A British RC-135 ‘Rivet Joint’ intelligence gathering aircraft has been monitoring Russian forces around Crimea.

This is a regular occurrence, we believe it should be reported as and when it happens to ensure people don’t see this as anything unusual. It should also be noted that these flights are designed to be visible so that the public and Russia know they’re happening.

What does the RC-135W do?

According to the Royal Air Force website, the RC-135W Rivet Joint is a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed in all theatres on strategic and tactical missions. Its sensors ‘soak up’ electronic emissions from communications, radar and other systems.

“RC-135W Rivet Joint employs multidiscipline Weapons System Officer (WSO) and Weapons System Operator (WSOp) specialists whose mission is to survey elements of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to derive intelligence for commanders.”

The Royal Air Force say that Rivet Joint has been deployed extensively for Operation Shader and on other operational taskings. It had been formally named Airseeker, but is almost universally known in service as the RC-135W Rivet Joint.

The UK operates three of these aircraft.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago

Given it could all kick off in the Ukraine, were any other NATO fast air providing support?

The Russians have form for kicking off in our Christmas time.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago

I’m growing dismissive of the glibness with which we hear that on no account will the west aid Ukraine as it is not a member of NATO. As part of the agreement that Ukraine decommissioned it’s nuclear arsenal and joining the Non-Profiferation Treaty, she was given the assurance of the Budapest Memorandum endorsed by Russia, UK & US, which confirmed, among other statements over economic coercion and nuclear threat, to: respect for her sovereignty and existing borders and obligation not to use force against her other than in self defense. Putin’s Russia long since reneged on these two primary commitments… Read more »

Watcherzero
Watcherzero
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Indeed, like with the air policing and rotating Nato deployments in the Baltic we need something on the ground that would cause the Russians to pause and be wary of provoking a response. The west is rushing to rearm Ukraine supplying small arms, training and naval assets but it still risks the same result as Afghanistan if your relying the Ukrainians to solely defend themselves from a superiorly motivated foe.

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Watcherzero

Not sure I understand your comment ,I should think the Ukraine people are very motivated in defending there nation and so are its troops who have actually performed well if you look in detail, Russian troop moral fighting a needless war while taking casualties as they surly well , would be put into question and tested Afghanistan for Russia it could well be ,but not NATO.

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Agreed. The Ukrainians love their country and see the Russians as upstart peasants.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

SLAVS both Countries let the Eastern Ukrainian whose first
Language is Russian decide which way and by Whom they wish tòo be governed the Media and their factual accounting of this are the Kenwoods ie The Stirrers Scoop you heard this first so too speak

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

So, Daugavpils – majority Russian speakers should join Russia, ditto, Riga? Correct?

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

What I’m trying too put across is the media seems to be the antagonist in this let the SLAVS sort it out amongst themselves

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Which powers asked Ukraine to surrender her nuclear weapons in good faith for… security in return.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Security, economic, they started scrobbling among themselves after their so-called Yellow revolution and its been going on ever since the Ukraine was supposed to be a buffer zone No Nukes no Nato troops in country

Meirion x
Meirion x
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

“…they started scrobbling among themselves after their so-called Yellow revolution,,,”

Interference by Russia since the ‘Yellow Revolution’, even a President of Ukraine was prisoned by the GRU!

Last edited 2 years ago by Meirion x
Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Meirion x

And was anything done for Her by the West at the time ?

Meirion x
Meirion x
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Just promised membership of NATO and EU. Remember the Gas wars at the time, Russia turned off the gas taps a few times, that should of been a warning for us further West.
.

