Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #7

[sds71]

@nytimes

Two Ukrainian helicopters crossed into Russian territory and fired on an oil depot in the city of Belgorod, injuring two people, a regional governor said. It is the first Ukrainian airstrike Russia has reported on its territory since the start of the war. https://nyti.ms/3NEVow9


Kremlin says Ukraine strike on Russian fuel depot creates awkward backdrop for talks http://reut.rs/3iQME8e

 

[Charlot123]

It's downright diabolical isn't it. A whole nation, well at the least 83% according to that poll I mentioned, support what Putin is doing in Ukraine. 83% are not only ok with random Ukraines being murdered but also their nation's sons being slaughtered as well because they were ill-prepared, supplied and directed by the ones in charge.

What's the worst is when you hear the stories of mothers and fathers not believing their children in Ukraine when they tell them what's happening there to them, their own children!!?

AJMO

Well, in that country, since 1934, when the 17th congress of the Communist Party took place, whoever had the power, could draw the numbers. In 1934, more voices were cast for Kirov than for Stalin, but the head of the counting committee, Kaganovich, was Stalin’s nominee…

So while during the war, the country usually clusters around its leader, I can’t imagine that young people support Putin. Maybe they try to not participate in the polls.

 

[Charlot123]

Nasty stuff...

DESCRIPTION: Chloropicrin (PS) is used in agriculture as a soil fumigant. It has also been used as a chemical warfare agent (military designation, PS) and a riot control agent. It was used in large quantities during World War I and was stockpiled during World War II. However, it is no longer authorized for military use. Chloropicrin (PS) is an irritant with characteristics of a tear gas. Chloropicrin (PS) has an intensely irritating odor. Inhalation of 1 ppm causes eye irritation and can warn of exposure


Chloropicrin (PS): Lung Damaging Agent | NIOSH | CDC

You know, if the other poisoned guy, Rustem Umerov, posted in his FB, “I am OK, don’t read newspapers before morning coffee”…maybe it was not a joke, but a hint? At the vehicle?

You can not add chloropicrine to food because of horrible smell. On paper, though…

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Cancer surgeon ‘visited Putin 35 times in four years’ | News | The Times

I wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone, but if that’s what takes him out, that’s what takes him out.

Just realised it’s paywalled, so here’s another version. This one doesn’t mention the bit about him allegedly bathing in the blood from severed deer antlers

Putin 'is constantly followed by thyroid cancer doctor'

 

[mickey2942]

It seems to me that Russian people are not supportive of this war against Ukraine. Too bad they have a megalomaniac for a leader. Every day this war goes on, creates a vortex that may slowly become a firestorm.

 

[Sundog]

I am hoping that the negotiations went well today in Istanbul. It's 3:50 p.m. there now (in Istanbul, Moscow and Kyiv), so perhaps they are still in session. Hoping and praying for more progress today on that front.

 

[Charlot123]

Cancer surgeon ‘visited Putin 35 times in four years’ | News | The Times

I wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone, but if that’s what takes him out, that’s what takes him out.

Just realised it’s paywalled, so here’s another version. This one doesn’t mention the bit about him allegedly bathing in the blood from severed deer antlers

Putin 'is constantly followed by thyroid cancer doctor'

You know, for years, in Russian community, there were talks about Putin’s “double”. I usually don’t believe in conspiracies, nor did I believe in this case, but that long table got me curious…only I think of several body doubles.

Body doubles are neither uncommon, nor new. But I think that given long gossips about him being ill in the West, and about “a double” in Russia, it might be more convenient to look at “Putin” as the trademark of the Russian leader. We don’t know who is behind the decisions, nor why the policy changed so much in 2012. So I would not hope that an ailing leader will die, and things will change. They will change when the policymakers realize that Ukrainian mission is suicidal.

“Suicide” was the first word coming to my mind on February 24th when I got the news. But I am not in the country. Whoever makes the decisions, probably, the group, is inside, so they are inevitably looking at the situation from a very different angle.

