Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the Ukrainian Parliament that the “so-called irresistible force of Putin’s war machine has broken on the immoveable object of Ukrainian patriotism”.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS | Britain to send £300m extra in military aid to Ukraine.
This will include…
• Electronic warfare equipment
• A counter battery radar system
• GPS jamming equipment
• Thousands of night vision devices pic.twitter.com/DHnKtv39xi— George Allison (@geoallison) May 3, 2022
Johnson also said “Ukraine will win. Ukraine will be free.”
The full speech is here:
“President Zelenskyy, Mr Chairman, members of the Verkhovna Rada
It is a big honour for me to address you at this crucial moment in history
and I salute the courage with which you are meeting, the way you have continued to meet, in spite of a barbaric onslaught on your freedoms
Day after day missiles and bombs continue to rain on the innocent people of Ukraine
In the south and the east of your wonderful country, Putin continues with his grotesque and illegal campaign to take and hold Ukrainian soil
And his soldiers no longer have the excuse of not knowing what they are doing
They are committing war crimes, and their atrocities emerge wherever they are forced to retreat – as we’ve seen at Bucha, at Irpin at Hostomel and many other places
We in the UK will do whatever we can to hold them to account for these war crimes
and in this moment of uncertainty, of continuing fear and doubt
I have one message for you today:
Ukraine will win
Ukraine will be free
And I tell you why I believe you will succeed, members of the Rada
When they came to me last year, and they said that the evidence was now overwhelming that Putin was planning an invasion
and we could see his Battalion Tactical Groups – well over 100 of them – gathering on the border
I also, I remember a sense of horror but also of puzzlement.
Because I had been to Kyiv on previous visits – and I actually met some of you and I had stood in the Maidan and seen the tributes to those who had given their lives to protect Ukraine against Russian aggression
and I’ve wandered the lovely streets of your capital
and I’ve seen enough about Ukrainian freedom to know that the Kremlin was making a fundamental miscalculation, a terrible mistake
and I told anyone I knew, anyone who would listen that Ukraine would fight and Ukraine would be right
and yet there were some who believed the Kremlin propaganda that Russian armour would be like an irresistible force going like a knife through butter,
and that Kyiv would fall within days
Do you remember they said that? And people rang Volodymyr and offered him safe passage out of the country, and he said – no thanks
and that this Rada of yours would have to be reformed outside Ukraine maybe in Poland or even in London perhaps
and I refused to believe it.
And today you have proved them completely wrong, every one of those military experts who said Ukraine would fall
Your farmers kidnapped Russian tanks with their tractors
Your pensioners told Russian soldiers to hop as we say, although they may have used more colourful language
Even in the parts of Ukraine that were temporarily captured, your populations, your indomitable populations turned out to protest, day after day
And though your soldiers were always outnumbered – three to one it is now – they fought with the energy and courage of lions
You have beaten them back from Kyiv
You have exploded the myth of Putin’s invincibility and you have written one of the most glorious chapters in military history and in the life of your country
The so-called irresistible force of Putin’s war machine has broken on the immoveable object of Ukrainian patriotism and love of country
This is Ukraine’s finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.
Your children and grandchildren will say that Ukrainians taught the world that the brute force of an aggressor counts for nothing against the moral force of a people determined to be free.
They will say that Ukrainians proved by their tenacity and sacrifice that tanks and guns cannot suppress a nation fighting for its independence,
and that is why I believe that Ukraine will win
You have proved the old saying – it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog – which is an old English saying, I’m not sure how well that translates in Ukrainian but you get what I’m trying to say.
And as you turned the Russian army back from the gates of Kyiv, you not only accomplished the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century,
you achieved something deeper and perhaps equally significant.
You exposed Putin’s historic folly, the gigantic error that only an autocrat can make.
Because when a leader rules by fear, rigs elections, jails critics, gags the media, and listens just to sycophants,
when there is no limit on his power = that is when he makes catastrophic mistakes.
And it is precisely because we understand this danger in Britain and in Ukraine – precisely because we are democracies, and because we have a free media, the rule of law, free elections and robust parliaments, such as your own,
we know that these are the best protections against the perils of arbitrary power.
When an autocrat deliberately destroys these institutions,he might look as though he is strong and some people might even believe it,
but he is sowing the seeds of catastrophe, for himself and for his country,
because there will be nothing to prevent him committing another terrible mistake Putin’s mistake was to invade Ukraine, and the carcasses of Russian armour littering your fields and streets are monuments not only to his folly, but to the dangers of autocracy itself.
What he has done is an advertisement for democracy.
On a day when Putin thought he would be in charge of Kyiv, I had the honour of being able to visit your wonderful city,
and I saw the defiance of the people of Ukraine,
I know so much about the terrible price that Ukrainians have paid and are paying for your heroism.
Today, at least one Ukrainian in every four has been driven from their homes, and it is a horrifying fact that two thirds of all Ukrainian children are now refugees, whether inside the country or elsewhere.
So no outsider like me can speak lightly about how the conflict could be settled, if only Ukraine would relinquish this or that piece or territory or we find some compromise for Vladimir Putin.
We know what happens to the people left in the in clutches of this invader.
And we who are your friends must be humble about what happened in in 2014,
because Ukraine was invaded before for the first time, when Crimea was taken from Ukraine and the war in the Donbas began
The truth is that we were too slow to grasp what was really happening
and we collectively failed to impose the sanctions then that we should have put on Vladimir Putin.
We cannot make the same mistake again.
And it is precisely because of your valour your courage your sacrifice that Ukrainians now control your own destiny:
you are the masters of your fate, and no-one can or should impose anything on Ukrainians.
We in the UK will be guided by you and we are proud to be your friends,
I am proud to say our Ambassador, Melinda Simmons, is back in Kyiv to reopen our embassy.
In January of course– just before Putin launched his onslaught – we sent you planeloads of anti-tank missiles, the NLAWS which I think have become popular in Kyiv,
and we have intensified that vital effort, working with dozens of countries, helping to coordinate this ever- bigger supply line,
dispatching thousands of weapons of many kinds, including tanks now and armoured vehicles.
In the coming weeks, we in the UK will send you Brimstone anti-ship missiles and Stormer anti-aircraft systems.
We are providing armoured vehicles to evacuate civilians from areas under attack and protect officials – what Volodymyr mentioned to me in our most recent call – while they maintain critical infrastructure.
And I can announce today from the UK government a new package of support totalling £300 million, including radars to pinpoint the artillery bombarding your cities, heavy lift drones to supply your forces, and thousands of night vision devices.
We will carry on supplying Ukraine, alongside your other friends, with weapons, funding and humanitarian aid,
until we have achieved our long-term goal, which must be so to fortify Ukraine that no-one will ever dare to attack you again.
Here in the UK, in my country, you will see Ukrainian flags flying from church spires and in shop windows
You see Ukrainian ribbons on the lapels of people up and down the country
There are many reasons your country has evoked such astonishing sympathy in the British people
It is a conflict that has no moral ambiguities or no grey areas
This is about the right of Ukrainians to protect themselves against Putin’s violent and murderous aggression
It is about Ukraine’s right to independence and national self-determination, against Putin’s deranged imperialist revanchism
It is about Ukrainian democracy against Putin’s tyranny
It is about freedom versus oppression
It is about right versus wrong
It is about good versus evil
And that is why Ukraine must win
And when we look at the heroism of the Ukrainian people and the bravery of your leader Volodomyr Zelenskyy – we know that Ukraine will win
And we in the UK will do everything we can to restore a free sovereign and independent Ukraine
Thank you all very much for listening to me today, and slava Ukraini!”
Johnsonski is milking the terrible war in Ukraine for all it’s worth before the local elections on Thursday. The man responsible for the most savage cuts to the British military since Cameron’s malign 2010 SDSR is now pretending to be Churchill
Rumours persist that Sunak has told Wallace that the Treasury willl not provide any additional funding for the costs of supporting Ukraine – it’s all got to be paid for out of the current MoD budget. Maybe a few of Johnsons Russian friends should chip in
First Lord of The Treasury actually is the PM’s title.
The kit gifted to Ukraine will be UOR so it is directly paid for by Treasury.
The would be a massive political storm from all sides of the house if the aid to Ukraine was taken out of MOD running budgets.
It would not suprise me if the aid was coming directly out of the defense budget.
Look at the state of this.
https://www.ukpublicspending.co.uk/year_spending_2022UKbn_17bc1n_30#ukgs302#
All Governments have contingencies which you cannot and would not budget for. That said where we are sending kit from stock we will have to re-stock and that might come from the budget. However it is likely that we would get upgraded kit for ourselves so that might be a benefit.