Frank62
Frank62
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Russia, USA, UK & probably Germany & France too. Putin claims the Euromaiden “coup” was illegal, so justifies the treaty away for domestic consumption. Though his recent comments seem to show he expects to be able to bring the Ukraine back into Russia rather than respecting it’s independence.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  Frank62

Yes, showed his mindset. Alleged Sovereignty is a new one. Seems to indicate a lack of respect for Budapest, no? Merely temporarily lapsed Russian territory.
Clearly thinks the same even over those EU states that are in NATO. Still, if anything is likely to coalesce anti Russian feeling to the point of UKRAINIANS’ absolute determination to defend themselves, it’s contempt like that.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Now let us see, the USA, Australia and numerous Commonwealth states have a first language that is English. Didn’t stop them demanding independence, violently if by no other method.
Rgs

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Blimey War of independence 1776 brits against brits who didn’t agree with the taxes imposed on them by a Britian that was Ruled by not a Tyrant but a GERMAN sorry too offend any EU watchers

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Notice how Putin is puffing himself up on the media outlets just now. Almost blowing a blood vessel. Strutting turkey time. Typical short arse.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Putins deepest regret was that he was stuck in Dresden, when the wall came down and could do nothing he’s had that Chip on his shoulder with the West every since

MikeB1947
MikeB1947
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

It seems as though a proportion of people residing in the Donbas region have Russian as their first language. If they consider themselves to be Russian and Ukrainians refer to them as “upstart peasants”, we can understand why some want the region to secede and become part of Russia.

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  MikeB1947

Upstart Russians refers to Putin’s forces not the local populace.

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  MikeB1947

There are many areas of the U.K., even whole areas within London, where English is not the first language. Do you think these should all be able to secede from the U.K. and become parts of various Eastern European and Asian nations?…

Douglas Newell
Douglas Newell
2 years ago
Reply to  Sean

why not, that was the justification we gave to support the Bosnians, the Crotatians, the Sloventians, the Kosovans, The Georgians, etc.

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

You’re ignorance of Balkan history is embarrassing. You’re referring here to previously independent peoples, with different languages, cultures, and religion, that we cobbled together into communist Yugoslavia. Once Tito’s iron-fisted rule ended its disintegration was inevitable.

Ukraine is a totally different situation both historically and ethnically.

Douglas Newell
Douglas Newell
2 years ago
Reply to  Sean

I’m not ignorant of Balkan History, Sean. And nothing I said was embarrassing. Look to yourself before having a go at people whose opinions you disagree with. The states that came out of Yugoslavia were decided upon by the western powers: Kosovo as integral part of Serbia, even so far as containing its totemic battleground of the Field of Blackbirds, and was allowed by the west to secede, and the Serb Kraijna and the Republika Srpska both of which were majority ethnically Serb were not allowed by the West to secede from Croatia and Bosnia. Why? Because it was the… Read more »

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

Certainly sounds like you’re ignorant as your diatribe focuses on the nations created by the breakup of Yugoslavia. Whereas if you really want to understand it, and why the current situation is unacceptable to many, you need to study the history of the Balkans and the independent states that existed before being press-ganged into Yugoslavia. Even in the furthest eastern part of Ukraine, the separatists have only managed to secure parts of Donetsk or Luhansk. Many Ukrainians spoke Russian simply due to being part of the Soviet Union, rather than being ethnically Russian. This is observable in the way the… Read more »

Dave12
Dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

You silly Ivan, you forget the ethnic cleansing the Serbs did to the kosovans which NATO stopped while Russia had it’s dick in its hand ,God some of you Russian trolls are bad at even recent history.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Sean

If they wish too remain in the UK by the next generation English will be their first Language

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

And not if they have taken and passed the British citizenship exam

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

A meaningless checklist that people have to go through to remain here. Doesn’t guarantee that they have adopted British values and culture or the English language in preference over their original heritage.

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Will it? Hasn’t been so far for some people whose ancestors arrived here several generations ago.
Which shows how ridiculous your arguments are.

Last edited 2 years ago by Sean
Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Sean

Explain ridiculous, I’ve yet too come across a 3rd generation person from the Sub Continant who doesn’t speak English and I’ve served with a few

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Where did the “Sub Continent” come from? Or perhaps it’s a subconscious prejudice slip-on your part…

Well I certainly have come across 2nd and 2rd generation descendants of immigrants who speak English but it’s not their first language. Maybe you just need to get out more.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Sean

Then the three nations of what was India 1 Pakistan 2 India 3 Bangladesh satisfied

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

You miss the point. We have have immigrants from many different nations, I’m not sure why you’re obsessing over the Indian Sub-Continent.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Sean

I might be a disabled Veteran , but I get out everyday,

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Thank you for your service.

