Russia has now invaded Ukraine? Do you think World War lll is really here?

[ManOnFire]

Yes

No

[CuriousJC]

National History Channel: TV Show Wars Season 12, episode 45: The Russo-Ukrainian.
The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing armed conflict that began in February 2014, primarily involving Russia and pro-Russian forces on one hand, and Ukraine on the other. The conflict initially centred on the status of Crimea and parts of the Donbas, which are internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. The conflict has included the Russian annexation of Crimea (2014), the Donbas War (2014–present), naval incidents, cyberwarfare, political tensions, and Russian military buildups near Ukraine's borders from 2021. Russia moved forces into the separatist-controlled regions on 22 February 2022. This culminated in a full Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. Following the Euromaidan protests and the subsequent removal of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February 2014, and amidst pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, Russian soldiers without insignias took control of strategic positions and infrastructure within the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. On 1 March 2014, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation unanimously adopted a resolution to petition Russian President Vladimir Putin to use military force in Ukraine. The resolution was adopted several days later, after the start of the Russian military operation on the "Returning of Crimea". Russia then annexed Crimea after a widely criticised local referendum which was organised by Russia after the capturing of the Crimean Parliament whose outcome was for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to join the Russian Federation. In April, demonstrations by pro-Russian groups in the Donbas area of Ukraine escalated into a war between the Ukrainian government and the Russian-backed separatist forces of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. In August, Russian military vehicles crossed the border in several locations of Donetsk Oblast. The incursion by the Russian military was seen as responsible for the defeat of Ukrainian forces in early September. In November 2014, the Ukrainian military reported intensive movement of troops and equipment from Russia into the separatist-controlled parts of the eastern Ukraine. The Associated Press reported 40 unmarked military vehicles on the move in rebel-controlled areas. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission observed convoys of heavy weapons and tanks in DPR-controlled territory without insignia. OSCE monitors further stated they observed vehicles transporting ammunition and soldiers' dead bodies crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border under the guise of humanitarian aid convoys. As of early August 2015, OSCE observed over 21 such vehicles marked with the Russian military code for soldiers killed in action.[88] According to The Moscow Times, Russia has tried to intimidate and silence human rights workers discussing Russian soldiers' deaths in the conflict. OSCE has reported that its observers were denied access to the areas controlled by "combined Russian-separatist forces". The majority of members of the international community and organizations such as Amnesty International have condemned Russia for its actions in post-revolutionary Ukraine, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty. Many countries implemented economic sanctions against Russia, Russian individuals or companies. In October 2015, The Washington Post reported that Russia has redeployed some of its elite units from Ukraine to Syria to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In December 2015, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin admitted that Russian military intelligence officers were operating in Ukraine, insisting though that they were not the same as regular troops. In February 2019, 7% of Ukraine's territory was classified by the Ukrainian government as temporarily occupied territories.

[OpenClose]

I can't say either way. Like I'm pretty sure Russia will take Ukraine, but that's out of sheer numbers and economy. NATO members have our hands tied as NATO involvement WOULD turn it into WWIII. So on that front, we'll have to see if Putin stops there.

But if he goes straight for the Baltics afterwards, that IS NATO territory.

But it's a lot of the language and other tensions that have me on edge. Russia setting their defenses on high alert. Russia and China making a banking deal incase Russia is pulled from SWIFT. China looking like they're trying to make a play for Taiwan after we're all distracted. The US pulling manufacturing from China to the states.

Don't get me wrong. That last one is AWESOME. We need to stop relying on other countries for things we can make HERE. Especially since we might get to see the Midwest become a new Silicon Valley if things play out right. And I'm tired of celebrities cutting Tibetan characters from movies, or apologizing for calling Taiwan a country. Like, imagine if we pulled Batman or Iron Man because we portrayed a "member of the bourgeoise as a hero", and then apologized to the USSR for it. WTF.

Biden might have said "It wouldn't be much of a world war since the world is against them". But with China's involvement, it definitely WOULD be a world war.