Part 2 This is the projected budget for 2023.
We haven’t heard announcements of cuts to programmes or head counts. If it was coming out of MoD budget we would have. If there are no cuts announced in the next few weeks we’ll know for sure.
What we have heard is commitments to more F35s. A war focuses minds on the military.
Agreed on both counts.
Who knows who is paying for it, but I’m pretty sure if there would need to be cuts, that will be kept quiet until the war stops being front page news. No goverment would want to talk about defence cuts at this time.
You’re forgetting about the £16 bill uplift money.
I think it was £16bn, rather than £16, which wouldn’t go very far. This money was not acquired for Defence to aid Ukraine as it was reported in Nov 2020 and pre-dates the conflict. I can’t recall what it was for specifically – I guess mostly to close the black hole in the Equipment Programme, somewhat.
———————————–
That was my guess to and if that money gets spent by Borris by being given away to the Ukraine….
You get my point now ?
I find percentages and pie charts help also. 5% of spending currently goes on defence. Gdp quotes are useful but are misleading aswell.
https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=p3&chs=700×300&chco=cc0000,4040ff,00cc00,cc8800,66cc00,0088ff,00ff70,ffcc88,808080&chf=bg,s,e8e8e8&chd=t:16,20,9,5,13,4,4,2,19,4&chl=Pensions%2016%25%7CHealth%20Care%2020%25%7CEducation%209%25%7CDefence%205%25%7CWelfare%2013%25%7CProtection%204%25%7CTransport%204%25%7CGeneral%20Government%202%25%7COther%20Spending%2019%25%7CInterest%204%25&chtt=Spending:%20Total%20Pie%20Chart%20for%20%20-%20FY%202023
Mate going of the government’s own figures and the figures of that website where you got the graph from. This is what I work out. 2.3% of GDP £54.5 bill is the claimed spend on defense. £5.9 bill is spent on foreign aid. £5 bill a year is spent roughly on Trident and funding its replacement. 2.3/54.5*(54.5-(5.9+5)) = 1.84% of GDP spent on defenes. That’s nowhere near enough, I just don’t trust most of the countries in NATO. Germany France and Spain would throw us under a bus the first chance they get if they could profit from it. Even… Read more »
Defend ourselves from what? That realistic threat is there that we could counter even with 10%. Russia isn’t a realsitic threat, as they would have to go through the whole of Europe to reach us and yet can’t manage one country in Ukraine. China is way too big to counter and realsticslly isn’t a miltiary threat to the UK, we would be helping an ally rather than taking the lead, in any way involving them. It comes back to realsitic usage of our armed forces are counter insurgency warfare and/or piracy prevention. If we were to accept that and redirect… Read more »
To remain civil we will just have to agree to disagree mate.
Have a nice day anyway 😀.
You sure about that, I think its likely we’ll see a Chinese military base in Argentina in the next 2 decades. It conceivable China could fund Argentine projects including rebuilding its armed forces in exchange for things like fishing rights and natural resources. And if those rights extend into what is currently UK territory and rich fishing grounds that’s better for China. Other motivation would be a distraction in the South Atlantic the same time as a play for Taiwan. Sure, we wouldn’t be facing off directly with China but a China backed proxy with access to Chinese assets. OK… Read more »
Chinese ownership of major ports from the Indian Ocean to Greece should ringing alarm bells.
Truly threatening to our interests.
They have taken a leaf out the British empire. Control ports. Control international trade and choke points. Build a navy to defend those maritime trade links. The only problem facing China is that there Navy whilst developing rapidly and adding huge numbers of warships and subs and support ships isnt well trained and likely that lack of expertise will tell against them. Plus unlike the RN in 18th, 19th centuries the Chinese navy is facing a unified alliance of nations in NATO, 5 Eyes and AUKUS. So has to factor in building and supporting in deployment a truelly vast navy.… Read more »
Then again I wonder what effect all the LEO satellites will have on their data collection and intelligence, added to which, how do we vet any stewards(?) On our ships, if we still have them?
With Chinese in every port and a huge intelligence operation, we should wonder how far ahead we really are.
Experience, well they sailed to the Baltic with no tugs.
Agreeyou do have to watch China and a smokes and mirrors campaign of disinformation and stirring up trouble in multiple locations to distract whilst a takeover of Taiwan is attempted. Likely ooints of distraction. Okinawa precinct. Vladivostok. Solomon islands. I dont think Chinese military would attempt the Falklands as too far away. Although you might get a deliberate provocation from a fleet of illegal fishing trawlers that just happened to be Chinese paramilitary coast guard manned. Our response should be swift and clear. Leave uk territorial waters or we will sink you. Eurofighter typhoon with Brimstone flying from Mnt Pleasant… Read more »
I completely agree Steve. We have a geographical advantage even compared to Continental sized powers and should exploit that. Our cultural capital – we are still widely respected if not always well understood – means we can make alliances that do not involve any potential ally having to accept our norms; the case in China, Russia’s and even the U.S. becoming your ‘best friend’ is having to give something up. Hence our relationships with a very diverse set of countries worldwide that outrages liberals. Our defence posture should factor in more than technology (but always innovating) and scale. Being on… Read more »
Only when the economy recovers can real military independence be achieved.
For military independence, all unnecessary expenditures for future wars must be cut
All but having essential military skills should be excluded from the 1% budget of GDP over the next decade.
Will sacrifice the future and gain the present?
Or will sacrifice the present and gain the future?
can’t have both economy and military power.
The UK is not the United States.
The minimum to maintain essential skills was 3% of GDP. We’re well below that, and you want to slash the budget down to 1%.
wow
—[–] R&D Defence1.20.00.01.2
1.2 B pound
its not 3%.
I’d have assumed if it was coming from any ministry other than the treasury it would be foreign aid.
Not a great fan of Boris eh? I think you could argue that Boris is doing his job as he sees it and if at the end of the day the people agree with what he is doing then they will indicate that. Just because it is a terrible war does not invalidate Boris’s strategy of supporting a population who would rather die than live under the tyrenny of Putin. It is also in the interests of the UK as a disastrous campaign in the Ukraine for Putin might just put him off attacking a NATO country will all that… Read more »
Also, much to do with the tripartite UK / Poland / Ukraine strategic agreement signed last year.
If the leaders of America and Britain had done there jobs in 2014 during the previous Russian invasion we wouldn’t be dealing with this now. But the Western leaders back then were weak and scared of Putin and choose to appease him. Now the poor people of Ukraine are paying the price for that.
There is much in what you say. It is also true that Ukraine now has a serious leader and a population who are passionate about freedom & willing to die for it. The British can relate to that.
At that time Cameron had us obsessing over referendums & the Americans were focused elsewhere.
There is a little more to it than that. Full support and aid only really started once it was clear Russia wasn’t as big a threat as expected. Not knocking what we or the US did back in 2014, but can’t blame leaders for being worried about starting ww3. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Thats true. Our military aid began. Russia invaded and rapidly we realised Russia’s military was essentially crap and couldnt defeat even ATGW deployed by infantry. Then we began adding to our military aide. Ably and vociferously supported by requests from a very impressive Ukranian president. Now NATO (and Russia knows this) has little to no fear of Russia’s conventional military forces. That is why they threaten WMD. Those are the only weapons Russia has that makes NATO pause. As long as the war in Ukraine is not expanded and Russia doesnt use WMD then the proxy war in Ukraine will… Read more »
Boris has a strategy of supporting himself. Fortunately for ukraine the war happened at the same time as so many scandels and his used it as a way to redirect focus. Which has been great for Ukraine.
Many people have such a negative view of politicans. Politicians reflect society as a whole and we are all less than perfect. Boris is simply emulating Churchill (who was the least perfect of us all) and to be honest I have little to complain about in his support of Ukraine. Politicians are a necessary evil but I for one will support the ones who get the big decisions right.
Big decisions are covid and the economy, both of which Boris and his front benchers got badly wrong, so by that logic I can’t vote for him or the conservatives. Also they got afgan badly wrong, and so many other foreign policy decisions. Getting one thing right after seriously messing up our country is doesn’t balance it out
I gave Boris 7/10 for Covid and the economy seems sound. Cost of living is the problem. Short of doing a deal with the devil to lower the cost of gas & oil and ending up sanctioned ourselves I’m not sure how we improve that in the short term. Nuclear power is the solution in the long term but being tough with Putin has it’s price – one Boris should pay on our behalf if you ask me.
Sunaks an arse anyway – shot his bolt where any higher position is concerned now
We all know who is waiting in the wings…….the second Iron Lady!
