March 2nd 2022
I feel it is time for me to get recording events again.
Just making a few notes on what is happening and some of its effects.
Coronavirus and its devastating effects on the world were the most unrealistic situation we had experienced in our lifetime. Oh, how little did we know what was around the corner.
Vladimir Putin President of Russia had been amassing troops on the borders of Ukraine for a few weeks, posturing and flexing his muscles. The western world looked on hoping that this was just a big show and it would quietly go away after he had finished showing off.
However as Britain's defence secretary said Putin has gone full Tonto.
On February 24th 2022 Russia launched a large scale military invasion of Ukraine. Today is day 7 of the conflict.
I don’t really know what to write here as the world is possibly on the brink of world war 3. I remember when the CV19 hit and we were fearful for our health and lives. In hindsight my diary looks a bit melodramatic but at the time we had no idea what the virus was capable of or how we would be able to combat it.
As a forty mile long Russian military convoy heads towards Kyiv, Russian Paratroopers are in Kharkiv and Russians have completely surrounded the city of Kherson. There are air strikes, cluster bombs and 874,026 Ukrainians are seeking refuge in other countries. I don't feel I am being melodramatic.
I don’t think that I have ever been so worried and afraid of the future in my whole life. Ukraine’s citizens had their world destroyed overnight, People are literally fleeing for their lives. Men over the age of 18 are not allowed to leave the country, only women and children are being evacuated, many turning to Poland for help.
At present Putin has made no demands and has only issued threats to the rest of the world not to intervene or else there will be retribution like they have never seen.
China have so far not sided with Russia as it was first feared but seem today to be distancing themselves and have offered to mediate peace talks.
It is today reported that the armoured column has made little progress in the last 24hrs due to logistics and lack of fuel and food.
Many sanctions have been put in place, freezing Russian assets. Russian owned Nord stream has gone insolvent after Germany halted the gas pipeline. World shipping lines have stopped Russian deliveries.
Oil prices have soared and are today over $110 a barrel. Petrol here is £157.9 a litre. Remember when CV19 hit it went down to 99p.
Sporting events that were to have taken place in Russia have been moved elsewhere. A host of international football teams have refused to play Russia and it is also banned from many other sporting events, skating, cross country skiing, basketball and some track events. Russians and athletes from Belarus will be allowed to take part as Neutrals in the Paralympics due to start this Friday 4th March.
Not to make light of this dire situation but Russia have also been banned from taking part in the Eurovision song contest.
We can only hope that reports that Putin has miscalculated things are true and as that the rest of the world has turned their backs on him, he will come to his senses. Personally I agree about the full Tonto bit and cannot see him backing down. Somebody wrote the other day.
Please can we just fast forward to the bit where you kill yourself in a bunker! Not wishing anyone dead but there's a thought.
All hail Volodymyr Zelensky for his bravery and actions in the face of adversity.