But at the very least, it's heartening to see so many anti-war protests all throughout the USSR. Even Russian soldiers in Ukraine are relatively unenthusiastic because they aren't totally aligned with Putin's objective. It's important to remember that wars are primarily waged between world leaders. "The Russians" aren't our enemies. "The Chinese" aren't our enemies. Oligarchs with nuke buttons are.

[Rabbagail]

It's just all about NATO for me. SO many European countries are in it like France, the UK, Italy, so much more. If Russia were to even enter one of those countries, USA would be involved because in the 1940s they vowed to protect countries in the NATO movement. It would be WW3, and a new event for history.

[WideOpenMind4Eyes2C]

USA today is a different animal I think. I don't believe they have the balls to confront Russia militarily. Actions shown already, or lack thereof shows them up as trigger shy or even fearful.
Too long using or overusing Sanctions has been looking pathetic and ineffective for a while now.
As good as a U. N resolution with Israel.

[adamjanovic]

Putin is evil, but not stupid. He’s not going to be insane enough to invade a country that belongs to NATO (which Ukraine does not) because that would be suicide for him. And he’s going to have his hands full trying to take and then keep control of Ukraine before he can even try to invade anyone else.

[QuietRunner]

100 % agree

[ManOnFire]

Yep, my same thought.

[ThisDudeHere]

Russia is behaving the way it is because of existential threats. Russia has multiple geographic barriers that are easy to defend - of which it has secured only three. The rest fell away when the USSR collapsed, which had secured al of them. Russia's population is about to take a huge hit in the coming two decades. If they don't act now, they'll be in for a lot of shit.

I'm not excusing them, just giving context.

[VanillaSalt]

I like that you can understand this most are too emotional about it. At the end of the day people are still animals and this worlds still eat or be eaten.

[virtue2332]

I think what we are seeing here is Russia testing the water. My concern is that Russia could be feeling more emboldened and it wouldn't take much to give them reassurance to take a risk. It would come down to risk vs reward. On their own I don't think they risk it however with reassurances from say China that they would not retaliate and have some support if someone did step in it becomes less risky. For China the strategic advantage is to see how everyone reacts and on what time frame. So they could give reassurance to Russia just to see how things play out. They could use this info to and relate it to their Taiwan goals. Not good for anyone that would want to get along. Being a Veteran having been overseas close to that region I can say we are always ready for anything and have a capable force I can also say it would be costly and dangerous for all of humanity. What I think what could stop it would be for everyone who has the means would be to document what's going on and show the world first hand what war really looks like. It's easy for the media to gloss over and politicize the images they show. We are in an age were any can video with thier phones. Live stream show what this is like uncensored because it's easy to make decisions and take sides when people aren't faced with what this looks like. Hearing about casualties vs seeing first hand what it actually looks like and sounds like are two different things.

[MarkRet]

Probably not. This kind of all started when the west or the US tried to talk Ukraine into joining NATO. Putin won't allow that, and it brings us closer to confrontation. Biden won't do much more than issue sanctions, and the rest of the western countries always look to the US to 'do something'.

There could be a better way to handle this: Ukraine could just hand over the disputed territories to Russia (the Ukrainians never really had much control over those areas anyway), in exchange for ethnic Russians in Ukraine to be relocated to these areas, and ethnic Ukrainians be relocated out of those areas. Ukraine could then behave like Finland, and not deal with the west or Russians again, but that would require out-of-the-box thinking, which Biden isn't capable of doing.

[ManOnFire]

Very interesting idea.

[FakeName123]

We will see.

Ever since 2010 I was predicting hyperinflation to come with the next real depression. We are now at the very start of it while simultaneously all nations are startnig to become more aggressive. For like 10+ years the EU and USA have been using sanctions against Russia while simultaneously increasing their military presence in Poland and Ukraine. Quite frankly - it was just a matter of time until Russia stops taking the hits and goes on the offense. This is a surprised Pikachu face moment right there. If you poke a wild animal long enough it will eventually bite.

Could this be the catalyst to world war? Absolutely. But I don't think its ever the reason. There has been a lot of things going on way prior to this - let alone the ongoing civil war that Ukraine has been since 2014.