But that’s a metaphorical phrase.

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Surly will*

Watcherzero
Watcherzero
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

When you are outnumbered at least 2-1 (probably 5-1 in local force concentration) and suffering a decisive disadvantage in air and artillery its hard for any army to remain motivated. They dont call it shell shock for nothing.

US forces representatives apparently been touring their air defences this week to see where they can be strengthened, but off the back of the same week several military contractor employees were charged with theft for selling components of air defence weapons that had been sent to the contractor for maintenance and repair on the black market.

Last edited 2 years ago by Watcherzero
Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

If Putin blitzkriegs solely Ukraine’s Azov and Black Sea access to military-commercial ports, viz Mariupol and Odesa, then the economic damage would be hugely significant to Ukraine, whilst reinforcing his control over Sevastopol / Crimea.
Easy to believe he’d have to be given a massive bloody nose, either overtly or covertly, or the ramifications will extend to direct NATO spheres of influence soon enough.

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Holding ground would be difficult mind.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Aye, but maybe not so much with massive Russian air superiority now consolidated on Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders.

Douglas Newell
Douglas Newell
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

I’d guess a blitzkrieg to the Dnieper with land taken on the western side that can be exchanged for peace. If he gets to the Dnieper, it’ll act as a fairly formidable barrier / frontier. The west would need to gird up for a major war to take it back – and that ain’t gonna happen, our economies have too much to the loose, our politicians are soft, and the youth of today don’t have the backbone to care – they are too busy crying over their erroneous sex organs.

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

Tend to agree over economy & too many of our politicians and their chancer mates, Douglas. Further agree that the young are a nightmare with simplistic, ‘alien’ minds, of course. But that was always the way (and us back in the day, often). However, like all the young, they are the ones who pay the price when politicians / countries face off, and will do again in due time, of course. We look at our grandchildren and see a bleak future for them at the moment. Whether they’re drafted or await incineration at home. So will cut them some slack… Read more »

Douglas Newell
Douglas Newell
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

“Motivated to defend their country”? Posssibly in the West of the country. I think its not as clear cut in the Eastern side – after all a sizable chunk of them did rebel and set up their own state (albeit with Russian help). This mess wouldn’t have started if the US and EU hadn’t started to meddle and overthrow a democratically elected government which happened to be pro-Russia and anti-EU. I think in that eastern half of the country there will be plenty who see themselves as different from those in the West. So its not as clear cut as… Read more »

Meirion x
Meirion x
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

A COMPLETE DISTORTION by Ivan!
“This mess wouldn’t have started if the US and EU hadn’t started to meddle and overthrow a democratically elected government which happened to be pro-Russia and anti-EU.”

There was a very strong motivation for the Ukrainian people to overthrow Yanukovych, the most corrupt of all Ukrainian leaders since independence. He planned to rig the upcoming 2015 elections to turn Ukraine into a autocracy like his master Putin’s country.
And where is master Putin’s cash slash away, Ivan?

Last edited 2 years ago by Meirion x
Dave12
Dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

Russians lack reality Ivan lol

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  Watcherzero

Always a good historic case that failure to accelerate defence spending in line with increasing state authoritarianism leaves you vunerable to such states’ aggression.
‘No votes in it’ – another predictably glib response. No votes in being on the receiving end of war, either; and the costs are inevitably a lot higher.

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

That didn’t help us in Iraq or Afghanistan during the occupation , and if Putin invades that’s what he’ll have to do .