Of course, catching oligarchs’ yachts is funny, but give or take, their money is invested outside the country. They are outside, too. For many of their kids, Russian is not the first language. The group that is inside is older and knows a lot about power. They are making the decisions.

 

[Charlot123]

Here is the joke about bombing Voronezh;


President Putin told the Federal Assembly:

- If the United States announces sanctions, then we will bomb ...

Lavrov calls Shoigu after the President's address to the meeting and says:

- Listen, Sergei, just do not hit New York, my daughter lives there.

Shoigu says:

- Yes, I know. Fursenko has already called about the United States. Then, Mizulina asked not to hit Belgium, Switzerland is obviously out of question, London, too…Peskov asked not to hit Paris, Medvedev reminded about Berlin. Then other pals called, the list is getting bigger and bigger. Damn! Listen, Lavrov, where to hit then in case of emergency?

- Mmm, well, why don’t you bomb Voronezh, there are definitely no kids of ours there.

 

[Sundog]

Annual report for 2021 published yesterday by NATO, shows that the majority of NATO countries still fail to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense and that the U.S. still accounts for over half of NATO’s GDP spending and 69% of total defense expenditures in 2021.

Majority of NATO nations fail to spend 2 percent GDP guideline for defense

... the report shows that the U.S. still accounted for just over half of the alliance's GDP spending and 69 percent of total defense expenditures in 2021. The report puts total NATO military spending for 2021 at $1 trillion.

The other countries that met the 2 percent threshold include the United Kingdom, Greece, Croatia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Germany spent 1.49 percent of its GDP on defense, putting it in the bottom 10 for spending despite having Europe's largest economy.

<snipped>

Canada ranked 25th in military spending at 1.36 percent of its GDP.

 

[PommyMommy]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 8 hrs ago
Ukraine’s military: 7 attacks repelled in Donetsk and Luhansk directions. According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, over the past 24 hours Ukraine’s military destroyed 3 tanks, 2 armored personnel carriers, 2 artillery systems and shot down an Orlan-10 drone.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 6 hrs ago
Ukraine's General Staff: Russian troops partially withdraw from northern Kyiv Oblast towards Belarus. The General Staff also said on April 1 that Russian forces are withdrawing civilian transport and other property that they have stolen.

NEXTA on Twitter - 6 hrs ago
#Australia is going to send Bushmaster armored personnel carriers to #Ukraine. It is noted that the decision to send military equipment was made after Vladimir #Zelenskyy's speech to the Australian government via video link on March 31.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 4 hrs ago
Media: Putin surrounded by doctors, including thyroid cancer specialist. He traveled with five doctors on average in 2016-2017, according to an investigation by Project, a Russian media outlet. Putin has also expressed interest in alternative medicine.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Ukrainian air forces stress: Air superiority is the deciding factor in this war. Russia’s air force is many times larger with better technologies. Ukrainians also have lost planes, equipment. The need for fighter jets and air defense tools only grows. Stingers can't replace it.

NEXTA on Twitter
The talks between #Russia and #Ukraine will continue today, April 1, in the format of a video communication.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Russia starts spring draft for its armed forces amid invasion of Ukraine. Russia expects to draft 134,500 conscripts aged 18 to 27 by July 15. Russian authorities had previously used conscripts for the aggression against Ukraine and had to admit it.

NEXTA on Twitter - 2 hrs ago
Mikhail Podolyak, adviser to the #Ukrainian presidential office, announced the beginning of a new round of #Russian-Ukrainian talks They are held via videoconference.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Russia's FM Sergei Lavrov: Russia preparing its response to Ukraine's peace proposals. Lavrov also said on April 1 that "progress" had been made in negotiations on neutral status for Ukraine and the status of Russian-occupied Crimea and Donbas.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Up to 2000 fighters from the Russian-occupied part of Georgia are being reorganized to be deployed in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces conducted several local counterattacks. No indicators of Russian forces fully relinquishing captured territory in the north.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter - 35 min ago
This map from @Nrg8000 shows settlements confirmed recaptured today (blue) and yesterday (yellow). The siege of Chernihiv is also lifted. Russian forces around Kyiv are retreating, leaving behind wrecked armor and possibly trapped pockets of troops as the Ukrainian army advances