There’s not a lot of iron about Liz, ironic perhaps. If you mean Patel, she’s too right wing and has shown a consistent lack of judgement on immigration. She’d lose the Tories far too many votes.
There are also serious doubts as to Patel’s competence, not to mention that little affair with the Israelis. ….
Na she is stuffed also, Boris has put her in charge of brexit, which is a posion chalice, as it’s impossible to deliver on what the ERG etc want. Boris is very cleaver about putting his competitors into positions that will destroy their polictical hopes. If he put as much focus into the economy we wouldnt be in as bad a position as we are Vs the other g7 countries.
Did you hear that he is having heating put in to his outdoor pool – it will cost £13k pa to heat. Many people cannot afford to heat their homes properly.
How can someone like that who has always lived like that possibly know how to help people who struggle for money or be dependant on benefit due to illness etc. average energy prices are higher than a total universal credit amount. Keep warm, just don’t eat, have internet, phone, tv licence, clothes oh and don’t bother washing or wiping ur bum as u can’t afford toilet paper. I hope someone takes a dump in his heated pool After the Ukraine crisis instead of U.K. families taking in a Ukrainian family it’s going to have to change to adopt a poor… Read more »
I had to laugh at your comment about how we all might use his heated pool! I have lost my admiration for the man due to all the recent stories about him and his wife.
Boris pushed him under the bus you mean. Boris position was unsafe and Sunak was looking like the person the party supported and so he leaked all the tax stuff and so destroying his career. Admittedly his wifes tax status is shocking and should not be legal, but realistically it appears to be.
He was the same twat beforeas was his wife – some just didnt know.
Same as Liz (got to ukraine) Truss, Priti (useless) Patel, Savid (savage)Javid . Gavin (go away Putin) Williamson – and their head honcho Johnson …leads by example.
A veritable shower of shit – all of them …and I’m not even a Labour voter.
Spot on 👍
😆😄
Brilliant
Thanks for making me laugh.
Cheers CR
Its shame Labour can’t get their act together. My assumption is we’ll end up with another useless parliament where no one has outright majority at the next election, with the Lib Dems doing better. Everyone will be just a p1ssed with politicians just blocking each other for the sake of. Sad times. Either way defence will get nothing as usual.
I hear that a lot about labour not getting their act together, but don’t really see any basis for it, as their policies for dealing with most of the issues like cost of living etc seem sensible. It just feels that Starmer lacks a larger than life personality of Johnson and the media seem to blindly back the conservatives, plus labour are scared of the B word and don’t want to attack that mess. I don’t trust either party, but right now would vote labour if it meant getting this government out.
Cost of living will always go up. But a generation has lived where things have generally got cheaper thanks to mass production and globalisation meaning averagecost of living has risen quite slowly. This is the first time I recall that government is being asked to step. As for policies like windfall tax on Oil companies they make most of there money outside the UK. The headline global profits look great but the UK north Sea is much smaller portion it will do little to impactcost of living, as with all politicians they hope people read the headline and don’t bother… Read more »
Would you mind if I don’t disagree.
Sunak must know that the decision to supply weaponry to Ukraine is not the MoDs – they just do what they have been told by the PM – he should direct that the FO or the Treasury pay.
“Johnsonski”?? I thought he had Turkish heritage not Polish. Can’t see how that is relevant anyway 🤷🏻♂️
BTW just because you want a rumour to be true doesn’t make it so… especially when said rumour is made up of people with the same political axe to grind as yourself.
Well after his performance yesterday… Bus pass to stay warm anyone?
Well thats about as factually correct as something Diane Abbott comes out with.
Considering the defence budget was increased in 2021 during a pandemic and one of the most expensive years for the government in history I think you should re-look at the numbers before posting.
We certainly spend a massive amount on Defence and that £16bn announced in Nov 2020 was unexpected. But our forces are still smaller than they should be to meet Global Britain roles and responsibilities, there are still many capability gaps and the army is not ready for armoured warfare.
👍
Johnson needs to get rid of Sunak fast.
1) he’s a popular choice for Johnson’s successor
2) he doesn’t understand that his role as number 2 is to find the money, not to decide what to spend it on. It’s like he thinks he’s already PM.
Gordon Brown syndrome?
Sinak wasa popular choice but he has ‘cooked his goose’ now. It is only Liz Truss who has a chance of being PM in future.
Brexit has ended old party loyalties. The Tories can only form a majority government if they keep the red wall seats. They need a beauty contest of their red wall MPs, to find at least one that chimes with the public. Then promote that MP or MPs.
And yet they had a reputation as being members of the Bluffer fan club.
Certainly, several of them have been disabused of their enthusiasm for the clown but, who can lead the Cons?
Whether in power or opposition, we need strength in both; that leadership needs personal integrity, accountability, truthfulness and moral high standing.
All major parties need this in their Cabinets and I just can’t see it.
Then the UK goes bankrupt? (if liz truss going to PM…) Remember, even after Chamberlain had managed to patch up the aftermath of the Great Depression and miraculously created a warable financial position, Churchill had 200% of the debt to the British Empire after World War II (and WW2 debt caused tear apart Great British empire) The pride of great military power necessarily requires a huge amount of money and it can only be filled with the blood and sweat of the future British people. Sunak, who works for Britain, is better than Liz Truss, even if hated by the… Read more »
She’s an empty chalice. Nothing up top except ambition.
No one in the current Cabinet stands out as the Leadership this country deserves imho.
Ben Wallace?
He is perhaps not so well known to the general public, and some might think he does not have much charisma or a photogenic nature, not that that bothers me. Have any SoS for Defence ever made it to PM?
And your suggesting what, that a vote for Corbyn at the last election would have seen a historic rise in defence spending. Its all very well having a pop at BoJo but he’s in power because Labour stood behind a man who hated the UK and organisations like NATO. I reviewed Labours presentation at RUSI on defence, it wasn’t a positive direction. I didn’t vote for Boris but I sure wasn’t going to vote for Corbyn on defence grounds.
Talking of Corbyn, some learn their wisdom early:
Yes, thank you so much for adding a valuable contribution with regard to someone who was not voted for and someone several of us would have put a 9mm into his cranium.
Your views count.
For the record I did vote. Just not Red or Blue.
Vote orange. Sensible middle ground politics.
https://twitter.com/TrentTelenko/status/1521275304593002497 Trent Telenko is good one to follow hes a former DoD in logistics and he highlights all the logistic faults of the Russian armed forces comparing its logistics of 1930’s capability , and from I get from his tweets is for all of the Russian trolls barking about pre 2022 sanctions not having a effect it seems they really did have a effect on Russian’s logistic capability and corruption of course.
Yes, I follow him. Russian logistics are the absolute pits.
Yes too right using tyers from USSR days lol.
is that why their special operation has become a little deflated…
Russian ATV tyres were purchased from China. Seems they didnt select run flats with XXL load ratings so when put onto armoured vehicles which were then fully loaded and driven on/ limited off road, they got bogged down, run flat or punctured and had glass jaws going completely flacid and useless the minute tyre integrity was compromised.
Tyres are the one item, alongside brakes and reliable drivetrains that you cant skimp on. Just another example of Russia’s armed forces being large but only superficially capable.
And long may this continue… 😂
Of course, if the Russian’s have any sense they’ll already have taken Mr Telenko’s points on board and if he is as good as you say he is then I hope they’re too pre-occupied or too scared to own up to Putin about their shortfalls and just carry on as they are.
I do wonder whether some of these pundits forget that they may actually be saying something of use to the Russian’s… Lets hope that there is too much noise for the useful stuff to stand out, eh!
Cheers CR
I see your point but this is regime in so much denial from top to bottom and with so much propaganda it actually believes , as one ex general said this is not a force for learning.
Agreed, and that is my hope, but when the dust settles Russia isn’t just going to walk away from its delussions of grandeur and super power status. So perhaps we should be a little bit more reserved in what we put out there…
I have found myself backing off making some specific observations just in case… and I’m in no a renouned expert but ideas matter.
Just saying.
Cheers CR
Agree. what we dont want is a competent general to appear who has an ounce of strategy and can deliver combined arms tactics on the battlefield. Fortunately never going to happen as Putin is alleged to have taken full military control on the battlefield. So expect more of the same from the frankly rubbish Russian military.
The parallels between Putin and Hilter get ever more stark… Soon Putin will be issuing orders to units that no longer exist…
What a waste.
