Putin went into it thinking it would be easy; the Ukrainian army would collapse, the people would welcome the Russians as liberators and the West's response would be little more than verbal condemnation.

To declare it a fully blown war will be to recognize that his initial plan has failed and failure is something Putin can't contemplate as he knows his future will be in doubt if he does. 

Unfortunitly it wasn't only Putin that thought the Ukrainian army would collapse, the west did too and that's what lead to the delay in giving them arms to help defend themselves. Even now they don't seem to be able to get all NATO countries on board on Finland and Sweden joining the club. Turkey is saying it will veto it if their demands aren't meet. I never knew why Turkey was allowed in it in the first place other than because of it's location. They are too buddy buddy with the Russians for my liking.

The main concern now is the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians that had to surrender at the steel plant and what their fate will be.

The casualties so far in three months already outnumber those in the nine years the Russians were in Afghanistan.

My guess is that they will eventually control all of the Donbas and annex it, but of course it'll be a huge millstone around their neck as it'll cost billions to rebuild it. 

The casualties so far in three months already outnumber those in the nine years the Russians were in Afghanistan.

My guess is that they will eventually control all of the Donbas and annex it, but of course it'll be a huge millstone around their neck as it'll cost billions to rebuild it. 

They surpassed the deaths in Afghanistan month one, Mark. The Russians won't rebuild anything. They will simply keep it as a buffer zone.

If they want loyal Russians to live there, either those who welcomed the invasion or newcomers planted there, they'll have to make it habitable. Putin's plan is clear, he's already recognized the two Donbas "Republics" next will be a referendum, rigged of course, on union with Russia, but he'll need a sizeable number of voters living there to give it even a semblance of legality.

If they want loyal Russians to live there, either those who welcomed the invasion or newcomers planted there, they'll have to make it habitable. Putin's plan is clear, he's already recognized the two Donbas "Republics" next will be a referendum, rigged of course, on union with Russia, but he'll need a sizeable number of voters living there to give it even a semblance of legality.

Myself I would prefer if Biden gave the Ukrainian the long range weapons they are asking for. After what they have done to the Ukraines let the Ukrainians drop a few rounds in Red Square.

Russian will never have enough money to rebuild anything. They have leveled towns and cities in places they want to call their own. All Ukraines major industries have also been destroyed. I would go so far that all the grain products from the step that they have stolen and are trying to sell, have people go in and destroy it as soon as it's unloaded at it's destination. Countries will think twice about buying anymore stolen grain from Russia after that happens.

A great time to invest in North American grain products because by the looks of things, sales will be brisk this fall.

If they want loyal Russians to live there, either those who welcomed the invasion or newcomers planted there, they'll have to make it habitable. Putin's plan is clear, he's already recognized the two Donbas "Republics" next will be a referendum, rigged of course, on union with Russia, but he'll need a sizeable number of voters living there to give it even a semblance of legality.

Myself I would prefer if Biden gave the Ukrainian the long range weapons they are asking for. After what they have done to the Ukraines let the Ukrainians drop a few rounds in Red Square.

Russian will never have enough money to rebuild anything. They have leveled towns and cities in places they want to call their own. All Ukraines major industries have also been destroyed. I would go so far that all the grain products from the step that they have stolen and are trying to sell, have people go in and destroy it as soon as it's unloaded at it's destination. Countries will think twice about buying anymore stolen grain from Russia after that happens.

A great time to invest in North American grain products because by the looks of things, sales will be brisk this fall.

Now wait a minute Pete, why don't all those Canucks you posted about, you know the one's doing all the humanitarian aid in Ukraine & have them send those long- range weapons. Seems as if the Ukrainians would appreciate that more than a band-aid, cup of coffee & a dozen Timbits. 

If they want loyal Russians to live there, either those who welcomed the invasion or newcomers planted there, they'll have to make it habitable. Putin's plan is clear, he's already recognized the two Donbas "Republics" next will be a referendum, rigged of course, on union with Russia, but he'll need a sizeable number of voters living there to give it even a semblance of legality.

Myself I would prefer if Biden gave the Ukrainian the long range weapons they are asking for. After what they have done to the Ukraines let the Ukrainians drop a few rounds in Red Square.

Russian will never have enough money to rebuild anything. They have leveled towns and cities in places they want to call their own. All Ukraines major industries have also been destroyed. I would go so far that all the grain products from the step that they have stolen and are trying to sell, have people go in and destroy it as soon as it's unloaded at it's destination. Countries will think twice about buying anymore stolen grain from Russia after that happens.