 

[Bit of hope]

@nytimes

Two Ukrainian helicopters crossed into Russian territory and fired on an oil depot in the city of Belgorod, injuring two people, a regional governor said. It is the first Ukrainian airstrike Russia has reported on its territory since the start of the war. https://nyti.ms/3NEVow9


Kremlin says Ukraine strike on Russian fuel depot creates awkward backdrop for talks http://reut.rs/3iQME8e

If it wasn't so very very sad I would have a big laugh about the last quote. They must be missing some brain cells over there, big time.

 

[Sundog]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 8 hrs ago
Ukraine’s military: 7 attacks repelled in Donetsk and Luhansk directions. According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, over the past 24 hours Ukraine’s military destroyed 3 tanks, 2 armored personnel carriers, 2 artillery systems and shot down an Orlan-10 drone.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 6 hrs ago
Ukraine's General Staff: Russian troops partially withdraw from northern Kyiv Oblast towards Belarus. The General Staff also said on April 1 that Russian forces are withdrawing civilian transport and other property that they have stolen.

NEXTA on Twitter - 6 hrs ago
#Australia is going to send Bushmaster armored personnel carriers to #Ukraine. It is noted that the decision to send military equipment was made after Vladimir #Zelenskyy's speech to the Australian government via video link on March 31.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 4 hrs ago
Media: Putin surrounded by doctors, including thyroid cancer specialist. He traveled with five doctors on average in 2016-2017, according to an investigation by Project, a Russian media outlet. Putin has also expressed interest in alternative medicine.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Ukrainian air forces stress: Air superiority is the deciding factor in this war. Russia’s air force is many times larger with better technologies. Ukrainians also have lost planes, equipment. The need for fighter jets and air defense tools only grows. Stingers can't replace it.

NEXTA on Twitter
The talks between #Russia and #Ukraine will continue today, April 1, in the format of a video communication.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Russia starts spring draft for its armed forces amid invasion of Ukraine. Russia expects to draft 134,500 conscripts aged 18 to 27 by July 15. Russian authorities had previously used conscripts for the aggression against Ukraine and had to admit it.

NEXTA on Twitter - 2 hrs ago
Mikhail Podolyak, adviser to the #Ukrainian presidential office, announced the beginning of a new round of #Russian-Ukrainian talks They are held via videoconference.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Russia's FM Sergei Lavrov: Russia preparing its response to Ukraine's peace proposals. Lavrov also said on April 1 that "progress" had been made in negotiations on neutral status for Ukraine and the status of Russian-occupied Crimea and Donbas.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Up to 2000 fighters from the Russian-occupied part of Georgia are being reorganized to be deployed in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces conducted several local counterattacks. No indicators of Russian forces fully relinquishing captured territory in the north.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter - 35 min ago
This map from @Nrg8000 shows settlements confirmed recaptured today (blue) and yesterday (yellow). The siege of Chernihiv is also lifted. Russian forces around Kyiv are retreating, leaving behind wrecked armor and possibly trapped pockets of troops as the Ukrainian army advances

Glad to see this, hope it is the case that progress had been made.

Russia's FM Sergei Lavrov: Russia preparing its response to Ukraine's peace proposals. Lavrov also said on April 1 that "progress" had been made in negotiations on neutral status for Ukraine and the status of Russian-occupied Crimea and Donbas.

 

[PommyMommy]

Russia-Ukraine war latest: explosion at oil depot in Russia; battles being fought near Kyiv, says mayor – live | World news | The Guardian

3h ago 06:53
Speaking to reporters today, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said the alleged Ukrainian strike on a Russian fuel depot in Belgorod does not create comfortable conditions to continue peace talks.