Last edited 2 years ago by dave12
Douglas Newell
Douglas Newell
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

look at hand wringing over 500 deaths and a couple of thousand wounded over several years we had in Afghanistan – no way the electorate would allow us to stick the youth of today into the meat grinder with the Russkie.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Newell

I totally agree, with your assumption of the Meat grinder and the youth of today especially if Females come back in bodybags it might be the age of equality but not when it comes that Sorry but I’m an old git Douglas

Frank62
Frank62
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

I agree. If we let Russia get away with invading it will be curtains for any ex-Soviet state for starters & send a green light to China to try it on invading Taiwan. Do we want to live in a free world or a nightmare dystopia where people are trampled under foot by criminal tyrants? Seems Russia & China are well up for neo-colonial expansion, seeking global dominance. Any aggresive nation can take our failures to act as a green light to pursue similar ambitions. The west needs to wake up fast. All the web technologies & AI are excellent… Read more »

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
2 years ago
Reply to  Frank62

You’re last scenario certainly occurs regularly throughout history. But the first risk to eroding democracy is internal and comes from an assumed privilege by certain ‘elected representatives’ who think they’ve been given carte blanche to feather their nests.
Rgs

Frank62
Frank62
2 years ago
Reply to  Gavin Gordon

Absolutely agree Gavin. “Wolves in sheeps clothing”, our main failure is not having leaders of wisdom & integrety, not even being offered any at the polls. Along with our slavish disarmament we’ve left the door open for evil to flourish.

Andrew D
Andrew D
2 years ago

IF the Russians make a move how long before Ukraine would be over run ?

Paul T
Paul T
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew D

That’s not an easy question to answer, if Russia Invades it would depend on what it’s objectives are. Back in 2014 Putin boasted that they could be in Kiev in two weeks. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are in a much better condition now but realistically they won’t hold off the Russians indefinitely. There are Tactical advantages to launching operations during the winter months, by the end of January the situation will be much clearer.

Mr Mark Franks
Mr Mark Franks
2 years ago

So the Russians have parked thier MBTs nose to tale as reported on BBC news, so they haven’t deployed yet and make one big juicy target. Putin went public today and the rhetoric and that all it is at the moment is NATO have broken every promise they made to the Russian federation.
I think he is showing we can and will do it if we have to, back off NATO.
Could be wrong I’ll get my coat on the way out if I am.

Rob
Rob
2 years ago
Reply to  Mr Mark Franks

If Mr Putin wants to invade it will either be now, when the ground is frozen or high summer when the ground is dry. Spring and autumn in Russia and the Ukraine is a see of mud making military operations highly unlikely. Overall though I doubt he will do it for the simple fact that what would Russia do with an occupied Ukraine and a likely on going western backed and supplied insurgency? Surely he isn’t that stupid.

Mark franks
Mark franks
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

No he isn’t stupid. You can’t though build up troop numbers and sustain them for that amount of time.

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Spot on that’s what I’ve been trying to say.

Last edited 2 years ago by dave12
Rob
Rob
2 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Agreed Dave. The initial invasion would cost 10,000+ casualties alone and then years and years of counter insurgency operations with no way out. Would the Russian people put up with that? I doubt it. Even a limited invasion would still mean a hostile and increasingly well armed neighbour. Oh and I bet the Ukrainians have already stock pilled and hidden supplies for a long war all over the country.

dave12
dave12
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Yep Rob exactly.

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Latvian “Forest Brothers” fought on to the mid-60s before the Sovs managed to bring it to an end – pretty sure the Ukrainians are as hard as nails as well and will have prepared small stay behind groups of partisans and Russian public opinion is freer now then under the Sovs.

Difficult one for Putin with their Christmas being on 16 Jan – nobody would welcome body bags – so is it bluff?

Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Their Christmas is 7th Jan, but NY is the big celebration and acts as the defacto Christmas.

Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago

One thing that I don’t think has been mentioned is that all of this is happening just at the time when Putin has his annual tv conference when he takes questions from journalists and talks for 3-4 hours. It was today I think. It’s a ratings booster for him. Coincidence?

Here is one take on this year’s conference: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/12/23/putins-end-of-year-press-conference-what-he-discussed-a75907

I may take a listen to the conference later.

John Clark
John Clark
2 years ago

I would say that Ukraine has substantially rearmed over the last 5 years, if the Russians invaded, the Ukrainians will revert to defence in depth and insurgency.

