They are a bit too white to be termed "refugees".

That book was written in 2015, a year after Russia had started to de facto invade the Donbas, so please spare us the "predictions" part.

And "an increasingly nationalistic Ukraine"? An unbelievable statement.

Is it as refugees are displaced due to war famine and all the nasty bits (Ukraine), whilst these people could be seen as asylum seekers?

I'm never sure of the exact delineation.

Hmm, I didn't even think of "strategy", albeit that might be a good point in a more pragmatic world. (which is not mine)

Technically they aren't refugees. I think asylum seekers or exiles are more accurate terms. Europe had seen "Hungarian refugees" in 1956 (for instance) so I'm not sure it has anything to do with nationality or race. I think the reluctance to use this term derives from the fact that EU countries would have legal obligations for these ones too.

I think refugees is the correct term. It doesn't also stop them being one or more of asylum seekers / exiles.

They would be refugees as they are defined as:

"a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster."

They seem to qualify.

I don't know, as their country is not at war, just conducting "Special Military Operations"...

I suspect they might be persecuted for not wholeheartedly embracing said Spec Mil Ops.

Finnland had has a history with Russia, not too long ago the country was part of Russia and the Finns haven’t forgotten that. So it’s understandable when Helsinki closes the border to Russia.

Very interesting, the Finland Ministry of Interior is telling what should be written in asylum applications to be considered and eventually accepted. Somehow, until a week ago, the number asylum applications from Russian citizens are comparable to past years, very low numbers.

https://yle.fi/news/3-12636441

Just a few thoughts...EU policy of ending tourist visas may be aimed at forcing fleeing Russians to apply for asylum. Imagine the strategic propaganda value of talking about 500'000 asylum applicants from Russia. 50K, 100K or 1 million, don't know, any number is good for headlines about Russian refugees.

Of course, Putin cannot take this propaganda blow. So, the low number of Russian applicants for asylum may mean that the young men fleeing Russia may have been threatened that if they apply for asylum in EU, their families back in Russia will face consequences. Blackmail mafia style.

Also, the people fleeing the war as tourists, may be thinking to return to Russia after some time. Applying for asylum in EU is quite probably crossing the Rubicon, no way back.

So, maybe it's not that weird that asylum applicants from Russia are quite low in numbers.

Bunch of Russian reservists dumped in an empty field with snow on the ground, at least they are out of range of Ukraine artillery.

Incendiary devices/bomblets raining down on Ozerne, Ukraine, a 5k residents town maybe 50km west of Kiev. They pay a terrible price for the air base close by.

https://twitter.com/grishchukroma/st...84236324327424

It is unclear tough when this video was taken. Both sides have this type of devices.

Wow. It makes Dad's Army look like the SAS!

Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Putin
If You Think We're On The Run?
We Are The Boys Who Will Stop Your Little Game
We Are The Boys Who Will Make You Think Again
'Cause Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Putin
If You Think Old Ukraine‘s Done?



Sorry, could not resist.

Claimed to be a russian attack with 9M22S (9M22C) incendiary rockets on 20th September on a liberated village, rocket was invented in 1971 so presumably, both sides have them.

Horrible war, horrible weapons, too many civilians dying,

New recruits must be ready and motivated after hearing this:

https://twitter.com/Reevellp/status/1574726637412753408

I know, I was quite good at history.

I don't want to criticise Finland, far away from me...(I mean who wants to criticise Finland, right?), I just want to understand this measure, the logic of it. Because I'm sure more countries will follow suit. It doesn't seem entirely fair to me.

Here is a map (English Language) of the Kharkiv Oblast and surrounding area to the East from a Russian military blogger, Rybar, that shows Lyman surrounded and Ukraine forces further East and North of Lyman than Ukraine claims in the north through to Drobyshevo and Stavki , in the south to Torskoy and Yampol. Click on the map to enlarge or copy it to an image app.

Some claim that Putin is determined not to lose Lyman and has ordered no surrender and is sending huge numbers of reservists to Lyman via routes all within range of Ukraine's artillery so basically a slaughter; not that Putin cares so long as some get through - the human wave approach.

There's already a tiny Russian minority living in Finland, of which most came right after the fall of communism, in search of political asylum (ethnic Finns from Russian Karelia) or to pursue a career, or those who simply came with a job.
Btw, did you ever watch "The Americans"? So actual. Anyways, if there's a "fifth column" chances are they - i.e. the Russians - already planted it...there or in the Baltic states which have a significant (historical) Russian minority.
And how many people do you think will be able to defect? It was never easy to defect from Russia during hard times*.
Odds are it will be the young Aliosha from Moscow, who is 23, has graduated an IT programme and is afraid of war, a 45 years old Serghey from St.Petersburg, who is a musician and tried to escape a few times but had to wait till he saved money.....exactly those people we should let in.

Just saying.

*that and the fact that Russians are constantly told that the "collective West" hates them all, we're all fascists haunting the streets in search of fresh Russian blood and body, we chew them up and spit out their bones.....:ROFL: Well, you get the idea.

Good piece in The (not Moscow-based anymore) Moscow Times to cheer you up

------

Putin Always Chooses Escalation

Over the last few weeks, we have spoken to 15 civil servants, parliamentary deputies, and executives at public and private companies. More than half were senior managers. All of our sources in the elite — who all spoke on the condition of anonymity — said the military conflict will only escalate in the coming months. Yet none can predict what will happen if Russia loses.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/...alation-a78923

The way China and Turkey are increasing their influence in ex-USSR countries in detriment of Putin's influence means Putin already lost.

Ukraine is just the region where shots are fired and bombs are being dropped. However, the fight for power is happening everywhere.