegram.
'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.
'I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbass, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'
The offensive in the Donbas marks a new phase of the war which will see Russia double down on its efforts to seize the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk after attempts to seize cities across Ukraine were repelled.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-scale-offensive-control-eastern-Ukraine.html
After weeks of having their assaults on Kyiv thwarted at every turn, Putin's commanders are now refocusing their efforts on the Donbas region that pro-Moscow separatists have partly controlled since 2014.
Russia withdrew many of its troops from the region around the Ukrainian capital at the start of the month, and in recent weeks fighting has intensified as the bulk of Russian troops redeployed to a swathe of territory to the south-east of Kharkiv.
'We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive,' Zelensky said on Telegram.
'No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.
'I am grateful to all our fighters, to all our heroic cities in Donbass, Mariupol, as well as to the cities in the region of Kharkiv that are being held.'
The offensive in the Donbas marks a new phase of the war which will see Russia double down on its efforts to seize the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk after attempts to seize cities across Ukraine were repelled.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-scale-offensive-control-eastern-Ukraine.html
Furryanimal
Y gath o Gymru
- Location
- Wales
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is allegedly considering using nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Such a reckless move would make the entire world, including China, to turn against Moscow, international observer Ivan Yakovyna told NV Radio.
As it stands, there is no chance that Russia will manage to execute its operation in Donbas flawlessly, encircle Ukrainian troops there, and be in a position to dictate terms to Kyiv.
The way the battlefield is developing, the Donbas offensive threatens the Kremlin with a staggering military defeat and a shattered army. The United States is very well aware of how the Russian army is armed and equipped, and what the moral situation there is like.
https://english.nv.ua/nation/using-...to-put-an-end-to-putin-s-regime-50235171.html
for the whole article
As it stands, there is no chance that Russia will manage to execute its operation in Donbas flawlessly, encircle Ukrainian troops there, and be in a position to dictate terms to Kyiv.
The way the battlefield is developing, the Donbas offensive threatens the Kremlin with a staggering military defeat and a shattered army. The United States is very well aware of how the Russian army is armed and equipped, and what the moral situation there is like.
https://english.nv.ua/nation/using-...to-put-an-end-to-putin-s-regime-50235171.html
for the whole article
Nosy Bee-54
Senior Member
"Bosses and unions in Germany have joined forces to oppose a possible EU ban on Russian gas, saying it would grind industry to a halt.
Many figures in Germany are calling for an EU-wide ban on Russian gas imports, following the country's invasion of Ukraine in February.
But German employers and trade unions announced Monday they oppose such a move, saying it would lead to job losses and factory shutdowns in the EU's largest economy.
“A rapid gas embargo would lead to loss of production, shutdowns, a further de-industrialization and the long-term loss of work positions in Germany,” said Rainer Dulger, chairman of the BDA employer's group, and Reiner Hoffmann, chairman of the DGB trade union confederation, in a joint statement Monday.
Germany - alongside Italy, Hungary and Austria - is very dependent on Russian energy and has been one of the most reticent EU member states to sanction gas and oil imports from the country.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned a sudden cut-off of Russian gas would plunge "all of Europe into a recession."
Analysts say an EU boycott of Russian energy would lead to higher energy prices, hurting consumers who are already facing a record EU inflation of 7.5%."
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/...unions-unite-to-oppose-eu-russian-gas-boycott
Many figures in Germany are calling for an EU-wide ban on Russian gas imports, following the country's invasion of Ukraine in February.
But German employers and trade unions announced Monday they oppose such a move, saying it would lead to job losses and factory shutdowns in the EU's largest economy.
“A rapid gas embargo would lead to loss of production, shutdowns, a further de-industrialization and the long-term loss of work positions in Germany,” said Rainer Dulger, chairman of the BDA employer's group, and Reiner Hoffmann, chairman of the DGB trade union confederation, in a joint statement Monday.
Germany - alongside Italy, Hungary and Austria - is very dependent on Russian energy and has been one of the most reticent EU member states to sanction gas and oil imports from the country.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned a sudden cut-off of Russian gas would plunge "all of Europe into a recession."
Analysts say an EU boycott of Russian energy would lead to higher energy prices, hurting consumers who are already facing a record EU inflation of 7.5%."
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/...unions-unite-to-oppose-eu-russian-gas-boycott
Nosy Bee-54
Senior Member
"In the short term, the US sees the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of equipment to be vital to the Ukrainians’ ability to hold off Moscow’s invasion. A senior defense official said Tuesday that it is “certainly the largest recent supply to a partner country in a conflict.” But the risk, both current US officials and defense analysts say, is that in the long term, some of those weapons may wind up in the hands of other militaries and militias that the US did not intend to arm.
