China have brought the rights to complete the 2nd unfinished airframe (if it is still around)
The China project fell through & never materialised
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/27146-second-an225-potential
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It seems a bit mean banning all these Russian athletes just because their countries at war. As I don’t think Putin is loosing sleep over not having his country represented in international sport. This is one of those things where peer pressure isn’t really going to make anyone think twise like in school. The only real way to stop Putin is through physical force, which will lead to many more deaths. So it’s wether it’s worth risking our army to defend Ukrain.
It’s all about changing the perception of the Russian people, not Putin.
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I’d say the impact is less on Putin and more on those around, opposed, or on the fence.
An unfortunate circumstance of economic sanctions is being felt by all Russians, but the benefit of which is anti-government sentiment over and above anti-war feelings with the bonus of also impacting the more wealthy and influential.
Russia is, however, a proud country and I suspect many with influence or a platform would become (further) dismayed and add to the overall effect of protests and public and private rebellion. Even those not greatly impacted monetarily or reputationally by all of this will be feeling the pain of national pride being damaged and this is just another step down that road. A degradation of that pride and/or ability to showcase national talents and compete is a far less harmful method of poisoning support and bolstering opposition than the other measures and sanctions taken.
…imagine the thoughts it might have created if Brexit meant no Euros or Champions League…
(a loose analogy, which the most fervent would undoubtedly have frothed at and twisted the narrative of the threat to their whim, but the milder supporters of Brexit could have been swayed at the thought)
Putin doesn’t survive this (either politically or potentially literally) without going even more despotic, but the more fronts Russia is hurt on beyond the impact and consequences of war and general economics I think the likelihood of a Putin-esque or straight up supporter/enabler managing to carry the torch into the future is reduced.
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I understand now. So bassicly to help the Russian people take down the government from the inside sort of thing.
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A big part of the Afghanistan conflict was “hearts and minds” - winning the goodwill and support of locals through positive actions inside the country to help turn them against the Taliban.
In this case we can’t act positively or from within, so can only attempt to erode support for Putin as opposed to win favour.
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What use is the UN?
Move to put sanctions in place on Russia, but because Russia vetoes it, it can’t happen.
How on earth can a country invade another, especially one of the big 5 and still keep its place and rights.
It was a very valuable revenue producer.
If you have the only one of something, that can cater to a very specific but necessary, requirement then you set the market rate for your service.
Certain cranes, borers, mining equipment, the Beluga…very specialised IT services and hardware… Ship shipping ships that ship shipping ships… Etc
All comes at a premium because of scarcity, and are scarce due to barriers to entry. Economy of scale does not apply here.
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Yes yes I know all that.
Another wont be built.
Someone might build something similar or such, but the 225 is dead.
So Chief of the Defence Staff has specifically stated that Britons should not go especially reservists & veterans.
The no fly zone debate is also interesting as is seems what Ukraine is actually asking for when then say no fly zone is actually Close Air Support, something that would be a form of conflict.
Which is basically asking NATO to declare war on Russia (even a no-fly zone would be widely dangerous as everyone seems to understand fortunately).
So I just saw the video of the Ukrainian girl in the bunker singing Let It Go. That’s hit me harder than the images of shelling and tank convoys and I admit I’ve been very teary for the last half an hour. Maybe film and video games have desensitised me a bit to the military imagery but seeing the girl a similar age to my daughter just destroyed me.
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At this point, with mounting civilian casualties.
Acts of near genocide.
War crimes.
We should simply give an ultimatum to Putin.
Followed by declaration of war.
Anyone kidding themselves that we don’t already have that now by default is truly an optimist.
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Here it comes. Poland gives Ukraine aircraft, Britain vows to defend Poland when they do.
Russia gives Poland a slap. We’re at war.
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We already are in all but name.
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OK, we’re in a balls out, no holds barred war with direct action and casualties.
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