"He might have no reason to trust the West but why would he think Russia is at risk from attack?"
I'm not sure he does - at least as far as a military attack is concerned. But let's remind ourselves of what has changed since the late 1980s. Poland and Hungary ditched communism in 1989. Eastern Germany, a hard-line exponent of communism and where Putin once served, was absorbed into democratic Western Germany in 1990. A glance at the map will show the huge reduction in the size of the sphere of Russian influence.
Communism collapsed in Russia in 1991. The rot, as you might you wish to call it if you were an old-school Russian, spread from the West. Russia became a craven and wretched country under ineffectual leaders (remember Yeltsin?).
The fact that Ukraine, right on Russia's doorstep, started to look towards NATO, was too much. And Russia has plenty of sympathisers in Ukraine, thanks to the mess created at the end of WW2.
As has been said above, Putin wants to prove himself as a tough leader and to demonstrate Russia is back.
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| The Ukraine - Volume 1 |
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Zero |
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25 Jan 22 10:12 |
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 The Ukraine, |
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sooty123 |
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25 Jan 22 18:18 |
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  The Ukraine, |
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zippy |
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25 Jan 22 22:59 |
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 The Ukraine, |
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Rudedog |
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26 Jan 22 07:13 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Rudedog |
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26 Jan 22 08:00 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Zero |
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26 Jan 22 08:37 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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sooty123 |
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26 Jan 22 09:38 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Rudedog |
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26 Jan 22 10:04 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Manatee |
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26 Jan 22 10:29 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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sooty123 |
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26 Jan 22 10:42 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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sooty123 |
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26 Jan 22 10:37 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Terry |
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26 Jan 22 11:04 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Fullchat |
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26 Jan 22 12:16 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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neiltoo |
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26 Jan 22 13:00 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Dog |
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26 Jan 22 13:18 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Zero |
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26 Jan 22 16:22 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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henry k |
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11 Feb 22 10:26 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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sherlock47 |
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11 Feb 22 10:41 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Bromptonaut |
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11 Feb 22 11:06 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Zero |
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11 Feb 22 11:11 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Zero |
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11 Feb 22 11:15 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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sherlock47 |
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11 Feb 22 12:01 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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bathtub tom |
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11 Feb 22 12:46 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Zero |
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11 Feb 22 12:56 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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legacylad |
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11 Feb 22 15:22 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Bromptonaut |
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11 Feb 22 12:57 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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zippy |
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11 Feb 22 13:06 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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Dog |
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11 Feb 22 13:17 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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sooty123 |
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11 Feb 22 13:04 |
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| Ukraine |
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CGNorwich |
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11 Feb 22 16:42 |
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| Ukraine |
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Biggles |
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11 Feb 22 17:57 |
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| Ukraine |
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BiggerBadderDave |
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11 Feb 22 17:59 |
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| Ukraine |
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CGNorwich |
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11 Feb 22 18:21 |
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| Ukraine |
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Biggles |
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11 Feb 22 22:00 |
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| Ukraine |
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CGNorwich |
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11 Feb 22 22:09 |
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| Ukraine |
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Zero |
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11 Feb 22 21:32 |
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| Ukraine |
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Rudedog |
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12 Feb 22 09:34 |
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| Ukraine |
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sooty123 |
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12 Feb 22 11:08 |
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| The Ukraine, |
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smokie |
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13 Feb 22 09:18 |
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| Wirral |
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bathtub tom |
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11 Feb 22 22:58 |
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| Wirral |
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Stuartli |
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12 Feb 22 00:38 |
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| Wirral |
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Bromptonaut |
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12 Feb 22 07:47 |
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| Wirral |
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Zero |
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12 Feb 22 08:19 |
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| Wirral |
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sooty123 |
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12 Feb 22 09:21 |
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| Wirral |
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CGNorwich |
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12 Feb 22 10:47 |
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| Wirral |
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James Loveless |
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12 Feb 22 00:41 |
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| Wirral |
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martin aston |
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13 Feb 22 16:03 |
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| Wirral |
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Biggles |
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13 Feb 22 18:18 |
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| Wirral |
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sooty123 |
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13 Feb 22 19:09 |
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| Wirral |
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CGNorwich |
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13 Feb 22 19:22 |
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| Wirral |
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tyrednemotional |
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13 Feb 22 19:33 |
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| Wirral |
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Rudedog |
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13 Feb 22 20:11 |
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| Wirral |
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Biggles |
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13 Feb 22 20:29 |
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| Wirral |
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CGNorwich |
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13 Feb 22 21:27 |
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| Wirral |
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CGNorwich |
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14 Feb 22 20:00 |
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| Wirral |
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zippy |
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15 Feb 22 13:53 |
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| Wirral |
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Manatee |
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15 Feb 22 14:14 |
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| Wirral |
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Bromptonaut |
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15 Feb 22 14:30 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanytsi.. |
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smokie |
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17 Feb 22 10:25 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyts.. |
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Terry |
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17 Feb 22 10:30 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyt.. |
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smokie |
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17 Feb 22 11:18 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyts.. |
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Zero |