CR
I’d add a bit to that statement. ‘Ukraine will win ish.’ There is no way Ukraine is getting Crimea back but I think Zelensky already knows that. The thing is Putin will declare victory and want to hold on to the Donbass, Kherson and Mariupol. Does Zelensky go along with that ceasefire line or does he attack??
He will attack.
Not sure the Russians have thought too deeply about how they might defend & utilise what they have stolen.
I’m with you on that and David’s post above. The trouble is that Putin, once he has declared victory and a ceasefire, if then attacked will then probably use a tactical nuke. Hope that isn’t the case but Putin will not risk his army being completely routed.
What will happen if he orders his underlings to use a nuke ? The same underlings who have photos of their children and grandchildren on their desk. Does he want to find out ?
Sadly I think the underlings will do as they are told:
1) Ukraine doesn’t have nukes to fire back
2) They know Putin will have put those photos of their children and grandchildren on the desks of a few of his KGB buddies too.
The FSB are literally in a tense situation with Putin due to their failures in predicting the resistance at the start of the war, no doubt any special agents will be having second thoughts of following his instructions if he is likely to be removed form power anyways, so a bit of fence sitting. Let’s not forget even if Ukraine doesn’t have nukes to fight back it would give NATO a good enough reason to bum rush Russia into not Russia with their forces.
Hi underlings have already committed the most appaling war crimes – and have embarked on genocide.
They’re vile disgusting people who back Putin to line their own pockets but never underestimate an old mans love of his grandkids.
I expect the plan is to evict Putin not pursue him. If he is removed it must be by his own people. The west will carefully control the weapons given to Ukraine in order to retain some control. A tactical nuke is a serious possibility but will not alter the determination for Ukraine to remain free and risks an escalation. Putin still controls Russia – he just needs to withdraw.
It’s generally said that an army is about 2-3 times as effective defending as attacking. Ukraine has been defending; if it opts to go on the offensive, will it be able to succeed without this advantage?
Thats not quite true. In falklands war the British army had a 3:1 advantage in attack vs Argentina. In both gulf wars (Iraq) the allies delivered 5-6:1 advantage in attack.
Modern weapons actually favour attack. The only viable defensive strategy is a mobile continuously moving continuously patrolling and counter attacking strategy. Static defence is easy fodder for modern weapons like Javelin, Milan, Panzerfaust 3 etc.
Lets hope Russia does switch to a static defence. They will lose.
Yes . There’s a worry that if Putin decides to annex the Southern and Eastern parts of Ukraine that has been occupied and consider them as part of a ‘Greater ‘ Russia then, should Ukraine start to take its territory back, he might use a tactical nuclear weapon against Ukraine or the west on the false narrative that Russian territory was being invaded/attacked.
They think they can win. The longer they think that the better.
Hope 🇺🇦 can make some significant take backs by 8-9 May!
Oh that would be very very nice. 😎
With what? his 200 ancient polish tanks, the ghost of Kiev, and the much vaunted Bayraktars whose “happy time” ended about 2 weeks after the war started.
Ukraine started the war with more APCs and Tanks than the Uk, France and Germany could field together. Where are these?
Ukraine won’t win, and the yanks can sit back and sell Europe oil, while Ukrainians die to keep Bidens and the democrats hopes alive that they’ll continue to get the Gas transit dollars they’ve been scoofing for the past 8 years.
With surplus NATO kit & new self built modern tech they will fund with loaned cash from the west. Loads of companies with the order books open already.
Aren’t you getting ready for your big victory parade comrade?
Victory parade scaled to glory of times.
With one single T90 tank Russian people rule world.
No need for more.
Simples?
Ho Ho, the usual reply to this subject when you have no answer, name calling.
I don’t come in and call all the pro Ukrainian commenters here Nazis for supporting a clearly Nazi regime. A Nazi regime that was being called out for it by every western media organisation until about 3 months ago when they suddenly; became angels.
Disgraceful and pathetic comment. The only Nazi regime here is Putins Russia, murdering and raping their way through Ukraine. You haven’t a clue.
Agreed, another mouthpiece of the real Nazis!
A clearly Nazi regime yaaawn Putins excuse being used by yourself, wow? I suppose Russia has no Nazis or fascist at all then?
you said…”the much vaunted Bayraktars whose “happy time” ended about 2 weeks after the war started.” = didn’t they just sink a couple of patrol boats?
😂😂😂 that’s a yes mate!
And were all destroyed by Kalibers in their hangars in Odessa a few hours later (three I believe).
3 precious Bayraktars for 2 crappy patrol boats, that’s a poor exchange. How many “Bayraktar wins” have you seen lately? Not many. Russians now have the measure of them are able knock them down once they break cover.
It doesn’t make me pro-russian to say that – its a fact.
The UAV’s are $2M each and the cost of the patrol boats is $2M each based on CB90 price. Seems a good trade-off for Ukraine as it is receiving an infinite number of free weapons.
They hit a Russian command centre two days ago killing many top Russian commanders also a Russian air defence unit on the same day. Maybe internet is blocked? try a VPN.
Agreed mate!
So they’ve decided to stick with the smaller DIY UAVs and drones and they are doing a good job killing injuring (and scaring) the ground rapists, and disrupting their freedom of movement! Never have I seen so much footage of Russians running away from all their kit and fixed defences when engaged by Ukrainian arty or lightly armed drones! It’s actually like a benny hill show, the Ukrainians are even adding silly music 😂! The Russians have shown themselves to be amateurs, incompetent at every level and operate kit which even if modern (but with old electronic systems) cannot be… Read more »
The best bayraktar win was spoiling RFS Moskvas radar suite so they didnt see and didnt react to the sea skimming missiles. UAVs like the Bayraktar seem to be the future and havent seen the end of their happy times. Its telling after Russia’s foreign minister called Ukraine a jewish nazi controlled state that Israel sided with Ukraine. Israel are ever on guard and wouldnt even have discussions with Zelensky if he was a nazi. Instead they invited him to speak to their parliament. Says a lot dont you think? Reality is Russia is now the fascist right wing dictator… Read more »
Here he is, coming out from under his stone as the other sad trolls are keeping a much more low profile since it’s hard to justify rape, murder, torture and looting. Regardless of what agenda you are trying to push, the Russkies are getting shown there arses and the Ukrainians will continue to get NATO support both morally and militarily. The Ukrainians will win even if Putin declared some sort of victory after he has taken 5 square meters of Ukrainian land with 30k plus dead! Pathetic, both Putin and any clown who supports him.
Spot on.
Why is it you all resort to name calling, and accusations of trolling when someone has another opinion. I don’t support Putin, and i’m not pushing any agenda. I just don’t agree with the western media’s biased output which is skewing perceptions of what is happening. The Ukranians are not a reliable source of information. And neither are the Americans who admitted they were making stuff up to get at the Russians when they were called out on the chemical weapon issue. There’s a lot of news sources out there, look at them look at what All sides are saying… Read more »
I always find it amusing that eventually the Russians get a little bit of their act together and are able to hammer fixed defences with their OS (which is their doctrine) suddenly the Russians are winning! No, it’s expected by anyone with even a slight bit of military knowledge expected this in regard to the Russians. Everyone, including the Ukrainians, know the Russians will take ground when going back to their doctrine of smashing anything with overwhelming OS them getting their half trained rapists to move forward taking the ground! I’m regard to coming back and saying I told you… Read more »
Er, the JP has just reported what they were told by Russia! Russia, that bastion of honesty and free speech, FFS really?
Ok Dougie, bun fight over! Keep posting, keep an opinion but be aware that I for one do not support people who make excuses or justification for this illegal invasion! War is shit, war is dirty, nasty and most don’t realise very smelly, smells which you never ever forget, and anyone supporting or justifying an illegal invasion of Ukraine is not on my side! Anyone making excuses for any war is not on my side! The Ukrainians, regardless of outside opinions, are fighting for their county and their people, and seeing what Ukraine could be like under the control of… Read more »
Well that’s the biggest load of S**t I’ve heard in this forum so far.
Maybe familiarise yourself with the inner workings of the RusAF. “One soldiers war in Chechnya” by Arkady Babchenko might raise your awareness as a starting point. Nothing has changed in the decades since.
You are entitled to you opinion. Tell me what bit is shit and why it is shit in your esteemed opinion.
And I thought we were talking about Ukraine, not Chechnya.
Thought the Chechens have been doing a lot of the legwork for Putin in Mariupol i see.
I respect that. However, I don’t believe the location of the battle is pertinent. My point was what the book illustrates , admitedly from one soldiers point of view, about the inner dysfunction of the SAF. I think it reflects a lot of the reporting we are getting from Ukraine.
