Mandy Lifeboats

Is that right or a typing mistake? They are about £1 in the UK.

Wagner are normally experienced and effective fighters. But they haven't fought effective conventional forces. They have maintained their brutality but that's showing in their attitude to their enemies and their own side. Wagner aren't going to take risks to save Chechens or vice versa. Although there is a healthy competition between UK forces, the Marines and the Paras would bust a gut to help one another in a real battle. Even if it was to get the bragging rights.

War. It’s been a part of the human race for thousands of years.

There was a Ukrainian drone flying above. I shall not describe any gruesome detail. He is lying on his back in a grassy area. His upper body seems fine. His one leg is bent at a strange angle. With some difficulty he manages to shoot himself in the chest with his own rifle. He appears dead or well beyond any help. The Ukrainian drone drops a grenade. It explodes very close with no perceivable reaction.

I think you need to see the video referenced. A seemingly lightly wounded commander shoots himself whilst lying alone. I am not doubting their ability to fight together. It’s the other things like the desire and ability to evacuate wounded.

I saw that video. He didn't look badly injured. It seemed like he'd blown his knee out or broken his leg. It summed up the major weakness with Wagner. It's a group of individuals not a team. That's OK if you are fighting poorly armed militia. But against Ukraine they'll take huge loses.

Neil Diamond's shopping.

If anyone wants to know more about this operation, search for "Aspidistra Transmitter". It truly is an amazing story that very few people are aware of.

Maybe. But here's a better idea. During WW2 the BBC ran a fake German radio station from a very powerful transmitter. The transmission was so strong that it could drown out real German radio stations. The British used it sparingly to communicate news flashes which assisted allied forces. Some examples were: Telling a city that a massive air raid was on the way and they must evacuate the city. Telling a city that saboteurs dressed as Gestapo were attacking the city and must be shot on sight. Reporting that factories had been destroyed and workers should stay at home The Germans discovered the operation and blocked its transmissions. Now image the same thing with the Russian Internet.

I am no expert but I doubt Russia could have its internet removed in an easy and peaceful manner. But its probably not a good idea anyway. Without the internet the population would be completely dependent upon official news sites. Dissident voices would find it more difficult to communicate and it would become more dangerous to spread alternative views. There's also a massive intelligence advantage for NATO being able to monitor Russian internet use and communications.

The Finish Army really is on a different level when fighting winter wars. Even the camouflage is perfect.

Peter Sellers and Stan Laurel.

A man meeting his hero. Who are they?

I went to Kilroy Castle once. I hated Record Breakers.

Neither groups are regular troops that are under the direct control of the Russian Military. They are militia/mercenaries who have their own agendas. They both want power, influence and the spoils of war. They will attack allies in order to get what they want.

Michael Collins took this photo in 1969. Collins is behind the camera. Every human living or dead is on the other side.

Accident?

I fear that taking Crimea by force is well outside Ukraine's ability. Crimea has been fought over for centuries. Its amazingly well fortified. Even the Nazis struggled to take it at their strongest when the Red Army was at its weakest. The most viable option is just to isolate it and make Russia expend a huge resource keeping it supplied. Keeping it supplied with everything from drinking water to artillery pieces is going to cost Russia dearly.

Pathetic. Didn't hit either rail.

Let me introduce you to Calendar Guy. This clown records damage to infrastructure holding an A4 piece of paper. The digital date stamp of the photo is beyond his understanding. His pictures of HIMARS damage are very entertaining.

Look on the bright side. By 2042 we are bound to sign a goalkeeper with 3 arms.

By the way. If I am wrong and there is a massive nuclear strike on the UK. I'll buy everyone a 2023/24 Season Ticket.

Read this if you are worried about nukes. During the late 80s and early 90s I was part of the Civil Defence. At the first hint of war I had a place at the now demolished shelter in Harborne. It was in Rose Avenue?? Rose Road?? My role was to monitor reports coming in from various places and try to work out what had hit the UK and what it meant in terms of damage, casualties and forthcoming dangers. During my time I took part in many exercises simulating a nuclear attack on the UK. Contrary to what you see from Hollywood, a nuclear war would nor wipe out humanity. The UK is a tiny island with a large population. We would be devastated. But we'd still have a million or two survivors. Other countries would fare much better than us. If Russia launched an attack they would not be able to destroy the military capabilities of all the countries that would now be attacking them. Especially when they would have been devastated. The side that strikes first has a massive disadvantage. China has always said that they would retaliate regardless of where that nuke was fired. Then there is the possibility that your attack will fail. A % of your weapons will fail to launch. A % of you weapons will fail to detonate. A % of your weapons will be intercepted. A % of your weapons will stray wildly off target. Striking first ensures guarantees that WW3 is you versus a very angry rest of the world team. A nuclear strike requires preparation. You need to prepare the attack and your defences. All of those preparations are noticeable to you enemy. Warheads require maintenance. Missiles need refueling. Weapons are moved from storage to operational readiness. This period is very dangerous for you. The enemy might decide to strike with conventional weapons and destroy your weapons on the ground. The UK has a very good intelligence network. If we thought a nuclear war was likely you would see preparations. Assets and resources would be spread across the country. Underground spaces would be kitted out. Key people would disappear from public view. Firefighting equipment would come out of storage. Prisons would be emptied. The public would be asked to limit travel. And much, much more. NOTHING I see happening today suggests we are in danger or that danger is on the horizon. Absolutely nothing.

Calm. Breathe. A missile accidentally falling on Poland isn't likely to cause intervention by NATO land forces, let alone WW3 or nuclear war. Let's assess the sides for this World War. Russia, Belarus and Iran v NATO isn't a world war. Its a walkover. China isn't stupid. Why would they ally with the remnants of Russia's Army? They would effectively be fighting NATO alone. China has been very clear that they will not tolerate the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Russia isn't going to destroy itself to keep hold of land they stole less than 10 year ago. Nuclear war does not just happen. They are prepared and those preparations are monitored. An all out first strike has huge disadvantages. This accident will lead to consequences for Russia. There are a few hundred more steps between here and WW3.