The Russians will take substantial casualties, both in the invasion and the occupation…

NATO caving in to Russian aggression is a huge mistake, appeasement doesn’t work with Russia, it’s weakness pure and simple and they will fully exploit it…..

Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago
Reply to  John Clark

“NATO caving in to Russian aggression is a huge mistake, appeasement doesn’t work with Russia, it’s weakness pure and simple and they will fully exploit it…..” You have this spot on! I lived in Russia for many years…! The West needs to decide where it stands on Ukraine and not where Russia stands on it. Will NATO or individual western countries defend it or not. Personally, i’m not sure where I stand on Ukraine, although I definitely want the people to decide for themselves, and maybe that is the problem the West also has. It knows Russia and Ukraine are… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Stand Off Rocket Man
Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago

The Bottom line in the Nato camp is if one Nato Country is Attacked then it is seen as as an Attack on all Nato Countries and will respond against the perpetrators the Ukraine is not Nato it is a buffer she relinquished her Nukes in return for economic security West and East Ukraine are two different Kettle of Fish West wants to be EU East wants the embrace of Mother Russia What no one seems too be looking at apart from maybe Langley is how Russia has been conducting a lot of exercises with the waking Dragon We were… Read more »

Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Nah, I say poke the so-called bear all day long.

Ukraine not been part of NATO is what complicates things, but NATO or individual nations within NATO have never had qualms about getting involved in other conflicts that have nothing to do with them, so the seeming fact that they don’t want to get involved in this conflict directly shows a lack of leadership, will and so on.

Meirion x
Meirion x
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

A rather simplistic view of Ukraine!
The citizens of Eastern Ukraine are still Ukrainians, some may speak Russian as first language, but they embrace western democratic values with free elections. Not embrace dictators like Putin!

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Meirion x

At least we know his a dictator his manoeuvred himself into a position where he shows his strength too his citizens but its economic restraints would hurt them more One Card he does hold especially in winter is Gas rather than invading the Ukraine and although he’s stated he wouldn’t use the supply of Gas to Europe as a weapon of Blackmail it would cause a greater disruption too us than to him in the short term and I for one have had my share of Conflicts even those that had little too do with us I don’t think the… Read more »

MikeB1947
MikeB1947
2 years ago
Reply to  Meirion x

If all the citizens of East Ukraine (some speaking Russian as first language) wish to remain part of greater Ukraine, then they will have to impress upon both the armed separatists and Mr Putin that they will not become part of Russia.

MikeB1947
MikeB1947
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

The situation in East Ukraine is the main reason for Russian troops massing just across the border and therefore, the government in Kyiv has two main options: (a) If the majority of people in the area say they are definitely Ukrainian and wish to remain united with West Ukraine, then a large force should go in and deal with the separatists once and for all. The danger being that the Russians just might invade and annex East Ukraine under the pretext that they were coming to the aid of fellow Russian speaking people. (b) On the other hand, they could… Read more »

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  MikeB1947

Just had the Red Button for the BBC but apparently it would seem that the Russian forces near the Border have begun too stand down whether this is true or not we’re just have too wait and see hopefully this is a start

MikeB1947
MikeB1947
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

If that is the case, it is certainly good news but nevertheless, the situation in East Ukraine will have to be resolved by Kyiv as soon as possible.

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

The easiest middle ground is the west reequipping Ukraine to be an extremely tough nut to crack. Russia has a massive air superiority advantage over Ukraine, not just in number but also technology, ISR, EW. The west should have equipped Ukraine with an integrated air defense system and reasonable anti armor capability.

UK donating decommissioned Rapier systems would help. The Russian’s know the limitations of SA-2/SA3 too well (obviously) as they made them.

Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Maybe you are right. But this reequipping needs to be in place now and not tomorrow.

Plus, we don’t really know how many pro Russian people are living in Eastern Ukraine and whether they would happily help the Russian forces.Whatever, Kiev will be teeming with Russian military already, ie intelligence services and so on.

All this talk of Russia leaves me in a strange position as I have nothing against Russia and have many links to the country myself.