3h ago 07:16
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said he could not confirm or deny Ukraine’s alleged involvement in a strike on a fuel depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, Reuters reports.

"I can neither confirm nor reject the claim that Ukraine was involved in this simply because I do not possess all the military information."

3h ago 07:21
Around 2,000 evacuated civilians from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol besieged by Russian forces appear to be on their way to safety, according to reports from the city’s city council.

Several private cars joined 42 buses escorted by the Red Cross and Ukrainian emergency services vehicles from nearby Berdyansk to the safer Ukranian-held city of Zaporizhia, Mariupol city council’s Telegram channel posted on Friday, along with a photo and video of the convoy.

2h ago 07:56
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said he will tell Vladimir Putin that he and Volodymyr Zelenskiy need to take a step to address issues over Ukraine’s Donbas region and Crimea, Reuters reports.

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Erdoğan said he will hold a phone call with Putin at 1pm GMT and renew an offer to host the Russian and Ukrainian leaders for peace talks.

2h ago 08:11
The mayor of Chernihiv, Vladyslav Atroshenko, has accused Russia of shelling an oncology ward of a hospital in the northern Ukrainian city, days after Russia promised it would “drastically reduce” its military assault on Kyiv and Chernihiv.

"Some shells hit the regional hospital direct, and one of the buildings of the hospital, in fact the oncological unit, was completely destroyed. Three people sustained heavy injuries."

1h ago 08:37
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitaliy Klitschko, said “huge” battles are being fought to the north and east of Ukraine’s capital, Reuters reports.

Klitschko issued a warning to residents who have fled the city:

The risk of dying (in Kyiv) is pretty high, and that’s why my advice to anyone who wants to come back is: Please, take a little bit more time.

Kyiv’s regional governor said earlier today that Russian forces were pulling back in some areas around the capital but strengthening its positions in others.

It comes after an adviser to President Zelenskiy, Oleksiy Arestovych, said Ukrainian forces are pushing back Russian troops north-east and north-west of Kyiv.

49m ago 09:17
There’s been a strong diplomatic signal of Indian support for Russia today, with the news that as well as meeting foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the trip of Russia’s foreign minister Sergie Lavrov to India has included a meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi. Modi has pointedly not met with any of the varying other foreign ministers who have visited India in the last couple of weeks while the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been progressing.

 

[Bit of hope]

The mayor of Chernihiv, Vladyslav Atroshenko, has accused Russia of shelling an oncology ward of a hospital in the northern Ukrainian city, days after Russia promised it would “drastically reduce” its military assault on Kyiv and Chernihiv.

Does not create comfortable conditions to continue peace talks!

The mayor of Kyiv, Vitaliy Klitschko, said “huge” battles are being fought to the north and east of Ukraine’s capital, Reuters reports.

Does not create comfortable conditions to continue peace talks!

etc. etc.

 

[Bit of hope]

Kremlin: 'Aanval oliedepot hindert vredesbesprekingen' • Oekraïne: 11 dorpen heroverd in Cherson <Kremlin: 'Oil depot attack hinders peace talks' • Ukraine: 11 villages recaptured in Kherson>

Russia and Ukraine are negotiating online again

Ukraine and Russia continued peace talks online today. On Tuesday, delegations from Russia and Ukraine were in Istanbul to discuss the war.

After the talks on Tuesday, both parties expressed a cautious positive attitude. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky spoke of a "constructive meeting" and Ukrainian negotiator Mychailo Podoljak said enough progress had been made to arrange a meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky. According to Russia, this only makes sense if there is more or less an agreement.

The Kremlin also said today that the possible Ukrainian attack on a fuel depot in Belgorod creates " uncomfortable conditions " for the progress of peace talks.

