1) It appears that the majority in the areas invaded WANT to be Russian, not Ukrainian and 2) I don't trust the media at all and this one sided agenda (except for Hitchens) worries me.

This appears to be a full scale invasion of Ukraine, even accepting (which I do) the western media bias on this; I don't believe the majority of Ukranians wish to be Russian. But yes what is so worrying is that the scripts are being set in stone. China has just come out in support of Putin citing US aggression....

Not a full scale invasion according to Russian media. Equally exaggerating, I reckon, as the West. But "peace keeping" an area which wants to be Russian makes sense. As does protecting the NON Russian areas. But this one sided story (on both sides) is unacceptable.

You see - if it IS a full scale invasion I think everyone apart from Russia would agree it's wrong. If it is simply Russia backing the two small independent states (as they claim) and media are lying to us, then I'm really worried. Explosions in the major cities COULD be terrorist separatists or even Ukrainians trying to win the propaganda war. Media should find out and tell us. Not just obey the "Great Story" of the invasion.

I see "photos" that could be anywhere. I hear of deaths that could be anywhere. I don't trust Russia. I don't trust media. I don't trust Ukraine. Who cares? Unless it escalates which, like stupid Covid, it probably will. Expect photos of dying children, shot in a Muswell Hill hospital ward, to be on tonight's news with "Today in Kviyivy".

Unfortunately China & Iran for two seem to support Putin's actions - by the way it is escalating I think it will be clear by the end of the day this is a full not regional invasion. I think this will turn into a full European (at least) war. We just have to hope it does not go nuclear. And of course there are many other ways they can target us from chemical to cyber. Johnson is now saying it can't be allowed to succeed and has mentioned military intervention. If Europe is going to fight it needs to go in now, fully, rather than let Putin gain any more ground. I think you are over egging media on this one anyway JK. Yes they will manipulate but that doesn't mean this horror isn't happening as well.