Because the US military is not on the ground, the US and NATO are heavily reliant on information provided by Ukraine’s government. Privately, officials recognize that Ukraine has an incentive to give only information that will bolster their case for more aid, more arms and more diplomatic assistance.
“It’s hard to track with nobody on the ground,” said one source familiar with the intelligence.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/19/politics/us-weapons-ukraine-intelligence/index.html
Because the US military is not on the ground, the US and NATO are heavily reliant on information provided by Ukraine’s government. Privately, officials recognize that Ukraine has an incentive to give only information that will bolster their case for more aid, more arms and more diplomatic assistance.
“It’s hard to track with nobody on the ground,” said one source familiar with the intelligence.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/19/politics/us-weapons-ukraine-intelligence/index.html
Furryanimal
Y gath o Gymru
- Location
- Wales
Olena Roshchina – Wednesday, 20 April 2022, 08:33Serhii Volynskyi (known as Volyna), Commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has called on foreign countries to undertake an "extraction" of people from Mariupol; that is, to evacuate military personnel and civilians to a safe place. He said that only a few hours, or at most days, remain for people to be saved.
Source: Serhii Volynskyi in a video address published by Nataliia Nahorna, a reporter
According to Volynskyi: "This is our appeal to the world. It could be our last appeal. We might only have a few days, or even hours, left.
The enemy forces are tens of times bigger than ours. They control the air and dominate in terms of artillery, land forces, equipment, and tanks.
We are holding the line of defence at one site, the Azovstal plant, which currently houses both the Mariupol military garrison and civilians trapped in the midst of the war.
We are asking world leaders to help us. We are asking them to carry out an "extraction" operation and evacuate us to the territory of a third country.
At the Mariupol military garrison, we have over 500 wounded soldiers and hundreds of civilians, including women and children. We ask to be given safety on the territory of a third country. Thank you."
Earlier: On the night of 19-20 April, Serhii Volynskyi shared a written address in which he described two scenarios for saving Mariupol: a military one involving a lightning strike, or a political one involving political agreements.
Earlier President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said that Turkey was prepared to evacuate civilians and wounded soldiers from the besieged city by sea. Turkey has been holding negotiations concerning this, but so far these have not yielded results.
Background: "Exfiltration" or "extraction" is a tactic of removing personnel (military, civilian) from a hostile environment to a secure location in conditions where there is a threat of loss of control over the territory and death.
Furryanimal
Y gath o Gymru
- Location
- Wales
Furryanimal
Y gath o Gymru
- Location
- Wales
Nosy Bee-54
Senior Member
Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson argued that business leaders should speak out and help to stop funding Russia's invasion of Ukraine in an interview with Euronews.
"Now is not the time for neutrality. Russia's invasion is unprovoked. It's unacceptable... business leaders should start to speak out."
Branson said that businesses could cut back on their "least profitable operations" and individuals can make small changes.
If governments introduce speed limits and people cut electricity use, "we could take nearly three million barrels a day of oil out of the market".
https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/20...iness-leaders-to-unite-to-stop-war-in-ukraine
Can there be that many people who want to go to these suggested extremes?
"Now is not the time for neutrality. Russia's invasion is unprovoked. It's unacceptable... business leaders should start to speak out."
Branson said that businesses could cut back on their "least profitable operations" and individuals can make small changes.
If governments introduce speed limits and people cut electricity use, "we could take nearly three million barrels a day of oil out of the market".
https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/20...iness-leaders-to-unite-to-stop-war-in-ukraine
Can there be that many people who want to go to these suggested extremes?
Furryanimal
Y gath o Gymru
- Location
- Wales
Russian troops continue to make every effort to talk about at least some victories, but this will not help Russia in the war against Ukraine.
The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“In the south and east of our country, the occupiers continue to do everything to have a reason to talk about at least some victories. They are accumulating forces, driving new battalion tactical groups to our land. They are even trying to start the so-called mobilization in the occupied regions of Ukraine,” Zelensky told.
In his words, none of these steps will help Russia in the war against Ukraine. They can only delay the inevitable, i.e. the time when the invaders will have to leave Ukraine’s territory.
Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine is doing his best in the international arena to ensure that the world provides support for Ukraine. On April 21, 2022, Zelensky addressed the Parliament and the people of Portugal. This was the 26th address by the President of Ukraine to the parliaments of partner states. After that Zelensky addressed the participants of the special spring session of the World Bank. During the day, the President of Ukraine also met with the Prime Ministers of Spain and Denmark.
“I can say that each of these speeches really gives us additional support. Brings the decision to provide assistance to Ukraine, including defensive one, closer. And most importantly, each of these addresses helps establish a direct emotional connection between what we are experiencing in Ukraine and what the political class is experiencing in the partner countries,” Zelensky noted
The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“In the south and east of our country, the occupiers continue to do everything to have a reason to talk about at least some victories. They are accumulating forces, driving new battalion tactical groups to our land. They are even trying to start the so-called mobilization in the occupied regions of Ukraine,” Zelensky told.