You say the russians are destroying the Donbass defences of the Ukrainians? Isn’t that a reflection of your own biases? How do you know this?
You said “With what? his 200 ancient polish tanks”… They are T72M1’s mostly and there are 240 of them. So they are same standard as Russian tanks and there are more than two brigades worth or 20 BTG’s worth. Some of these were just upgraded and overhauled so they are probably in better condition than many Russian tanks. You said “Ukraine started the war with more APCs and Tanks than the Uk, France and Germany could field together. Where are these?” … There are some rumours that they are amassing around the Kherson area for a big push – lets… Read more »
I think thats wrong in that Germany alone has reserves of 5000 leopard 2/1 series tanks. Not many in frontline service but tons and tons held in reserve after the end of the cold war.
The Polish tanks would obviously be of graet use in Ukraine, if they can be transported to their point of use and there are trained crews for them, both of which must be in some doubt now. If Ukrain’s armour were located with their BTGs then at the sart abour 25% were Odessa region, 25% Kiev and 50% east of the Dneiper. How many are still operational and where they are now is unknown. I can’t see how the odds are stacked against Russia, please explain. As to gas/oil, the choice seems to be either give the money to Russia… Read more »
Any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
At some point we have to take in to account the wishes of people in Donbass and Crimea who probably do not want to be in Russia although god knows how we do that without rewarding Putin for mass murder. Ukraine was politically paralysed with a 50.50 split in population wanting closer ties with Russia and Europe before. I’m sure ultimately zelensky does not want them back in. Getting rid of Putin seems to be the only way it could be done. Like getting rid of hitler then settling the Sudetenland issue.
did you meam do NOT want to be or DO want to be .
I assume with your following statement you meant DO want to be …I;m not sure they do – and where did you get that 50/50 split , I bet its not 50-50 across the country …not now anyway…
Sure there will be some that do , and Putin has milked and supported that for all its worth, I’m sure hes bused loads of his supporters in – exactly like hes done in Moldovo-he doesn’t fool anyone -surely?
The only free referendum ever held voted for independence for Ukraine *everywhere*, in all regions.
And the result was 90% in favour of independence.
Admittedly that was pre-Putin, and now that Donbas / Luhansk have been significantly ethnically cleansed since Russia stared its war in 2014, the results may be different.
The impact of the current extension of Russia’s war is that opinion has swing in favour of Ukraine as an independent country in both Ukrainian and Russian speaking parts of the population.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Ukrainian_independence_referendum
If and it’s a big if ukraine push Russia back to Donbas and Crimea I
Don’t see what stops them from carrying on up to the border with Russia and retaking Crimea and Donbas. They are parts of Ukraine and if they are winning they may not want to stop at the bits russia took a few years ago.
Good luck to Ukraine they are fighting very hard against the invaders.
Classically any army needs a 3:1 numerical advantage to succeed in Offensive operations. Ukraine has some qualitative advantage by dint of superior morale, training and some better equipment so may not need quite so much as that ratio – but still need a numerical advantage, say well over 2:1 – have they got it?
“well over 2:1 – have they got it?” I don’t think so and from what I have seen on the news they still have some very useful formations digging in around Kyiv as they have to guard against further incursions from Belarus. They may be able to generate local favourable ratios, but I suspect only on small fronts. My reading of Ukrainian ‘offensive’ ops so far is that they have refused large scale engagements where possible and used hit and run tactics with ATGW / MANPADS very effectively. Advances appear to be contact pursuits rather than large scale offensives to… Read more »
That’s probably correct in old money. With today’s technology I’m not so sure. The Ukrainian war has mostly been fought during daylight hours, with sporadic groups fighting at night. Only elite Russian units had access to personal night fighting gear. For example, If Ukraine can equip a sizeable force with wearable night version devices, they will have a succinct advantage over the Russians.
Davey, those ratios are classic military thinking and 3:1 is for armies of rough qualitative equivalence. I rowed back to 2:1 to allow for Ukraine’s qualtative advantage. You perhaps place too much stock in the advantage of night vision devices – the Argentinians had better night vision kit and more of it but we Brits still defeated them in 1982.
Ukraine has lost 15% of their country and will have a huge task to eject the invader from all seized territory.
I agree that the 3:1 ratio probably still stands. But if we based the findings on what is happening in Ukraine, then is this ratio still valid? Initially Russia had the advantage, even though the World was watching the build up. No one really believed that they would go across the border, it was all “Sabre rattling”. At this stage Ukraine hadn’t fully mobilized. So Russia definitely had the 3:1 advantage. But as the days progressed it was seem that the initial surprise was squandered due to Russia’s poor leadership, tactics, training and supply. But I would also add technology.… Read more »
The 3:1 ratio assumes opposing forces are of roughly equal quality and meeting in a classic way. Ukraine clearly has higher quality troops so they would not need as much as 3:1. It is a yardstick. Ukrainian ambush tactics are clearly advantageous and you don’t need 3:1 to succeed at conducting ambushes.
I am not underestimating the Ukrainian forces but the task of winning back huge tracts of land is a tough one when you are outnumbered.
Graham. thats simply not true. Falklands war British army outnumber 2.7 to 1 by Argies. Superior training. Superior modern weapons. Superior training delivered victory.
When I was in the army that 3:1 ratio was an established classic mantra for forces of rough qualitative equivalence. As the Ukrainian army has superior quality I rowed back to 2:1, but you are right to point to an exceptional but very different operation where those ratios did not hold true. I hope that the Ukrainians can ‘do a Falklands’ and eject the invader fully in a matter of weeks, with light casualties and with minimal loss of military materiel and civilian infrastructure. Are we expecting too much? The Ukrainians still seem to be short of huge quantities of… Read more »
You can be pretty sure a large portion of those that wanted closer ties with Russia have now changed their minds since Russia has bombed and shelled them.
If they get supplied with enough AD to protect their Arty and enough shells to fire, he’ll bomb Russia back into another century.
The victim may well turn into the abuser.
When that moment begins to happen, I’ll turn off the news and wish Ukraine well.
Russia needs kicking very hard until they wake up to their rightful place in the democracies of the world, but, it will be a fearsome kicking.
Agree DB, it looks like 🇷🇺 only understands “hard” so let’s hope this is “bloody hard”! They’re behaving like bastards and should be dealt with accordingly. Hope the new gear coming in from the West can make a significant difference to 🇺🇦 on the battlefield as soon as possible. Hope something can be done in and around Mariupol to rescue those poor buggers holed up there and even just their population.
Miracle if that happens. Wish them well.
The only part of Mariupol not under Russian control seems to be the Azovstal plant. The Russians control sufficient territory around it for any rescue attempt to be a pipe dream. The estimated 2000, military and civilians, in the plant are, having been instructed by Kiev not to surrender, there until the bitter end when they run out of food, water and/or ammo. Why they are being told to sacrifice themselves is not known. The Russians have said that if they surrender they will live, might go to jail, but they will live and over 1300 have surrendered in Mariupol… Read more »
I think its based on evidence of Bucha, but also of people from the safe corridors disappearing.
I have seen no reports of civilians escaping the Azovstal plant disappearing. Do you have a link please?
Not all that clear why Russian conscripts are being told to sacrifice themselves either.
The Ukrainian artillery’s big problem seems to be Russian artillery especially tubed not aircraft so any AD they might get is unlikely to help. The Russians are now just grinding their way forward through the Ukrainian defences by shear weight of munitions. Whilst in many areas the defence lines are holding out, the defenders must be in a terrible state having been under continuous shelling for weeks.
When you look at the maps the Russians have taken a lot of territory and it will be interesting to see if the Ukrainians have any capability to mount a proper counter attack.
In Siberia what have you learnt about the effects of M777 and 140,000 rounds?
Outranged, Russian arty formations should malleted and I doubt the f.ometre will even quiver from zero.
Every dead Russian soldier is a good Russian soldier and I doubt the UAF will be as restrained or as… thoughtful… as a Sgt from Royal was in Afghanistan… just saying like.
The M777 is a powerful gun but not only do the guns have to get 800 miles to a firing position but so do thousands of tons of special ammo. In today’s Ukraine this is a double challenge.
I mentioned Russian tube artillery for a reason. Apart from the short range Grad, the Uragan, Smerch,Tornado are all lethal to gun batteries from long range. Unless Ukraine’s now scarce Buk AD are moved to defend them and expose themselves as targets.
Would you please not say I’m in Siberia etc? I’m in Milton Keynes.