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17 Feb 22 11:57 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyts.. |
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Duncan |
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17 Feb 22 13:36 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyt.. |
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Zero |
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17 Feb 22 14:08 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stany.. |
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smokie |
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17 Feb 22 14:44 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Sta.. |
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Zero |
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18 Feb 22 15:27 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near St.. |
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smokie |
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18 Feb 22 15:54 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near S.. |
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sooty123 |
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18 Feb 22 16:03 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near .. |
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Terry |
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18 Feb 22 17:55 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near.. |
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Lygonos |
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20 Feb 22 10:00 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire ne.. |
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CGNorwich |
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20 Feb 22 10:46 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire ne.. |
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sooty123 |
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20 Feb 22 11:00 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire n.. |
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Bromptonaut |
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20 Feb 22 11:11 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire .. |
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zippy |
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20 Feb 22 12:12 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire.. |
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Lygonos |
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20 Feb 22 12:43 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanytsi.. |
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Zero |
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20 Feb 22 12:59 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyts.. |
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Lygonos |
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20 Feb 22 13:19 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyt.. |
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Zero |
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20 Feb 22 13:31 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stanyt.. |
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James Loveless |
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20 Feb 22 13:41 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stany.. |
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Manatee |
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20 Feb 22 13:56 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Stany.. |
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Zero |
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20 Feb 22 16:13 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Sta.. |
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CGNorwich |
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20 Feb 22 17:06 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire near Sta.. |
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James Loveless |
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20 Feb 22 20:00 |
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| Occupiers violate ceasefire .. |
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sooty123 |
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20 Feb 22 19:22 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
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Bromptonaut |
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20 Feb 22 13:36 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
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Zero |
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20 Feb 22 16:10 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
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Bromptonaut |
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20 Feb 22 16:29 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
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Terry |
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20 Feb 22 16:53 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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20 Feb 22 17:07 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
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Fursty Ferret |
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20 Feb 22 18:49 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad?.. |
|
Terry |
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21 Feb 22 16:29 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad.. |
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Manatee |
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21 Feb 22 17:50 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningra.. |
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sooty123 |
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21 Feb 22 18:43 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningr.. |
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Manatee |
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21 Feb 22 22:13 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalinin.. |
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Lygonos |
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21 Feb 22 22:26 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalini.. |
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sooty123 |
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21 Feb 22 22:52 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalin.. |
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Zero |
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21 Feb 22 23:13 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningra.. |
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Zero |
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21 Feb 22 22:33 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningr.. |
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Bobby |
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21 Feb 22 22:42 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalinin.. |
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sooty123 |
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21 Feb 22 22:50 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalini.. |
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Ted |
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21 Feb 22 23:07 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalin.. |
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Duncan |
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22 Feb 22 07:54 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kali.. |
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Zero |
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22 Feb 22 08:25 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
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legacylad |
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22 Feb 22 08:34 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 08:37 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
CGNorwich |
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22 Feb 22 08:34 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 09:03 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Duncan |
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22 Feb 22 09:10 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 09:12 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 09:31 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
sooty123 |
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22 Feb 22 10:52 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 12:50 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad?.. |
|
sooty123 |
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22 Feb 22 13:05 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad.. |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 13:47 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningra.. |
|
sooty123 |
|
22 Feb 22 14:07 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningr.. |
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Bromptonaut |
|
22 Feb 22 15:14 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalinin.. |
|
sooty123 |
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22 Feb 22 15:29 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalini.. |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 15:44 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalini.. |
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Bromptonaut |
|
22 Feb 22 15:51 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kalin.. |
|
sooty123 |
|
22 Feb 22 16:46 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad.. |
|
Terry |
|
22 Feb 22 13:55 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningra.. |
|
Zero |
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22 Feb 22 17:06 |
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| |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
sooty123 |
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24 Feb 22 06:23 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Bromptonaut |
|
24 Feb 22 06:36 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
sooty123 |
|
24 Feb 22 06:59 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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24 Feb 22 09:16 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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24 Feb 22 09:17 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
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24 Feb 22 11:16 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Lygonos |
|
24 Feb 22 11:25 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Kevin |
|
24 Feb 22 11:54 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Robin O'Reliant |
|
24 Feb 22 13:45 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
CGNorwich |
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24 Feb 22 13:50 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad?.. |
|
Robin O'Reliant |
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24 Feb 22 15:53 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
tyrednemotional |
|
24 Feb 22 22:51 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Bobby |
|
24 Feb 22 18:39 |
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| The Ukraine - Next Up Kaliningrad? |
|
Zero |
|
24 Feb 22 19:02 |
|
| The Ukraine, |
|
Manatee |
|
24 Feb 22 13:53 |
|
| The Ukraine, |
|
Terry |
|
24 Feb 22 15:46 |
|
| The Ukraine, |
|
zippy |
|
24 Feb 22 17:15 |
|
| The Ukraine, |
|
Manatee |
|
24 Feb 22 17:17 |
|
| Invasion of Ukraine |
|
sooty123 |
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24 Feb 22 17:52 |
|
| Invasion of Ukraine |
|
zippy |
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24 Feb 22 18:20 |
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| Invasion of Ukraine |
|
sooty123 |
|
24 Feb 22 18:42 |
|
| The Ukraine, |
|
James Loveless |
|
24 Feb 22 18:00 |
|
| The Ukraine, |
|
Manatee |
|
24 Feb 22 19:49 |
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