What would you have then - the West go to war with Russia while there's still an option not to? What do you think the consequences of that may be?
War with Russia should be avoided as the cost in human lives would be huge. I think the present strategy should be continued. Ramp up the pressure on Putin and hope he is removed by his own people. This could last for a long time.
The UK backing Poland to send fighter jets could escalate this pretty quickly depending on how Putin responds. A dangerous move imo.
I'm no military expert and won't pretend to be but as I understand it Russia can or have installed long range anti-aircraft weapons just over the Russian border. Nato aircraft wouldn't be able to take those out without combat on Russian soil and can't operate safely with them in place. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-500_missile_system
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
I think Poland said that if they do donate some aircraft, the Ukrainian pilots have to come and fly them out. It does sound like Russia wouldn't be pleased about that but it wouldn't really be any different to the west donating other defensive weapons. The others countries have simply said they will support Poland (with the US providing fighter replacements).
The nfz is exactly how wild edges describes. It's not possible because of long range weapons situated in Russia. Even if it was just in the Ukraine it would be impossible to do anything without declaring war. As horrible as it sounds, the Ukrainians are on their own. An nfz would limit the Ukrainian defense as well but it's hard to convince an impassioned leader who is seeing his people murdered.
I don't know how it can be spun that Russian forces are achieving their objectives at an expected pace when they are currently recruiting Syrian fighters to help.
I like the idea of armed drones targeting the fuel tankers in the famous 40km convoy.
It was mentioned that covert operations could be taking place by Ukrainian friends, with plausible deniability. At the end of the day, how do you prove that the drone flyer wasn't in Ukraine.
Totally agree with @pansyface about the shambles of the British "Ukrainian family scheme" for issuing visas. It's utterly shameful to have issued only 300 visas so far, out of 8,900 applications at the last count. And if you happen to be a truck driver coming to UK from Calais, woe betide you if you take pity on the Ukrainian refugees waiting there, and bring some across the channel. £2000 fine.
I never thought I'd become ashamed to be British. Eventually we can apply for Irish citizenship - that prospect is becoming more appealing day by day, as the deficiencies in Irish government etc are more heavily outweighed by the rubbish happening in UK.
Ireland has already taken 1800 Ukrainian refugees, who are now eligible for income support, free healthcare and a PPS number (equivalent of NI).
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Posts
This could last for a long time.
The others countries have simply said they will support Poland (with the US providing fighter replacements).
The nfz is exactly how wild edges describes. It's not possible because of long range weapons situated in Russia. Even if it was just in the Ukraine it would be impossible to do anything without declaring war. As horrible as it sounds, the Ukrainians are on their own. An nfz would limit the Ukrainian defense as well but it's hard to convince an impassioned leader who is seeing his people murdered.
I don't know how it can be spun that Russian forces are achieving their objectives at an expected pace when they are currently recruiting Syrian fighters to help.
It was mentioned that covert operations could be taking place by Ukrainian friends, with plausible deniability. At the end of the day, how do you prove that the drone flyer wasn't in Ukraine.
I never thought I'd become ashamed to be British. Eventually we can apply for Irish citizenship - that prospect is becoming more appealing day by day, as the deficiencies in Irish government etc are more heavily outweighed by the rubbish happening in UK.
Ireland has already taken 1800 Ukrainian refugees, who are now eligible for income support, free healthcare and a PPS number (equivalent of NI).