A great time to invest in North American grain products because by the looks of things, sales will be brisk this fall.

Now wait a minute Pete, why don't all those Canucks you posted about, you know the one's doing all the humanitarian aid in Ukraine & have them send those long- range weapons. Seems as if the Ukrainians would appreciate that more than a band-aid, cup of coffee & a dozen Timbits. 

Canadian was one of the first if not the first to send them long-range artillery Tommy a month or so ago. The States at the same time was still hemming and hawing about it. Britain has also send them a lot of equipment that you also probably haven''t heard about.The two first sentences in my post were directed to the States, not Canada.

ARussian tank apparently rolled over a mine before being hit by Ukrainian ordnance that caused it to explode in what is known as a Jack-in-the-box effect.

The Jack-in-the-box effect happens when a tank's ammunition compartment explodes, causing its turret to be violently torn off the rest of the vehicle.

In a video obtained from the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the turret can be seen lying next to the tank, which appears to be a T-72B3, as the footage ends, after reportedly rolling over a mine before it was hit by Ukrainian ordnance.

The T-72B3 is a recent Russian upgrade to their aging T-72B tanks, but they do not appear to have fixed the vehicle's known vulnerability to the Jack-in-the-box effect, caused by the tank's ammunition sometimes detonating when the vehicle is hit.

It is currently unclear where exactly in Ukraine the footage was filmed, but Ukrainian media have reported that it was shot in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. This has not been independently verified.

The Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said: "It is better to look under your feet, Russians, because there are many more such surprises waiting for you on our land."

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported that from February 24 to June 1, Russia lost about 30,700 military personnel.

When the video starts you will see you-tube come up along the bottom. If you hit on that, it will take you directly to you-tube where you can see it better

If they want loyal Russians to live there, either those who welcomed the invasion or newcomers planted there, they'll have to make it habitable. Putin's plan is clear, he's already recognized the two Donbas "Republics" next will be a referendum, rigged of course, on union with Russia, but he'll need a sizeable number of voters living there to give it even a semblance of legality.

Myself I would prefer if Biden gave the Ukrainian the long range weapons they are asking for. After what they have done to the Ukraines let the Ukrainians drop a few rounds in Red Square.

Russian will never have enough money to rebuild anything. They have leveled towns and cities in places they want to call their own. All Ukraines major industries have also been destroyed. I would go so far that all the grain products from the step that they have stolen and are trying to sell, have people go in and destroy it as soon as it's unloaded at it's destination. Countries will think twice about buying anymore stolen grain from Russia after that happens.

A great time to invest in North American grain products because by the looks of things, sales will be brisk this fall.

Now wait a minute Pete, why don't all those Canucks you posted about, you know the one's doing all the humanitarian aid in Ukraine & have them send those long- range weapons. Seems as if the Ukrainians would appreciate that more than a band-aid, cup of coffee & a dozen Timbits. 

Canadian was one of the first if not the first to send them long-range artillery Tommy a month or so ago. The States at the same time was still hemming and hawing about it. Britain has also send them a lot of equipment that you also probably haven''t heard about.The two first sentences in my post were directed to the States, not Canada.

Canada must have gotten long-range artillery from the U.S. or GB. You are confused about what Canada sent. More like canoe paddles & beaver pelts. Is Biden doing the Hemming & hawing Pete? 

Let's just recognize the joint NATO effort against Russia, in fact more than NATO, Japan and other friendly nations are getting involved too.

Let's just recognize the joint NATO effort against Russia, in fact more than NATO, Japan and other friendly nations are getting involved too.

Good advice.

If they want loyal Russians to live there, either those who welcomed the invasion or newcomers planted there, they'll have to make it habitable. Putin's plan is clear, he's already recognized the two Donbas "Republics" next will be a referendum, rigged of course, on union with Russia, but he'll need a sizeable number of voters living there to give it even a semblance of legality.

Myself I would prefer if Biden gave the Ukrainian the long range weapons they are asking for. After what they have done to the Ukraines let the Ukrainians drop a few rounds in Red Square.

Russian will never have enough money to rebuild anything. They have leveled towns and cities in places they want to call their own. All Ukraines major industries have also been destroyed. I would go so far that all the grain products from the step that they have stolen and are trying to sell, have people go in and destroy it as soon as it's unloaded at it's destination. Countries will think twice about buying anymore stolen grain from Russia after that happens.

A great time to invest in North American grain products because by the looks of things, sales will be brisk this fall.

