Here we go again-Ukraine once again

[Skybird]

France24 writes:

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that he had managed to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin not to "escalate" the crisis around Ukraine, as the West warns Moscow could be planning an invasion. "I obtained that there will be no degradation nor escalation," Macron told journalists as he arrived in Kyiv for talks with Ukraine's leader.

And I will have lamb steaks with Avocado pesto, grilled paprika and pan-roasted millet this evening.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Skybird

France24 writes:And I will have lamb steaks with Avocado pesto, grilled paprika and pan-roasted millet this evening.

I wonder what was going through Putins mind whilst listening to Macron?

"Why bother coming to Moscow when we all know if it comes to military conflict you'll be the first one to surrender"

[mapuc]

NATO is both military and economical stronger than Russia-It is therefore important to show a united front against Russia.

This is difficult to manage-Germany for an example their factories are depending on the Gas Germany get from Russia-Many factory owners has sent letters to the Bunderstag and said please no more sanction-they fear Russia will cut the gas.

Markus

[Skybird]

The game on the crisis: I just saw that Combat Mission: Black Sea was also relaunched on Steam after Shock Force, a year ago.

Likewise: Combat Mission: Cold War. Focus is the famous "Fulda Gap".

That engine still is doing fine on ground combat tactics. In the meaning of: its not perfect, but I do not know any better. Sometimes, however, the ai or interface can drive you crazy. Micromanagement is on order.

The historical starting point of the series, Shock Force, focussed on Syria.

Black Sea, with some shader mod and graphics mod:



Cold War: TOWs mauling a Sovjet armour attack.



Maybe the whole real world stuff should be solved by a couple of good old-fashioned PBEMs...

[Skybird]

I am wondering abiout one thing. The Ukraine sinc eweeks balks "Alarm!" and "War is imminent!"

Why haven't they started a general mobilization then?

Coud it be, as some Ukrainians said in an interview that I red, that the government just wants to distract from the corruption, economic problems and other problems it is incapable to solve?
I said that if the Russians do just bluff, its the most convicnign bluff I have ever seen. But oen thing indeed speaks very stroingly against Putin attacking: the Russian people at home deifnetly do not seem to be enthusiastic about the prospect of having their boys coming home in many, many body bags.

I don't know, since some days, something has changed for me, I suddenly have doubts that it all is seriously pointing towards war. It just does not make sense, from both sides' points of view. The contras outweigh the pros. Recent diplomatic visits have nothing to do with my change in view. Maybe I - and others - are just terribly far out on the wrong track.

We will find out soon enough. Nothing wrong in questioning oneself, if one thinks there might be a realistic reason for doing so.

[Jimbuna]

Russia's EU ambassador has told the BBC his country still believes diplomacy can help de-escalate the crisis over Ukraine.

Vladimir Chizhov said his country had no intention of invading anybody, but warned it was important not to provoke Russia into changing its mind.

It comes after a flurry of diplomatic activity on Monday and Tuesday.

Russia has repeatedly denied any plans to invade Ukraine.

But with well over 100,000 troops massed near the Ukrainian border, some Western countries including the US have warned that a Russian attack could come at any time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60315906

The first early sign of a softening of the Russian position perhaps?

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

The first early sign of a softening of the Russian position perhaps?

Sounds great indeed, I read this line a few times
"Vladimir Chizhov said his country had no intention of invading anybody, but warned it was important not to provoke Russia into changing its mind."

Who says Russia wouldn't use the NATO troops that's in eastern Europe as an excuse to invade Ukraine-Saying their presence is a provokation.

Markus

[Skybird]

5 or 6 Ropuchas (amphibous landing ships) from outside the Black Sea are in transit to Sewastopol. They lie deep in the water, seem to be heavily loaded, media say.

6 such ships can carry tanks and troops to form two armoured combat batallions.

[Jimbuna]

Any media links Sky?

[Skybird]

Macronman will not like to hear this, nor will the EU. Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said for clarification after the guest's departure that French President Emmanuel Macron had not received any guarantees about Russia's behavior in Moscow. It would not be possible to reach an agreement with France on issues of European security: After all, the United States is the leading nation in NATO, not European countries.

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Any media links Sky?

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...wards-ukraine/

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/01/...wards-ukraine/

https://www.nzz.ch/international/ukr...den-ld.1668837

One Ropucha can carry 10 armoured vehicles/tanks, and around 380 marines.

Combind with the amhibious forces already in place, the Russian have assebled the biggest amphibous strike force since WWII. Its big enough to land over 100 tanks, I read.


Add to this: naval fire, huge numbers of helicopters, preparatory bombardement, air superiority, and you have a fearsome offensiove striking power that can thre aten Mariupol or Odessa believably after regional SAMs have been taken out.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Any media links Sky?

Found this one

Three Russian Navy amphibious warfare ships are currently headed for the Black Sea from the Mediterranean and another trio is expected to follow them tomorrow. These six vessels left the Baltic Sea region in January and it has been postulated since then that the Black Sea might be their final destination. Once there, these landing ships would be in an ideal position to support amphibious options as part of a potential new Russian incursion into Ukraine.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-the-black-sea

Skybird was a second faster then me.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Appreciate the links....this is a potentially quite disturbing development in the grand scheme of things.

[Skybird]

Its consistent with the past months.

[Jimbuna]

[mapuc]

In the media here it's mostly written Ukraine-Russia/NATO Russia/NATO-Ukraine combination.

It gives the reader the impression Russia is on their own in this-Which couldn't be more wrong. Russia and 6 former Soviet states has a military cooperation-Belarus is one of them.

Can't remember who the other 5 are and the name of this military organization.

Markus