In his words, none of these steps will help Russia in the war against Ukraine. They can only delay the inevitable, i.e. the time when the invaders will have to leave Ukraine’s territory.
Meanwhile, the President of Ukraine is doing his best in the international arena to ensure that the world provides support for Ukraine. On April 21, 2022, Zelensky addressed the Parliament and the people of Portugal. This was the 26th address by the President of Ukraine to the parliaments of partner states. After that Zelensky addressed the participants of the special spring session of the World Bank. During the day, the President of Ukraine also met with the Prime Ministers of Spain and Denmark.
“I can say that each of these speeches really gives us additional support. Brings the decision to provide assistance to Ukraine, including defensive one, closer. And most importantly, each of these addresses helps establish a direct emotional connection between what we are experiencing in Ukraine and what the political class is experiencing in the partner countries,” Zelensky noted
Yesterday after church, we had a quick meeting with the organizer who is rounding up sponsors to bring Ukraine families here to America. The meeting only lasted about 10-15 minutes or so and it was only to bring everyone up to date on the applications that were submitted to the State Department and Homeland Security. When the meeting had ended, the organizer walked up to my wife and I and asked if he could have a word with us.
He told us that not to be surprised or feel degraded if our application is rejected. The organizer told us that most people who are over 70 years of age are not making out very well with having their application being accepted. My wife was heartbroken. We talked about it on the way home and I told her that maybe our daughter would be interested in taking our place, but we would foot the expenses. We’ll have to wait until we get the acceptance or rejection letter before moving forward.
He told us that not to be surprised or feel degraded if our application is rejected. The organizer told us that most people who are over 70 years of age are not making out very well with having their application being accepted. My wife was heartbroken. We talked about it on the way home and I told her that maybe our daughter would be interested in taking our place, but we would foot the expenses. We’ll have to wait until we get the acceptance or rejection letter before moving forward.
Timewise 60+
Senior Member
So I hear on the news this morning that the USA is going to restaff the American Embassy in Ukraine?! How the he__ is that going to work? Seems like we are making a target for Putin to hit, so we an "officially" go to war! This is very scary and makes no since...
Don M.
SF VIP
- Location
- central Missouri
Ukraine is a tragedy. But, with NATO, and the U.S. continuing to ramp up military supplies and equipment to Ukraine, we are just increasing the odds that Putin will expand his attacks beyond Ukraine. The more "frustrated" Putin becomes with the setbacks the Russian military is experiencing, the more likely he will be to use a "tactical" nuke. If that happens, the world is Screwed!
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Two newspapers - one Swedish, the other Finnish - have reported the governments of Sweden and Finland have agreed to submit NATO applications at the same time and that it will happen in the middle of next month.
Finnish newspaper Iltalehti said that the Swedish government has expressed a wish to Finland that they apply together in the week starting May 22 and Swedish government sources confirmed the information to Sweden's Expressen tabloid.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to growing support in Sweden and Finland, a Russian neighbour, for joining NATO.
Though not members, both Nordic countries closely co-operate with NATO, allowing, among other things, the alliance's troops to carry out exercises on their soil.
Helsinki and Stockholm have also substantially intensified their bilateral defence co-operation in the past years, and there was talk earlier this month that the Nordic territories could both seek to join NATO in the coming months amid Russian aggression.
Sources told Sweden's SVD newspaper about the move on the same day that fellow neutral neighbour Finland started its debate on joining NATO after days of speculation it would do so.
Sweden's prime minister Magdalena Andersson is understood to be eager for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance by June, to the fury of Vladimir Putin who invaded Ukraine in part for its desire to join to the pact.
Finland, along with neighbouring Sweden, has historically avoided NATO membership, despite close alignment with the West, in an effort not to provoke Russia.
But Putin's invasion of Ukraine has decisively changed public opinion in the Scandinavian countries after Russia began the war with a barrage of rhetoric about stopping NATO expansion.
The Swedish application was previously expected to be submitted by the NATO meeting in Madrid on June 29-20, according to Swedish reports earlier this month, but the latest information reported in the Swedish and Finnish press suggests this date may be brought forward.
Similarly, Finland is hoping to start its application process 'within weeks, not within months', its prime minister Sanna Marin said April 13.
This comes despite Moscow lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov warning it would mean 'the destruction of the country'.
more here...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...NATO-membership-defiance-Russian-threats.html
Finnish newspaper Iltalehti said that the Swedish government has expressed a wish to Finland that they apply together in the week starting May 22 and Swedish government sources confirmed the information to Sweden's Expressen tabloid.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to growing support in Sweden and Finland, a Russian neighbour, for joining NATO.
