Russian invasion of Ukraine

[cookster]

Do Marathonbet have deep ties with Russia? Rag mate keeps banging on about it.

 

[lonestay]

I wonder if he as a person has nothing to lose ? I read somewhere he has Parkinson's maybe he feels this is his last chance to assert his authority in a good old fashioned Soviet way ?

 

[mackenzie]

I honestly don't know what to make of him at present. He's always been evil/despotic, but at the same time very calculated and to risk quoting trump 'clever'. What we have seen recently seems more unhinged and desperate. Interesting to note his lack of costume changes - I'm assuming he can afford more than one suit, shirt and tie, so he's either recording things in one day or just has a favourite Dr evil suit.

I think that when someone has unbridled power and wealth, but is getting older, then their thoughts often turn to their "legacy." I don't think Putin's legacy is going to be quite like he imagined.
The world has changed immeasurably since the Cold War, and people of every nation are connected in ways that were unthinkable then. He's a dinosaur, and has misjudged the modern world entirely.

 

[Scottyboi]

About 2 weeks too late unfortunately.

Yep, pretty sure most of their navy are already in the Black Sea.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Covefefe.

That too.

 

[hello]

Looks like the zoo in Kiev has been hit, feel for all the animals in there, must've been terrifying for them. And before anyone starts with the ' they're only animals' bs, they still have feelings

Cue Russian media accusing the drug taking genocidal Jewish nazi maniacs from using animals as shields to launch devastating attacks on mother Russia.

 

[HelloCity]

 

[Chippy_boy]

Really?
You don’t think Putin mad enough to consider tactical nukes?

This is what really worries me. He knows the west have the firepower but that we are weak (read: sensible). I can envisage a scenario where he thinks he can nuke somewhere and gamble on us not retaliating for fear of the end of the world.

 

[Holcombe bloo]

OSINT believe a Russian engineer battalion wiped out in Kherson.

Great, more Russian dead the better, can’t stand the fuckers

 

[Brightwell’s left peg]

As noble as that is, I can’t say it isn’t a worrying development. That creates a definite flashpoint for Russia/NATO.

 

[nellyonthewing]

For those who ask: “Why does Ukraine matter

“
This is why Ukraine matters.

It is the second largest country by area in Europe by area and has a population
of over 40 million - more than Poland.
Minerals:
Ukraine ranks:
1st in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores;
2nd place in Europe and 10th place in the world in terms of titanium ore reserves;
2nd place in the world in terms of explored reserves of manganese ores (2.3 billion tons, or 12% of the world's reserves);
2nd largest iron ore reserves in the world (30 billion tons);
2nd place in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves;
3rd place in Europe (13th place in the world) in shale gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters)
4th in the world by the total value of natural resources;
7th place in the world in coal reserves (33.9 billion tons)
Ukraine is an important agricultural country:
1st in Europe in terms of arable land area;
3rd place in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world's volume);
1st place in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil;
2nd place in the world in barley production and 4th place in barley exports;
3rd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of corn in the world;
4th largest producer of potatoes in the world;
5th largest rye producer in the world;
5th place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons);
8th place in the world in wheat exports;
9th place in the world in the production of chicken eggs;
16th place in the world in cheese exports.
Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people.
Ukraine is an important industrialised country:
1st in Europe in ammonia production;
Europe's 2nd’s and the world’s 4th largest natural gas pipeline system;
3rd largest in Europe and 8th largest in the world in terms of installed capacity of nuclear power plants;
3rd place in Europe and 11th in the world in terms of rail network length (21,700 km);
3rd place in the world (after the U.S. and France) in production of locators and locating equipment;
3rd largest iron exporter in the world
4th largest exporter of turbines for nuclear power plants in the world;
4th world's largest manufacturer of rocket launchers;
4th place in the world in clay exports
4th place in the world in titanium exports
8th place in the world in exports of ores and concentrates;
9th place in the world in exports of defence industry products;
10th largest steel producer in the world (32.4 million tons).
Ukraine matters

That is why its independence is important to the rest of the world

Those sanctions are like a minor irritation now he's hoovering up this.

 

[Scottyboi]

This is what really worries me. He knows the west have the firepower but that we are weak (read: sensible). I can envisage a scenario where he thinks he can nuke somewhere and gamble on us not retaliating for fear of the end of the world.

A chilling thought, I think the world would be so horrified Putin would be gone in an instant.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

This is what really worries me. He knows the west have the firepower but that we are weak (read: sensible). I can envisage a scenario where he thinks he can nuke somewhere and gamble on us not retaliating for fear of the end of the world.

If he goes near a nuclear option- I think that is when an internal Russian bullet goes straight into his cabbage patch face.

 

[Blue and true]

I wonder if he as a person has nothing to lose ? I read somewhere he has Parkinson's maybe he feels this is his last chance to assert his authority in a good old fashioned Soviet way ?

I'd say this is probably the deciding factor. He's an unfeeling sociopath and this is the kind of legacy he'll have dreamed about for decades.

 

[waspish]

For the millionth time, they already border two NATO countries.

 

[west didsblue]

For the millionth time, they already border two NATO countries.

Five actually. Six if sea borders are included.
Land borders to Estonia, Latvia and Norway from contiguous Russia. Poland and Lithuania from Kaliningrad, and the USA across the Bering straits.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I think that when someone has unbridled power and wealth, but is getting older, then their thoughts often turn to their "legacy." I don't think Putin's legacy is going to be quite like he imagined.
The world has changed immeasurably since the Cold War, and people of every nation are connected in ways that were unthinkable then. He's a dinosaur, and has misjudged the modern world entirely.

I think think crystallises the situation perfectly. The Internet has changed everything immeasurably. Why would warfare be immune?

 

[Thornliebank]

Where is ‘ Stop The War ‘ and all the other usual rent a mobs ?
Guess they’re waiting for the first Israeli plane flying over the West Bank before they fill the London streets with rage again.

 

[cookster]

Where is ‘ Stop The War ‘ and all the other usual rent a mobs ?
Guess they’re waiting for the first Israeli plane flying over the West Bank before they fill the London streets with rage again.

Weird post.
There's been loads of demonstrations.

 

[kevin horlocks wand]

Where is ‘ Stop The War ‘ and all the other usual rent a mobs ?
Guess they’re waiting for the first Israeli plane flying over the West Bank before they fill the London streets with rage again.

you would think there would be quite a crowd outside the Russian embassy protesting but I think a lot of them are still glued to the m25.