Russo-Ukrainian War Thread - Page 35

On March 07 2022 05:13 Silvanel wrote:
Glad You are safe. Hoverla is in western Ukraine though, I doubt there is a calm place in the east right now. Made me confused when I read Your post.

COPENHAGEN, March 6 (Reuters) - Denmark will significantly increase its defence budget and aim to become independent of Russian natural gas in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Sunday.

The Nordic country will increase its defence spending gradually to reach 2% of GDP by 2033, equivalent to an increase in annual defence spending of around 18 billion Danish crowns ($2.65 billion) under an agreement between the main parliamentary parties.

The parties also agreed to set aside 7 billion crowns over the next two years to strengthen Danish defence, diplomacy and humanitarian efforts.

"Historic times call for historic decisions," Frederiksen said at a press briefing in Copenhagen, adding that this was "the largest investment in Danish defence in recent times".

Denmark, a NATO member, agreed in 2019 to increase military spending from 1.35% of its economic output to 1.5% by 2023, but had been under pressure from the United States to reach the NATO target of 2%.

Germany said last week that it would sharply increase its spending on defence to more than 2% of GDP and quickly reduce its dependence on Russian energy. read more

"Putin's pointless and brutal attack on Ukraine has heralded a new era in Europe, a new reality," Frederiksen said.

"Ukraine's struggle is not just Ukraine's, it's a test of strength for everything we believe in, our values, democracy, human rights, peace and freedom."

To accommodate higher defence spending, Denmark's current budget restrictions will be eased, and the deficit will turn negative after 2025.

Frederiksen said the main parliamentary parties had agreed that Denmark should become independent of Russian gas "as soon as possible", although no timeframe was stipulated.

They also agreed that a referendum should be held on June 1 on whether to participate in the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), almost 30 years after Danes chose to opt out.

Participating in the CSDP would enable Denmark to take part in joint EU military operations and to cooperate on development and acquisition of military capabilities within the EU framework.

Denmark won exemptions from some EU policy areas, including the euro currency and defence and security policy, in a 1992 referendum on the Maastricht Treaty that laid the groundwork for the modern European Union. ($1 = 6.8038 Danish crowns)

On March 07 2022 06:11 Simberto wrote:
I kind of really hate that that shit is necessary. There would be so many better ways to use the money spent on defense, and yet we have to, because of asshole autocrats like Putin.

The price of freedom is high; it always has been. But it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not.?

WASHINGTON—Moscow is recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to fight in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion is poised to expand deeper into cities, according to U.S. officials.

An American assessment indicates that Russia, which has been operating inside Syria since 2015, has in recent days been recruiting fighters from there, hoping their expertise in urban combat can help take Kyiv and deal a devastating blow to the Ukraine government, according to four American officials. The move points to a potential escalation of fighting in Ukraine, experts said.

It is unclear how many fighters have been identified, but some are already in Russia preparing to enter the conflict, according to one official.

Officials declined to elaborate on what else is known about the deployment of Syrian fighters to Ukraine, the status or precise scale of the effort.

According to a publication based in Deir Ezzor, Syria, Russia has offered volunteers from the country between $200 and $300 “to go to Ukraine and operate as guards” for six months at a time.

On March 07 2022 03:46 Gorsameth wrote:
Because its unlikely they could organise something like the transfer of fighters without Russia finding out anywhere so there is no point keeping it a secret, might aswell score some points while your at it.

On March 07 2022 09:01 deacon.frost wrote:

The question here is - how will you deliver the planes? Russia already stated that if any country will provide a safe harbour to the Ukrainian air force, they will be a part of the conflict(and as such providing an airfield to start the fly over mission can be seen this way). And I cannot see them arriving by land successfully. One thing is to not shoot at every truck driving towards Ukraine, the other is to not shoot at trucks openly carrying fighter jets.

On March 07 2022 09:17 Gorsameth wrote:
Bring Ukrainian pilot to Poland. Get him in a new fighter and fly it to a Ukraine airfield. Voila, its now based out of Ukraine and not Poland.

On March 07 2022 04:18 Dav1oN wrote:
Hey guys, just a quick update on my situation. We're safe in a calm place in western Ukraine at the moment, it was hell of a ride for my family & pets, 30 hours train journey in a stacked vagon with many people including foreigners, w/o complete understanding where we should go. With the help of friends, relatives, people with whom i worked previously and impressive support by TL members/community we made it out. Right now we are trying to recover at least physically, since mentally it's still very hard to accept the reality.

It's a lovely and beautiful place near montain Hoverla (Bukovel region), I wish the obstacles were different to enjoy the local nature and culture fully.

Unfortunately our parents decided to stay in Kharkiv to take care of grandmothers as they are very old and hardly could be transported during such awful times, as our main railroad station (Pivdenniy vokzal) is overcrowded with frightened people trying to evacuate even more than before. At least our parents moved to my family apartment as it's safer in comparison to Saltivka district which is nearly leveled by now due to massive shelling. Plus there are a bunch of neighbours and a small community, so they should feel a bit safer out there. Hoping to see them again sooner rather than later.

Mentally I already feel myself like a refugee, not a pleasant feeling, but better than alternatives. Still waking up during the night due to specific sounds as it reminds me shelling/airstrikes. With time it will pass.

On a positive side, Ukraine is united as never before and everyone is trying to help each other, plus we feel the support from the West and we have many hopes for the future. People are dreaming to come back to a normal life and to rebuild our cities. We're not going to give up and we will work hard to restore everything that was lost. We are dreaming to rebuild our country for the best of humanity!

On March 07 2022 07:56 SC-Shield wrote:


Don't worry, Russia will collapse on its own once again before Denmark has the chance to reach defense spending of 2% GDP by 2033. Russia cannot support a long war in Ukraine and economic recession. They can only pick one...
I'm getting optimistic each day that we have to let sanctions sink in for as long as necessary despite all macho talk by Putin and his 'tough resolve'.

To quote my favourite sci-fi character: