After watching the United Nations security council meeting from Jan. 31st, I kept thinking about the Russian speaker asking how we know how many troops are massed at the border. He was very indignant. So, I got to thinking...Belarus has 46,000 - 48,000 military people in their army. Any part of that number would be a substantial backup for Putin's aims.

So, I wonder what the true number of waiting troops really is, and what Lukashenko and Putin are really discussing today.

An interesting listen:

Russia put up a pontoon bridge over a river four miles from the Ukraine border, overnight. They also constructed roads. I don't know much if anything about pontoon bridges other than they are portable. Can you leave them in place forever, or do they require maintenance?

They aren't withdrawing. Still no satellite images showing them making a big effort to leave. Rather, they are increasing their presence.

I appreciate them very much.

Nobody has said a damn thing about the support that Lukashenko is giving to Russia. If they come across the border from Belarus, that shows that he supports Putin. Which, we know he does, but he will involve his own country in these sham "war games." And, if Putin strikes against Ukraine from their soil, then Belarus will be involved as an ally of Russia.

I wonder if diplomacy has been exercised with Belarus? Has there been a shuttle of diplomats pleading with him to stop Russia? 'Cause, that country needs to be included in the sanctions, if they help Russia to invade Ukraine. I wonder if they realize that.

Because Lithuania recently requested a permanent garrison of US troops within their borders (same as Poland did,) I realized that I did not know where in hell Lithuania actually is in the milieu of countries threatened by Russia.

So, I ran across this:

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-suspends-lithuanian-beef-imports-taiwan-row-grows-2022-02-10/

I had no idea. I did note that Taiwan has stepped up its imports of rum from Lithuania in order to make up for the decrease in trade. What does Lithuanian Rum taste like? I like Rum in my cakes, and having just decided to try baking rum cakes (having not done so well with bread,) I want to keep abreast of my options.

I guess they started their war games on time today (Thursday the tenth.)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-news-war-games-belarus-nato-warns-putin-against-invasion/

Everyone is nervous. I couldn't find what the Russian Navy is currently doing. They should have concluded their live fire exercise by now, but didn't hear a word about it. So, are they now doing it?

These games are supposed to continue for 10 days, ending coincidentally with the end of the Olympics, but not the Paralympics.

Meanwhile, the Russians are teasing with notice that since we pulled our embassy people, maybe that indicates that WE are planning something. Piss off, Russia. This is completely YOUR fault. History will remember this crap.

Praying for peace. Let the asshole Putin finish his games and go home. He better not cross the border.

I still have dreams of world peace, prosperity, and happiness. But, today I'm kinda teary eyed. Ukraine doesn't deserve this.

I'm counting them for my birthday last weekend, too! Thank you so much!

Just a bit: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/russian-warship-flotilla-spotted-off-norway-probably-bound-for-irish-coast-1.4786382

I say this because the American, French, British, and Norwegian navies are monitoring the Russians, while the Irish Navy is monitoring everybody. Exercises are supposed to start Tuesday.

And, yeah, they are saying that the Russians are parked over transatlantic cables, ready to cut them. They hope to stay beyond Ireland's EEZ while staying near the edge of the continental shelf, where it will be easier to cut them. There are some heavy duty naval stuff up there on both sides. Cutting those cables would probably spark a naval battle. I'm just guessing there.

Russian practice with live fire is supposed to last from something like the 3rd to the 8th, but we are past the 3rd, and they said it would start on Tuesday. So....?

And, let's not forget the air traffic overhead.

So, if Russia cut the cables, doesn't that hurt them, too? How are they going to call up Trump, then?