3/ Whatever was successfully intercepted over Kyiv a short time ago, (unknown if it was a plane or ballistic missile), has fallen onto the city causing significant damage and fire.
BREAKING - CNN now reporting thay the explosion in the skies over Kyiv, was in fact a Ukraine Air Force Su27 that was intercepted by Russian Surface To Air missiles.
If Russia are able to control the skies over Kyiv, things are not good.
This is what the residents of Vasilkov can see. The fumes given off by that fire will be extremely toxic.
I'd you know anyone there or someone who can spread a message, tell them to shut all doors and windows or better still, if safe, get upwind of the fire.
Ukrainian President Zelensky: “We can’t lose the capital, Kyiv. Tonight will be more difficult than daytime. All prayers should be with our armed forces. The night will be difficult, very difficult”
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline has continued pumping Russian gas to Germany unabated.
Switching it off would plunge Europe into an immediate energy crisis.
Therefore, it's baffling why an alternative wasn't sought after the annexation of Crimea
Instead they built another pipeline.
A new German Chancellor isn't going to voluntarily plunge his country into an energy crisis
Germany's Russian gas reliance is entirely on them, Merkel especially. For 8 years there's been fears Russia would invade Ukraine, but they laughed it off.
They're now a hostage to Putin
It is however telling that Merkel leaves office and not a few months later Russia invades Ukraine.
It may be that Putin feared Angela Merkel would cut all ties, whereas a weakened Scholz won't, so he waited.
It could be a coincidence. Either way, Europe is in a quandary.