Actually, 775 mikes from the SVK border. Taken with our Alvis platforms mounted with HVM, they’ll create quite a problem for friends of your good self and myself aka the Russians; add stormer into the mix with former SVK Mig 29s (diki moc Petr) and our good friends are going to have a bad hair day – somewhere between RCZ Russian airforce generals on the wrong end of a telcon with poo tin @airborne frazzled and fried Russian pilots. And not a solitary foxtrot will be given from almost anyone on this website. Your LocStat? No idea, but, as Airborne… Read more »
Pleased to see that my back of an envelope guess based on my 2013 AA road atlas of Europe was that close. Fortunately I’m not playing for anyone. I try to give a view of what is happening that reflects what I read much of which is beyond the reach of western propaganda. Whether anyone here uses it to temper their view is up to them but the view looking west from the Russian border is very different from the view looking east from the Polish border. The actual reality is somewhere in the middle, which is where I try… Read more »
Really? I thought it stood for Moscow Kremlin.
I also think it will also be a challenge for Ukraine to win the Donbass, Mariupol and the land bridge to Odesa back. Do they have the numbers? You don’t just need good training, morale, and some superior kit.
Hopefully Ukraine will absorb Russia’s Donbass offensive, cause high attritional loses on Russia’s armed forces then counter attack with aim of returning all of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
As time goes on the chances of that happening are steadily reducing as Ukraine’s supplies of fuel/ammo are destroyed or used up and its road and rail networks are brought to a halt. Neither of which can be sorted by outside intervention.
I wonder why we do not export gas and oil to Europe.
The UK currently imports approximately 10% of it’s oil and 40% of it’s gas.
Fortunately very little of that from Russia.
John,
amin is Iranian
Doh! Thanks Farouk. He got me there. Yes, very droll amin.
Oil and gas are traded on the international markets and so we do export oil and gas. It goes to the highest bidder on that day.
We import and export both, but not in huge quantities.
Oil we import about 20megatonnes/year and export similarly, because we need different types of oil and do not get all of them here.
Gas we import from Norway and export a little (eg Ireland).
In the future, once we increase capacity more, we will be exporting electricity. There is currently an incredible network of interconnectors being built – many opening between 3-4 years ago and 2025. We have 6-7 already, with 2 new ones per year coming on stream in 2023, 2024, 2025 each,
Links
https://www.statista.com/statistics/382233/crude-oil-export-desination-countries-of-united-kingdom-uk/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/381963/crude-oil-and-natural-gas-import-origin-countries-to-united-kingdom-uk/
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-policy-and-regulation/policy-and-regulatory-programmes/interconnectors
As John and Jonathan have said, we do but it can depend on the grade of crude and byproducts, so we can be exporting and importing at the same time. We also export electricity, especially to France as they have big problems with half their nuclear power stations shut or at reduced capacity.
Basically the U.K. doesn’t pump enough oil and gas to meet its own needs so is a net importer. Then it’s also traded on world markets so…. It’s late, hopefully someone else explains
TL;DR
BoJo milking war in Ukraine with pseudo-Churchillian speech to try and pick up votes in upcoming local elections.
I think he’s done a good job and as most of the country are for helping Ukraine the obvious person to give a speech is the current prime minister.
I’ve never heard the well known quote about dogs in a fight before but Boris was brought up in different circumstances to most of the population. Maybe posh boys fight dogs or something
I would rather he showed the support he is regardless of the timing of elections. You say this on the assumption Starmer would not attempt to use the situation to an advantage?
If Boris had a long established record of integrity and trust with the public then I would be more impressed. What he has done with Ukraine I support but, for me at least, that alone does not undo everything else he’s done/not done. Pity we can’t elect Zelensky instead, but he’s understandably a bit busy right now.
Starmer has not received the first conviction in office of a Prime Minister.
Nice one Bozza lad 👍🇬🇧
Agreed. The negativity is ridiculous. Well said BJ.
Abso bloody lutely!!! Carry on Mr BoJo! 🇬🇧 🇦🇺
To me, Boris is a mixed bag. Some things he does right, some spectacularly wrong. I think he is doing reasonably good on the Ukraine crisis so far. I liked the speech.
And Bobs your uncle.
(Troll farms in St Petersburg may be struggling with that one ) 😆
Isn’t the dog thing in Boris’s speech, one of Churchills? Or am I dreaming it?
😂👍!
It’s hard to see where the political opportunism of Johnston and Truss end and genuine government geopolitical strategy and psyops begin. That’s the trouble with Tory governments, it’s just so hard to trust people who lie constantly and are so corrupt.
Cough, cough Tony Blair cough….. Boris might be a bit of a plonker, but let’s not forget Labour under Tony Blair and Brown, who lied, got us involved in never ending unwinnable wars, built a wonderful ‘new country’ on quicksand, entirely with borrowed money and PPI’s and handed back the keys to 10 with a trashed economy.. Yep wonderful job, they make Boris look like a genius! In fact they did such a fantastic job, they almost (came very close to splitting the party in two in fact) destroyed Labour because of the lurch it took to the left as… Read more »
John, you know I’m Labour, but, the Cons need to change Bluffer – as said before, I’d vote for Tobias Ellwood without question.
No argument here David, Boris has to go …..
We’re in a shitstorm of maladministration and it is hard to identify anyone with the gumption to run the country apart from…
Tobias Ellwood!
Michael Gove?
Ben Wallace?
@airborne can answer.
For me, he did a complete hatchet job on the armed forces last November – a short term tiktok who keeps bigging up his service without any scruples. Let Airborne answer.
Hi, appreciate your feedback, David. Problem is, with all the suggestions, it’s just Boris we’re comparing them to. A low fence, I believe. Tobias is indeed a good nominee, but has not been forged against any significant international issue. We’re all, ehhm, ‘experts’ on what should be done, but are not called upon to do them, thank C. As stated before, our man at No 11 championed defence – before having to find the sponz. TBH, I think Gove amongst the most honest and effective Cabinet ministers, with a genuine concern for all stratas of society; so respect to him.… Read more »
One of the things I like the most about this website is that when we engage in a positive way, it brings opposing views to the fore in a way that can be appreciated. Airborne, Daniele have some strongly held views very different to mine, but, on some things we agree on. Others we agree to disagree on; this site works best when that happens. To your post. Gove? My heartfelt view is Brexit is a disaster, it can not be reversed, it can be ameoriolated and the party that supply that bandage will reap the benefits. It is not… Read more »
Well, stabbing Bo = being honest, I my op! Haven’t heard of the £5 report.
By the way, I will ask, but this deal about B announcing early on to all a sundry that Ukraine would win. Any corroboration outside of himself? If so, prepared to give the credit due, natch.
Rgs
I’d have thought Farouk might find a linky.
I.m not sure that credence can be given to his claims; krok ste krokem – step by step, the Russians are now winning.
Add those 155mm pieces and things might change the outcome. In God we pray that this is so.
One of my biggest bug bares with Blair, is he came close to destroying the proud Labour party, the massive swing to the right under Blair and the silencing of the left, was responsible for Corybins swing to the left.
Blair was a snake, no more socialist than Trump, he just hijacked Labour to use it as a route to personal power…
KS needs a checkup from the neck up bringing Blair back as an advisor in my opinion….
If I was advising Labour on how to get into power, I would tell it to do three things. First make a promise to reshore industry to the red wall seats using a sovereign wealth fund & tax breaks. Put tariffs on Chinese imports to pay for it. Second, appeal to Scottish working class voters that Labour will approve all North Sea oil & gas projects that SNP/Greens oppose. Thirdly tell home counties voters that the green belt will not be built on. Southern tory voters do not trust Boris to sell them out to developers for a quick buck.
John, good thought process but my first bit of advice would be get rid of all the third rate hangers on sat on the shadow cabinet! Never in the history of politics has such a load of no hoping wastrels sat in opposition!
I still want the Upper House to dematerialise. Perhaps that Poo Tin chappy yoy’ve mentioned could oblige? Oh, hold on, the place is already rife with his buddies. Doh.
The Mayor of Manchester talks a good fight.
The Shadow Def Sec is a waste of space. I’d have spit roasted Ben Wallis last year at that Review.
Jo Cockburns programme on BBC2 this saffer said exactly the same; can’t disagree with your thoughts.
I agree. Any replacement for Boris will be equally pro-Ukrainian.
Bit like Blair you mean …oh hang on …sorry wrong party
Nowadays, and probably for quite a while, there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the political opportunism of either party. Its not just the Tories, Labour and the rest are as bad. There just seems to be a naked greed for power where the parties just bicker and shout at a personality level rather than discuss the very serious issues we face, inflation, debt, energy and food, picked at random.