Last edited 2 years ago by Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago

“Plus, we don’t really know how many pro Russian people are living in Eastern Ukraine

I meant how many pro Russian people living in Western Ukraine…

Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago

I’m watching it. First thing i’ve noticed is how much plastic surgery Putin’s had done lol Face looks stretched and has done for years. either that or lots of make up.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago

Look what they did with Lenin same make up me thinks LOL

David Steeper
David Steeper
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Yeah but at least they waited till lenin was dead !

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  David Steeper

Maybe, just Maybe frying pan bending Putin is an Avitor

geoff
geoff
2 years ago

Good Morning George! At this time of the year it should surely being monitoring activities over the North Pole?😉 All the best to you for Christmas and the New Year and to all my friends on this wonderful site.

Cripes
Cripes
2 years ago

Both nations may be Slavs Tommo, but the Ukrainians have always resisted and resented being forced under Russia’s yoke. Stalin killed or deported tens of thousands of Ukrainian political opponents, intellectuals, trade union leaders etc and also settled a large Russian immigrant community in the Donbas river basin in Eastern Ukraine as part of a process of Russification, just as he did in Estonua and Latvia. What Putin is demanding is that the separatist part of Eastern Ukraine is given autonomous status. That means in effect its own government, administration, police etc. That of course would be a first step… Read more »

Frank62
Frank62
2 years ago
Reply to  Cripes

“I fear he is more Stanley Baldwin than Winston Churchill.” More like a cross between Neville Chaimberlin, Mr Blobby & the Honey monster. The only talent our leaders have is cocking it up.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Cripes

Don’t want too be a White Feather done my time in the forces , But this thread has become rather Hawkish in its tones .Great if your behind a keyboard . Not that exciting if your Leave gets cancelled

Stand Off Rocket Man
Stand Off Rocket Man
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

.

Last edited 2 years ago by Stand Off Rocket Man
David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

We signed up to serve. Today, youngsters have signed up to serve. My war zone was the Rat Pit… and other haunts around Aldershot… but I put my name forward for Gulf1, and would gladly have done Yugoslavia et al.

So no white feather for you but, signing means delivering; has always been.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Did Corporate ,a worthwhile cause Did Iran/Iraq Oil Did Granby another Oil war Did the Fmr Yugoslavia under the EU aright clusterfxxk I’m now a retired Counsellor who’s dealt with Lads who signed the dotted line , and then got dropped like a hot potato when the Disorder word was placed on their Docs Dave

David Barry
David Barry
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Well, like I said, no white feather for you – thank you for everything you’ve done in the Service and for the Services.

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  David Barry

Cheers David and a peaceful New year too one and all on UKDj been a eventful year

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 years ago

Merry Christmas to George and the UKDJ team. Thank you with providing this forum for us.

A Merry Christmas to all posters on the site, with especial mentions for my friends Airborne, Lusty, geoff, Robert B, John C, Klonkie, and others.

NB Peterson
NB Peterson
2 years ago

Crimea was never Ukraines to lose…

Farouk
Farouk
2 years ago

Just a little something I remembered reading a bit ago:
https://i.postimg.cc/jSpN9by9/1123.jpg

Last edited 2 years ago by Farouk
Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Farouk

Wot no reindeers Happy Christmas too one and all

Farouk
Farouk
2 years ago
Reply to  Tommo

Your wish is my command:
https://www.noradsanta.org/en/map

Tommo
Tommo
2 years ago
Reply to  Farouk

Cheers Farouk have a peaceful day

Johan
Johan
2 years ago

Was Reading a huge report on the R1 sentinel and what its actual purpose was, as generally it was classified but the report was on the R1 development aircraft which was at the recent Dubai Airshow, R1 Main role was to provide Communications links, with ground forces in the mountain regions where their communication signals would get disrupted by the mountains. And other sneaky systems, UK and the withdrawal from the Stanies no longer needed this service. BUT US still did and why the R1 soldiered on. and why the R1 fleet has been sold back to Raytheon to form… Read more »