Though not members, both Nordic countries closely co-operate with NATO, allowing, among other things, the alliance's troops to carry out exercises on their soil.
Helsinki and Stockholm have also substantially intensified their bilateral defence co-operation in the past years, and there was talk earlier this month that the Nordic territories could both seek to join NATO in the coming months amid Russian aggression.
Sources told Sweden's SVD newspaper about the move on the same day that fellow neutral neighbour Finland started its debate on joining NATO after days of speculation it would do so.
Sweden's prime minister Magdalena Andersson is understood to be eager for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance by June, to the fury of Vladimir Putin who invaded Ukraine in part for its desire to join to the pact.
Finland, along with neighbouring Sweden, has historically avoided NATO membership, despite close alignment with the West, in an effort not to provoke Russia.
But Putin's invasion of Ukraine has decisively changed public opinion in the Scandinavian countries after Russia began the war with a barrage of rhetoric about stopping NATO expansion.
The Swedish application was previously expected to be submitted by the NATO meeting in Madrid on June 29-20, according to Swedish reports earlier this month, but the latest information reported in the Swedish and Finnish press suggests this date may be brought forward.
Similarly, Finland is hoping to start its application process 'within weeks, not within months', its prime minister Sanna Marin said April 13.
This comes despite Moscow lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov warning it would mean 'the destruction of the country'.
more here...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...NATO-membership-defiance-Russian-threats.html
mellowyellow
Well-known Member
So sorry you were disappointed after your generous offer was rejected, but can’t help agreeing with the organizer that opening up your home to strangers at our age (over 70s) could be a very traumatic experience. A few days after the novelty wears off, the reality might not be as you imagined it to be.
Thank you, but we haven’t been denied yet, but our hope has dwindled.
Furryanimal
Y gath o Gymru
- Location
- Wales
Lavrov: 'Real risk' of nuclear war. The risk of a nuclear war shouldn’t be underestimated, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told state-controlled media on April 25. Lavrov already said on March 2 that if World War III were to take place, it would involve nuclear weapons and be destructive.
12:08 AM
Zelensky: 931 settlements liberated from Russian forces. In his daily address, President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that it was only a matter of time before Ukrainians liberate all their lands from Russian troops. .
Kyiv Independent
12:08 AM
Zelensky: 931 settlements liberated from Russian forces. In his daily address, President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that it was only a matter of time before Ukrainians liberate all their lands from Russian troops. .
Kyiv Independent
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Ukrainian grandmother has narrowly escaped death after a Russian soldier gave her a boobytrapped carton of milk loaded with explosives.
In a disturbing new twist to Putin's war on Ukraine, Russian soldiers are now pretending to hand out 'humanitarian aid'.
But when the pensioner from the besieged city of Kherson went to open the screw top carton she noticed wires attached to the lid.
Further investigation revealed the wires led to a detonator.
The OAP's son told local media in.kherson.ua: 'My retired mother noticed that there was something wrong with this milk, as if someone had been drinking from it before, or if it was broken.
'She carefully unscrewed the cap and showed me what was there.'
The boobytrapped milk carton contained a homemade explosive attached to a fishing line which when opened would detonate the bomb.
Click here for the video... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...d-BOMB-given-grandmother-Russian-soldier.html
In a disturbing new twist to Putin's war on Ukraine, Russian soldiers are now pretending to hand out 'humanitarian aid'.
But when the pensioner from the besieged city of Kherson went to open the screw top carton she noticed wires attached to the lid.
Further investigation revealed the wires led to a detonator.
The OAP's son told local media in.kherson.ua: 'My retired mother noticed that there was something wrong with this milk, as if someone had been drinking from it before, or if it was broken.
'She carefully unscrewed the cap and showed me what was there.'
The boobytrapped milk carton contained a homemade explosive attached to a fishing line which when opened would detonate the bomb.
Click here for the video... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...d-BOMB-given-grandmother-Russian-soldier.html
It must be really hard to do, being surrounded by security. I appreciate your sentiment! Thank you.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
I agree..
With regard the milk carton bomb/s.. I suspect that these photographs of the soldiers handing out food supplies to the elderly Ukrainian people are the ones being distributed to the Russian people as 'proof' that Russia is caring for the People, and that the West's propaganda is all lies... ..no-one will be showing the photos of the inside of these milk or food cartons..
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
not a tenous connection at all.. you're quarter Ukrainian . Do you have any relatives still in Ukraine ?
I don't know. I would assume cousins, but I don't know. I know most Jews have left Odesa. In my Grandma's time it was mostly a Jewish ghetto, but my Jewish Ukrainian neighbor from Odesa told me most Jews left and Odesa is now considered Christian. So glad this neighbor & her family left. They are wonderful people.