Very much so. Being in Parliament is Like an exclusive club with strange entry requirements. No normal man on the street will get in. You have to know the secret handshake with the correct people to even get a chance to stand to get a chance of getting in now.
New political parties may help but that is also a rich man’s game to start. The only party I’ve seen Come from small beginnings in last 40 years is SNP and that maybe because of the Scottish Parliament opening. I’m not a political analyst so not actually sure.
Ahem, UKIP.
Yes democracy is a messy, flawed, and fragile system. But it beats the hell out of the murderous, kleptocratic authoritarianism practiced by Putin.
“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…”
Winston S Churchill, 11 November 1947
Kinda puts Boris’ attempt at Churchillian speaking into perspective, although by today’s standards it wasn’t a bad attempt and I’m no fan of Boris…
Cheers CR
Yes Boris isn’t an eloquent in his speeches as Churchill was. He should perhaps drop the act of pretending to ad-lib his public speaking to give an informal air, has he actually prepares them in advance.
But it wasn’t bad compared to his contemporaries, though maybe that says more about today’s standard of politicians.
You really are in Siberia! Labour expose issues everyday but the Cons need to wake up and elect a decent person – which rules out anyone in the Cabinet and Hunt.
I think Hunt would be a decent option.
There are various others’ around.
The issue is getting shot of BJ in favour someone who can run a Government; Boris is best as a mascot, and this time (he did better as Mayor of London) has not appointed the right people to the right positions to cover his incompetence, and allow him to be Tigger in the Toybox.
It’s not perfect is it, but as an English patriot as you have claimed, do you think Putin and his Nazi methods would be an improvement? Speaking of Putin, any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine yet?
Of the alternaives ours seems to be least bad so I’ll be using my X this Thursday.
At least Boris doesn’t need to ‘sex up dodgy dossiers’ to take the U.K. into illegal wars, unlike the last Labour government…
Gordon Brown – the last Labour Govt – never took us into illegal new wars.
No just sold off the ability to fund them though!
But, you have to love those shiny carriers though… their fully protected, 24/7/365 day, fully manned, equipped, strike capability, is awe inspiring.
To understand that we have a carrier ready to go leaves me breathless; heavens, money well spent!
He was too occupied trying to work out how to destroy the countries economy and sign over as much control to the EU as humanely possible after Blair needed to leave and spend his ill gotten gains before people started asking how he acquired so much wealth.
Brown certainly attended the same maths school as Abbott, borrow high and sell low clearly being the only classes he attended, or maybes hes just dyslexic and got it the wrong way round, who knows. Definitely got an A* for not having a clue how to balance the books.
You know, you’re right, I’d forgotten about the global banking crises as well based on the back of corporate greed and fraud. Time does trick the memory, don’t you think? The OP had stated that… illegal wars started by the last Labour Govt… my point was Brown had not started any. And you play balancing the books, neatly forgetting Bluffer talking about financial responsibility with Susana Reid yesterday vis a woman riding a bus day to keep warm with a bus pass (my idea chirps Bluffer) forgetting the write off of £Bns to covid fraud and the shoite state UK… Read more »
Brown vetoed joining the Euro, which Blair wanted to join
But as Chancellor he went along with Blair starting the previous one… 🤦🏻♂️
Sean, that’s a fair point. Thxs.
Going into bat for the ‘two New Labour stooges’ David, I admire your give it a go efforts!
Cons put Tobias in charge, I’ll vote for him.
He’s as big a populist as Boris and not a patch on his predecessor, Lewis, who had far better grasp of facts.
He wasn’t in power for long enough (less than 3 years to Tony’s 10 years) – and was too busy ‘managing’ the wars in Iraq and Afghan.
Pedantically, it ought be impossible to ‘trust people who lie constantly and are so corrupt’, surely?
Curious to know what politicians you do trust, if any.
Rgs
On another point, there seems to be lots and lots of night vision equipment, not only from the UK, going in. If the Ukrainians go over to the strategic offensive when is the best time to attack poorly trained troops? That’s right at night. If the Uks can infiltrate these ‘blobs’ of Russian armour and shoot them up at night that would really be a morale collapse point for the Ruskis.
Taking control of the night is a great tactic
… But don’t tell the Russian’s… 🤫
What exactly does he mean by “winning?” If he means that Russia will still control the land they took from Ukraine in 2014 then that is definitely not a win in my book.
He was right when he said the West, and by that he means Obama and the rest of the Western Powers stood by and did nothing when Russia attacked and confiscated land from Ukraine. Ukraine trusted the West when they gave up their nukes with the promise that they would be protected. I bet they wish they never gave them up now.
They weren’t promised protection. They were promised ‘respect for their borders’ by all the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council by the Budapest Memorandum for UK/ US / Ru, and unilaterally by Fr / Cn. Which promises Russia laid aside and p*ssed on. Agree though that NATO / EU both cocked up badly in not getting Ukr into NATO / EU quickly. On this it is fair to point a finger at France / Germany, but also to acknowledge that on the pandering-to-Putin issue some necessary lessons seem to have been learned. On the narrower issue we have also… Read more »
Winning as in defeated Putin’s war aims of seizing Kyiv, toppling the democratic government, and installing a puppet regime to administer Ukraine until a rigged referendum to rejoin Russia could be arranged.
Winning as in humiliating Russia’s armed forces, forcing them to retreat from the north of the country.
Winning as in sinking the pride of the Black Sea fleet.
Winning as in holding the line against the Russians attempt to break through the east.
Winning as in killing and wounding an increasing number of Russian generals.
The Ukrainians can retake all that was lost, including the Crimea.
From BBC news.
“ Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the West could help end the war in Ukraine by putting more pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky and halting arms deliveries to his forces.”
Surely Russia could end the war by stopping the invasion of Ukraine territory.
He is saying “If Ukraine give in and the West stop supplying weapons this invasion could be over quicker ! – please put pressure on them to give in”
“If you just let me win this will all be over.”
If plonkety-Putin stopped uninvaded his invasion it would be over even quicker. 😎
A counter battery radar system. I wonder how many equipments that will be? Long overdue.
We only have 1 x Bty with Counter Bty radar, unless there are a few older set’s knocking about! I’m interested in the “heavy lift drones”?
I get the feeling that, starting a few years back, more MOD projects were kept off grid.
We all got very used to real time announcements of armaments and projects being spun and trailed to a pretty crazy extent.
Things tightened up a bit after 2014 and a lot more once China started to throw her weight around and at the time of the Huawei trunk fibre ban.
Whilst it is lovely for us to know most of what is going in and chat about it on here that doesn’t really keep the enemy guessing?
In an open democracy our great strengths are our greatest weaknesses. There is no argument. The US example teaches us that only obvious strength works as a deterrent. Having the biggest stick in no ways brings the necessity to use it. Nonetheless peace is maintained by superior firepower.
Flying into Mariupol?
Yep, another area the RA is painfully inadequate.
Thanks AB. Doesn’t sound like we have enough CB radar to give away.
I think I recall the US have sent 10 sets in their last but one aid package.
The US sent the first ones back in 2015 and more since. Those that they have the Ukrainians are using very well. Think there are now two different types in use.
I’m amazed nobody has picked up on the new announcement of the U.K. supplying “heavy lift drones to supply your forces”. Presumably these are the ones the RN and Army have been evaluating in recent trials. It would be one way to resupply the holdouts at Azovstal that are proving to be such as headache for the Russian military in the south. While Russian has failed to take control of the sky, it does have numerical advantage over Ukraine. Which means moving supplies by helicopters, especially near the front is going to be risky. While the West can round up… Read more »
These drones maybe armed too.
Any further news on Mariupol? Hope 🇺🇦 can hang on hanging on. Not sure if there’s room or time for a huge counter-attack down there?
Not good. After the 100-200 civilians got out the defenders attacked the Russians so the Russians have started attacking again and the perimeter is gradually being reduced. There is zero chance of any relief forces being able to get through, as the Russians now control too much territory around it and also have complete air supremacy over the site. All 8 helicopter relief attempts (trying to extract the leadership) were shot down and no attempts made in the last week. Kiev has instructed that they fight to the bitter end, it is now just a matter of time until supplies… Read more »
The Times reported that it’s the Malloy T150 quadcopters rather than the T600s which were part of the recent trial. The T150s were used in Future Commando trials and this might mean the Marines will get an upgrade to the T400s or T600s.
Quadcopters would defo make more sense in this situation. 👍🏻
If they were commercial ones they won’t have cost a huge amount, compared to a tank or fast jet, so may have been slipped into an existing budget line?