[VanillaSalt]

If we have ww3 is cause biden hits the Russian mainland. Let’s be frank about this… the USA setup a puppet government in Ukraine. Ukraine expressed interest in being in NATO… the USA is overthrowing “dictators” and putting in their own puppet governments all around the world…this is true period. If the world wasn’t split in two USA would own it all and would then negative as a monopoly and do as they want.


there’s a certain safety in multiple powers maintaining a deadlock. Like nukes. Imagine if only one country has nukes. Not afraid to use them. Now imagine if the world was under USA control.


Putin’s taking a foothold and strengthening his position. Worst case him and biden will exchange blows for a while then come to an “agreement” where by Russia comes out slightly ahead of where it was before.

[ManOnFire]

How would it come out ahead?

[imfreeze95]

As someone who has studied history for a long time (20 years) I would say that it is a very high likelihood that if the talks between Russia and Ukraine fall through then it is a very high likelihood. allow me to explain

1: Hitler invaded the Sudetenland the rest of Czechoslovakia under the guise of Ethnic German Protection. Putin has invaded Crimea and now has invaded the rest of Ukraine for similar reasons
2 NATO is now in a very similar position as the League of Nations After World War I
sedentary and ineffectual
3 Our enemies Know it

[Lliam]

Not unless the U. S. decides to start it. Russia is just neutralizing Ukrainian military forces and U. S. bioweapons labs. It's not trying to take over Ukraine and has no intention of going further.

Ukrainian forces have massacred over 14,000 civilians since 2014. Russia finally stepped in to protect people in Donbas from artillery and snipers. The main thing that Russia refused to accept was the possibility of U. S. nukes in Ukraine.

Since the "invasion" the Ukrainian government has magically decided to negotiate neutrality with Russia. That's what Russia has been trying to do for almost 8 years. So I think this will all be over soon.

[mobiusforniner]

Thanks, somebody actually knows the background to all this.

[FreyaRed]

Russia will use nukes if someone tries to attack their territory. Russian foreign mister threats my country regulary since three decades with nuclear strike, since we aren't anymore member of Warsaw Pact, nevertheless our government sent two days back hundreds portable air defense missiles, German helmets and body armors to defenders in Ukraine.
Some people think it's crazy but with drunk animals like Russians you shouldn't never show fear, because if you afraid of them they will attack you.

[Ryfyle]

I hope they launch some nukes.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

I believed at start, but the situation is not that grave. But near to it.
All will be decided on how the leaders, including President Putin, react to the circumstances.

Recently watched a WWIII video on youtube. How will it proceed, what will happen afterwards. Everything. The superpowers now, don't want that, 100%.

[DaveJord]

I said no, because I do not think NATO has as a whole as the intestinal fortitude to grow a pair as an organization. Maybe the Five English speaking countries... (Canada, Austria, United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States) will grow a pair... but the Frenchie's and Germans will bail.

[Anonymous]

Matthew 24:
and Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars

and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

[Anonymous]

Not likely but Putin may try to threaten NATO and test the resolve of the alliance. There’s no question he’d like to go further. Putin thought the fall of the Soviet Union was the worst catastrophe the world had seen, while most of the planet celebrated. He’s not a good man.

[mrpt1986]

Thats not really accurate, what if i can and built a rocket base on ur doorstep? What will u do?, war is ugly but he had to...

[Opinion Owner]

Missiles don’t need to be on your doorstep anymore to be a threat. He’s no safer now than he was prior to the invasion. He doesn’t respect the sovereignty of Ukraine…. or that of the Baltic states either. He simply doesn’t want to see NATO expansion, which is designed to contain Russian aggression. However, NATO has never been a threat to Russian sovereignty.

[WideOpenMind4Eyes2C]

@mrpt1986 Agree. Messing in Ukraine is not the wests business nor it's right. They had given their word not to try to Nato Ukraine. Pull your liberally globalizing heads in Nutso

[AllThatSweetJazz]

It is the west’s business, it’s the world’s business. Respecting the sovereignty of nations and fighting expansionism IS being anti-globalist. Your isolationism will bring us closer to the one world nation. If you’re going to have liberty and sovereignty then you have to defend it where it’s being threatened.