Now wait a minute Pete, why don't all those Canucks you posted about, you know the one's doing all the humanitarian aid in Ukraine & have them send those long- range weapons. Seems as if the Ukrainians would appreciate that more than a band-aid, cup of coffee & a dozen Timbits. 

Canadian was one of the first if not the first to send them long-range artillery Tommy a month or so ago. The States at the same time was still hemming and hawing about it. Britain has also send them a lot of equipment that you also probably haven''t heard about.The two first sentences in my post were directed to the States, not Canada.

Canada must have gotten long-range artillery from the U.S. or GB. You are confused about what Canada sent. More like canoe paddles & beaver pelts. Is Biden doing the Hemming & hawing Pete? 

Yes, Biden is driving the bus but both sides of the aisle are worried the Ukranians might just get pissed off enough to start shelling Russia itself on purpose or by accident which could spill the war over to neighbouring NATO countries.

NATO countries sell military equipment to each other and yes the Artillery Canada send could have been made in Britain or even the States but it was paid for by Canada. Also military contracts will sometimes have parts made in one country and other parts made in another. No different that the way cars and trucks are made in North America. It's were the end product ends that matters.

It's highly likely that the Russians will fake a Ukrainian attack as the pretext for some escalation or to attempt to weaken Western resolve. They have a history of those kind of things; video of burning buildings, a few bodies and a claim that Ukraine is on the attack. 

I read about this deployment a couple of weeks ago in some obscure article on the internet.  I haven't seen anything about it on any of the news stations.  Either I'm missing something or someone doesn't want us to know we're putting boots on the ground in Somalia. 

Somalia is where all the pirates live that raid in smaller boats in the Arabian Sea around the Gulf of Oman or Gulf of Aden. Their the ones that capture oil and cargo ships and take them over and hold the ship hostage looking for the shipping companies to pay them ranson money. Nato ships have been deployed in this area for a long time now trying to stop them. Everyone and their dog in Somalia has an AK-47 or RPG.

I imagine the States is worried about the oil supply routes. Just another thing that will raise you fuel prices Tommy.

Somalia has had a lot of in fighting going on for years now between different rival groups. Not your number one tourist destination for sure.

Western troops are deployed all over the world in little known conflicts that rarely make the news, unless there's a major cock-up or bombing etc. 

Western troops are deployed all over the world in little known conflicts that rarely make the news, unless there's a major cock-up or bombing etc. 

Yes like the Blackhawk down incident that was brought to light with the movie. 

Western troops are deployed all over the world in little known conflicts that rarely make the news, unless there's a major cock-up or bombing etc. 

Yes like the Blackhawk down incident that was brought to light with the movie. 

The 1994 Black Hawk shootdown incident, sometimes referred to as the Black Hawk Incident, was a friendly fire incident over northern Iraq that occurred on 14 April 1994 during Operation Provide Comfort (OPC). The pilots of two United States Air Force (USAF) F-15 fighter aircraft, operating under the control of a USAF airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, misidentified two United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as Iraqi Mil Mi-24 "Hind" helicopters. The F-15 pilots fired on and destroyed both helicopters, killing all 26 military and civilians aboard, including personnel from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Turkey, and the Kurdish community.

A subsequent USAF investigation blamed the accident on several factors. The F-15 pilots were faulted for misidentifying the helicopters as hostile. Also, the crew members of the AWACS aircraft were blamed for their inaction in failing to exercise appropriate control and for not intervening in the situation. In addition, the identification friend or foe (IFF) systems had not functioned to identify the helicopters to the F-15 pilots. Furthermore, USAF leaders had failed to adequately integrate U.S. Army helicopter operations into overall OPC air operations. As a result of the investigation several USAF officers received administrative discipline but only one, Jim Wang, an AWACS crew member, was tried by court-martial, in which he was acquitted.

As a result of complaints by family members of the victims and others that the military was failing to hold its personnel accountable, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House conducted their own investigations into the shootdown and the U.S. military's response to it. Also, Ronald R. Fogleman, the USAF's new Chief of Staff, conducted his own review of the actions taken by the USAF against the officers involved in the incident.

Fogleman's investigation led to several of the officers involved in the incident receiving further administrative discipline. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) subsequently refused U.S. Senate subpoenas for four USAF officers to be interviewed for the Senate investigation, which was never publicly released. The U.S. House investigation, conducted in part by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), found that the military investigative and judicial systems had operated mostly as designed, but also noted that the DoD had refused access to key witnesses.