 

[Bit of hope]

Kremlin: 'Aanval oliedepot hindert vredesbesprekingen' • Oekraïne: 11 dorpen heroverd in Cherson <Kremlin: 'Oil depot attack hinders peace talks' • Ukraine: 11 villages recaptured in Kherson>

5 HOURS AGO
Ukrainian troops: 11 villages recaptured in Kherson
Ukrainian forces say they have recaptured 11 villages in the southern Kherson region in recent days. Russia previously claimed to control the entire area.

During the advance in the north of the Kherson region, the Ukrainian army is said to have found abandoned Russian military equipment, including T-64 tanks. The local population has been given food and medicine, local authorities say.

Earlier this week, Russia announced that the "military operation" from this week is aimed at the "liberation" of the self-declared people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.

The separatists in the so-called People's Republics of Donetsk (DNR) and Lugansk (LNR) control only part of the two provinces of the same name, but claim the entire territory.

 

[Bit of hope]

Kremlin: 'Aanval oliedepot hindert vredesbesprekingen' • Oekraïne: 11 dorpen heroverd in Cherson <Kremlin: 'Oil depot attack hinders peace talks' • Ukraine: 11 villages recaptured in Kherson>

'Russian troops not completely withdrawn from Chernihiv, Chernobyl'

Although Russian troops are withdrawing from the Chernihiv region in northern Ukraine, they have not yet completely left. The local governor said this in a video address on Friday. "Air and missile strikes are (still) possible in the region, no one is ruling this out," the director said.

He added that Ukrainian military personnel have secured sites previously held by Russian forces. According to the governor, Ukrainian troops in the region must remain vigilant, as there are "Russian military personnel still on our territory". Russia announced earlier this week that operations in the Chernihiv and Kiev regions will be scaled down.

In Chernobyl there are also Russian troops in the so-called 'exclusion zone', the area within a radius of 30 kilometers around the nuclear power plant. The head of the Ukrainian agency responsible for that zone has confirmed on national television that Russian troops have left the factory itself.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) previously reported that Russian armed forces "have handed over in writing" the Chernobyl nuclear power plant to Ukrainian personnel. The agency cannot confirm that Russian troops contracted radiation sickness on the Chernobyl site.

 

[Charlot123]

This is always concerning … makes me wonder if the war has reached its peak yet

Russia Travel Advisory.

 

[Bit of hope]

This is always concerning … makes me wonder if the war has reached its peak yet

Russia Travel Advisory.

According to new outlets (regrouping, drafting etc.) ...IMO there is just a "relative" silence before the storm...no end in sight.

 

[Bit of hope]

This is from “the real Russia”, a blog by Russian/Georgian writer Akunin (Boris Chatrchisvili) on Telegram. He started this blog, together with other known Russian writers and poets, who are against the war.


“The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law providing for the establishment of material rewards for the transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine of military equipment suitable for use by Russian invaders. The reward is expected both for the military of the Russian Federation and for citizens of Ukraine.

It is envisaged to establish remuneration for military personnel of the armed forces, other power structures of the Russian Federation, as well as military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, other structures of the Ukrainian security and defense sector, citizens for voluntarily transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, suitable for use, military equipment of the aggressor state in the following amounts:

- combat aircraft (fighter and attack aircraft) - $1,000,000;

- combat helicopter - $500,000;

- multiple launch rocket system - 25,000 - 35,000 dollars;

- tank, ground artillery (self-propelled) - $100,000;

- an infantry fighting vehicle (landing), an armored personnel carrier, an armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle - $50,000;

- a military vehicle (truck, specialized), a military tractor, military engineering vehicles: reconnaissance, demining, minefields, bridge-laying, barriers, for laying paths, for earthmoving, for overcoming water obstacles - $ 10,000;

- ship of the 1st or 2nd rank - 1,000,000 dollars;

- ship of 3rd or 4th rank - 500,000 dollars;

- military (auxiliary) support vessel - $200,000;

- a small-sized combat (reconnaissance) vessel - $50,000.”

Sorry...I read through the intro a few times...but I can't grasp it...what is this list in Layman's terms?