[genericname85]

well that depends whether the UN/USA decides to start a war about that or if they just decide to let that slide, cause they've been in violation of the peace treaties with russia for decades also.

i mean ukraine is a fucked up country either way. wether russia "invades" or usa "brings democracy" is not a real difference to them.

[JSmuve]

Doubtful. With all the nuclear weapons that Russia has, the west would sooner throw Ukraine to the wolves than risk war with Russia and a war-mongering ideologue like Putin. But who knows, WW2 started with one country invading another.

[alice55]

European countries are stupid they're actually going to go against Russia (I'm watching the information right now)... Not with their military but with economy (they're going to try to block everything and steal all of Russian property outside of Russia).

[ManOnFire]

@JSmuve Putin has threatened to retaliate against anyone who tries to fight him or hurt Russia, and honestly that does concern me. I don't feel like all these sanctions are really going to change anything.

[alice55]

The sanction are going to bite us in the ass. We are the one going to suffer from this sanction not Russia.

[ManOnFire]

@alice55 Same thought.

[JSmuve]

Yup, I read that. I think that's just posturing but who knows. Putin lies about everything. He's the type of person to say he's not punching you as he's punching you. It's all psychological warfare. And I don't think the sanctions will do anything either. He's in it for the long-haul. It started in 2014 with the invasion of Crimea and after some initial condemnation from the west, they just rolled over and moved on while Russia built a bridge across the Kerch Strait. I don't expect the west to do anything but shake their fist and say "you can't do that!"

[alice55]

It's hard to know, for example Europe can say something Putin take it bad and declare war on us. Or it can not attack any Otan country and just annex lots of ancient URSS countries to Russia while Europe take sanctions and this can last for 20 years or more.
UE can't do nothing to be honest Russia have nuclear power and us too so if we go against each other all Europe is going to get heavily bombarded. (I think the country who would get the worst of it would-be central and Eastern European countries).
In France they talked about a new cold war era.

[Anonymous]

I'd say this is only the genesis of World War 3. History does indeed repeat itself and if history tells us anything that this will lead to a major war.
I mean all we can really do is hope it doesn't but the sad truth is, it is more than likely to turn into one.

[ManOnFire]

Completely agree.

[Loveisgirthy]

I'm one to not believe or care about any politician. Everyone's pawns who think they are kings and that's how capitalism wants it, but Putin does seem legitimate in just doing what he's set out to do and not anything further after Ukraine. But honestly I'm just so done hearing about all of it. All my elders care about is politics. You see them fighting getting all riled up over simple differences and their wives just sitting back dry as the Sahara's dryest carcass. It's insane we'll discuss and fight to our graves and nothing we say could change it.

[Diodoro]

Potentially, but unlikely with how well Ukraine is holding up. I don't think Russia expected this big of a fight

[ManOnFire]

I know, it's even surprising me. I like the Zelenskiy and his people are really showing their grit and not leaving.

[Diodoro]

The President fighting with them was surprising. What wasn't surprising was civilians fighting. Saw missiles dropping on the front lawns of people's homes. Damn right they're gonna fight.

If that was me I'd fight like hell. Imagine being a young 18-22 when this is happening. I'd be lowkey amped and excited to kill some Russians

[Deathraider]

I think fighting is only going to be localized to Ukraine. No European countries want to take Putin out of power by force, that would lead to chaos in Russia. Russia wants Ukraine, Russia attacking outside of Ukraine would only escalate the war, which wouldn’t help Russia at all. If Russia attacked NATO, they know they’re dead.

[Ryfyle]

For the morons cheering for Russia in the no existant hope that some Blackmail Data will be released on some US politicians, get real. If that were to happen, Putin would be dead withing the minute and a new puppet will be installed. All of this a distraction from the WEF infiltrating governments across the globe.

[mrpt1986]

I think ww3 will begin only if china started invading taiwan
What happened in ukraine was russia protecting her own borders
NATO is really trying to surround Russian territory which is something Russia will never accept
Its their own national security