BAES were working with Malloy on the T650, to add military know-how. I imagine that’s where there’ll be a price jump too.
Hardening comms and sensors – once you have the onboard cards sorted producing more of them won’t be that expensive?
One interesting titbit I saw the other day was that shortly before RU attacked Mariupol the defenders were supplied with 40k meals’ worth of rations.
Given the numbers involved that’s probably long gone. Even if it was just to feed the 2,000 or so believed to be holed up in Azovstal now its only 20 days and up till last week there was another 10,000+ military in Mariupol. Food and water, plus ammo, are now serious problems.
And yet the Russians are still incapable of defeating them 😆
They are in bunkers designed to protect against a nuclear attack so it isn’t really a surprise.
Plus your ground force rapists, looters and murderers are militarily inept, amateurs and dumb, so fuck all to do with bunkers, more to do with Russian incompetence pal. Any condemnation of Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine?
Interesting the 40k figure. Apparently the tunnels and bunkers under the Azovstal works were built in soviet times for the workers in the event of war. The workforce at the time numbered 40k.
Interesting point Sean. Rhe bunkers might contain a huge ammount of supplies including ammunition and food. I think likely some supplies were stored there but these are probably getting low now.
No doubt after 2014, the Ukrainian army surveyed such soviet era shelters and identified those that could be transformed into bastions in the event of further Russian incursions. No doubt they would have stocked it with food and ammunition for a siege situation, though no doubt it’s running low. A tremendous defence has been fought there, on par with Rouke’s Drift it would seem.
I suggest that that comment is an insult to the memory of the heroes of Roukes Drift, who were in an open site with simple buildings not a mega concrete bunker complex and didn’t have the benefit of a large number of civilians as human shields.
That you think those poor civilians sheltering there are “human shields” just shows how fucking warped your mind is! Perhaps you would suggest they shelter from Russia’s indiscriminate bombing somewhere, perhaps the local theatre?
You’re a fucking insult to the human race.
He is a Russkie nonce!
Well I’m going to say it as an Aussie – Brit 🇦🇺 🇬🇧. Mr Morris, I’m not sure if you wrote all that yourself but that’s one hell of a bloody good speech!!! Well said! Well read too!! Hope all keeps going well for the 🇺🇦 peoples, their forces and their President!
Whoops, I meant Mr Boris!!
I know I’m diametrically opposed to some fantastic posters on here but whose views I hold dear, so my apologies in advance.
This speech is just deflection from a charlatan that hangs onto any straw.
MoD will have been working behind the scenes to identify equipment that can be sent; that is not the work of Bluffer.
Bluffer needs to go and a new Con PM selected, their current leader is out of touch with reality.
Sadly most of our elected MPs, to include the Islington set of shadow cabinet members, are out of touch of reality!
We’re in a sad state, that’s true.
MPs accessing porn in the chamber and initially trying to… wait for the outcome of the report…
…Raynor at the business meeting… well was she or not?
You’re not wrong Airborne.
We need a change of the top sheds.
The business meeting that involved beer, food and a quiz… but was not a party…
No idea on a quiz. Linky?
https://order-order.com/2022/04/29/full-timeline-of-starmer-angies-big-day-out-in-durham/
Thanks Seam, just seen. Will view.
Were they also serving cheese and wine or just beer?
Not classy enough for cheese and wine, just beer and pizza 😏
👍👍👍
This speech is simply the logical progression of the U.K. arming the Ukraine with NLAW etc BEFORE the invasion (whereas most nations waited until after), and indeed Operation Orbital which has been training the Ukraine military since 2014.
I know you won’t like it, but you should judge actions on their merit or lack-of, not on your own prejudice against the political views of the person behind them. Even Labour and LibDems have been to occasionally make the right call on something…
No Sean, I totally disagree and feel worried for you if you can see a complete charlatan trying to deflect attention from his awful failings as a human bring let alone as a PM.
I’d suggest he doesn’t need another cheer leader, he has enough idiots in his cabinet for that.
However, his woeful performance may well see Northern Ireland leaving the Union.
You’re going to support soneone who potentially broke up the United Kingdom?
He’s an opportunist and conniving, and like Bush puts on a bumbling act to engender likability. But he does believe in democracy and capitalism, so that puts him ahead of the idiots in the Labour Party. Boris would be behaving exactly the same towards Ukraine if his personal ratings were above those of Jesus Christ. The fact that his backing of Ukraine might be giving him a personal boost is bonus for him. Tell me, if the cabinet are full of idiots, why haven’t you run for politics? Surely the pay of a cabinet minister would be appealing? Or maybe… Read more »
Ranting? Look in the mirror and start playing the ball and not the man.
You’re the guy playing the man, Boris, rather than the ball, his support for the Ukraine 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️😆
Back off a minute if SF do win over here it doesn’t mean that they have the power to take us out of the Union! That will take a referendum to happen by which time there will probably be a unionist FM back in. By the way it still isn’t a done deal that they will get the FMs job yet anyway.
If Northern Ireland leaves it will be Cameron’s fault. He held the referendum without the slightest idea of what he was going to do if it didn’t go his way, then ran off with his mate George, leaving the country in the mire. Boris isn’t a great human being, but I’d take him over his two antecedents, and most of his likely replacements. I think he’s getting it right on Ukraine, and I don’t care why. Let the Catholics take on “right deed for the wrong reason” angst. If it turns out Boris has been consulting a magic 8-ball, that’s… Read more »
Useful point, thxs. However, someone proclaimed Brexit done, look at all the benefits. Hasn’t happened.
And I’ll take your point that SF can’t take NI out of the Union without a referendum, but, I’m in no doubt, that referendum will take place if SF win. Sad state of affairs.
The benefits? Well we were able to secure vaccines supplies far faster than the EU did… yes the EU scheme was voluntary, yet all members joined up even though the EU had no experience of negotiating vaccine purchases, an inexperience that came home to roost. Typical EU overreach.
But now we know. You hate Boris because you’re still sulking over losing a democratic referendum.
Still playing the man.
I’d hold your horses on vaccination rates. Stats out there referenced by the Economist might show you are in error, hey ho. Now if ‘Jonathan’ were to speak on this issue, I’d listen to him.
So, keep on keeping on, enjoy the results of tomorrow.
The Economist stats have usually had the UK pretty much in the middle of the EU league on ‘excess’ deaths.
It is true that not being members allowed us to move much quicker and without Brussels’ interference as EU thought the key was to buy well rather than to research and manufacture – and Brussels made those 4 countries which were trying to move quickly hand over the project, and publicly humiliated their Health Ministers.
The cost was probably the deaths of several 10s of k of EU citizens, caused by the resulting 6-8 week delay. My estimate.
Thanks for playing the ball.
You also raised some valuable points.
Yes I’m sure you’ll continue your ad hominem attacks on Boris…
The approval and delivery of vaccines ahead of the EU is established fact. Hence the EUs petulant attempt to ban vaccine exports to the U.K. before they realised that, in addition to breaking the NI Protocol they were shooting themselves in the foot: an important precursor for the vaccine was only available from a Yorkshire company.
What results tomorrow? I’d didn’t realise NUFC had a match before the weekend? 🤔
You do get a bit OCD on posters. Is all well in your house hold?
A bit hung up on what you’re told? Without thinking about the info you get.
Liable to forget the huge numbers of OAPs sent to care homes, upon which, 40,000+ – thats fourty thousand plus for the hard of thinking – died.
That this Govt. led by Bluffer lied and oversaw the deaths of loved ones due to the incompetence of this govt. and then this Govt. partied.
Right, I understand you’re a really well balanced individual.
Well baiting idiots like yourself gives me a break from battering conspiracy theorists on social media. Again you screw up, or are you disingenuous. You’re implying all those deaths in care homes were from hospital discharges, when in fact some would have been from staff carrying in the virus. And you totally overlook the fact that many more would have died if they’d been kept in hospital when beds and staff were needed for the pandemic. BTW – you realise England did far better with regards to deaths in care homes compared to many other countries, Scotland being an obvious… Read more »
Please be respectful of other posters!
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/about-us/social-media-and-comment-moderation-policy/
Yes, yes, of course.
Please be respectful of other posters!
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/about-us/social-media-and-comment-moderation-policy/
Exactly, what did I say wrong? I asked him to play the ball not the man. He chose not to.
However, I note your disapproval.
“You do get a bit OCD on posters. Is all well in your house hold?”
This goes against our policy detailed here:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/about-us/social-media-and-comment-moderation-policy/
Please feel free to e-mail me if you want to discuss this further. Thank you.