Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022

[Betty P]

Path to Ukraine invasion was long and full of warnings | king5.com
[...]

In the conflict’s earliest days, each side has managed to surprise the other. Russia unleashed a broader, larger invasion than almost anyone had predicted. And Ukraine, at least by U.S. and other Western accounts, has put up a more tenacious fight than many thought possible against the neighboring superpower. Fortunes can turn at any moment.

“It’s not apparent to us that the Russians over the last 24 hours have been able to execute their plans as they deemed that they would. But it’s a dynamic, fluid situation,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Friday.

And so it has been for much of the past year. Russia alternately added and subtracted troops along the border, diplomacy seemed to make progress until it didn’t, Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed restrained, then not, then maybe, then not.

[...]

It was back on March 31 of last year when the U.S. military raised an alert of a “potential imminent crisis” arising from Russian drills near the Ukrainian border. Not long after, Russian troops were ordered back to their permanent bases and the sense of alarm eased.

But those orders also required Russian troops to leave their heavy weaponry in Crimea and the Voronezh region bordering Ukraine, where it would already be in place if the forces returned — which they did. ...

[...]

The warnings from the Biden administration grew more pointed, and for the first time, U.S. intelligence officials started sharing specifics with Zelenskyy, European officials and eventually the public.

The White House realized that it was looking at the beginnings of what would probably turn into an enormous crisis by October. Officials were seeing a cascade of worrying intelligence strains, including troop movements, that suggested that Putin was looking to move on Ukraine.

[...]

In early December, national security officials shared information from an intelligence document with the press showing at least 70,000 Russian troops had massed near the Ukraine border. Much of the information could be gleaned independently but White House officials thought it was crucial to get the information out in the open “with U.S. government branding.”

[...]

At NATO, Germany blocked efforts to help Ukraine acquire military equipment. France and Germany objected to launching NATO’s crisis management system, but eventually relented at a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Latvia on Dec. 1. The move was essentially symbolic. The system is used to identify whether there is a crisis and launch preliminary planning to respond.

[...]

With some satisfaction, Putin said the military buildup has caused a “certain stress” in the West. “It’s necessary to keep them in that condition for as long as possible” to secure long-term security guarantees for Russia, he added.

He laid down his demands on Dec. 15: a ban on NATO membership for Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations, a halt to the deployment of NATO weapons in those countries and a rollback of NATO forces from Eastern Europe. Meanwhile Russian troops kept arriving in Belarus to Ukraine’s north and on its eastern frontiers where heavy weaponry had been stockpiled since the spring.

[...]

... On Jan. 10, Russia’s deputy foreign minister insisted there were “no plans, intentions or reasons to attack Ukraine.”

The U.S. did not believe it.

Two days later, the United States and NATO rejected Russia’s demands, and the movement of troops and weapons accelerated. Ukrainian government websites went down en masse, many displaying a warning from the suspected Russian-linked hackers: “Be afraid and expect worse.”

[...]

On Feb. 4, Putin flew to Beijing, ostensibly for the Olympic Games although Russian athletes were banned from competing under their nation’s flag because of years of doping scandals. He and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their support for each other’s foreign policy, including Russia’s backing of China’s claim to Taiwan.

The unspoken message: These two world powers were on the same page or a similar page, and China would not stand with most of the rest of the world against Putin’s designs on Ukraine.

[...]

On Feb. 16, a Wednesday, Ukraine held a “day of national unity” after a date floated as the potential Russian attack failed to materialize. Russia’s ambassador to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, accused Westerners of “slander” for alleging an invasion was afoot and joined other Russian officials in ridiculing Biden’s prediction that it could start as soon as that Wednesday. “Wars in Europe rarely start on a Wednesday,” Chizhov said sarcastically.

[...]

The attack began before dawn on Feb. 24 — Thursday in Ukraine but, as it happens, still Wednesday in Washington.

It opened with the firing of more than 100 land- and sea-based missiles in the first hours, said a senior U.S. official who was not authorized to be identified and spoke on condition of anonymity. The official said the main targets of the air assault were barracks, ammunition warehouses, and 10 airfields. Russian ground forces began moving in from Belarus around noon.

[...]

In an impassioned speech, Zelenskyy implored his people to be firm in their resistance.

“This morning we are defending our state alone, as we did yesterday,” he said. “The world’s most powerful forces are watching from afar. Did yesterday’s sanctions convince Russia? We hear in our sky and see on our earth that this is not enough.”

[...]

The US must be monitoring the Russians' communications. Very effectively. They're doing more than just observing military movements via satellites. JMO

 

[Bit of hope]

Is anyone else really anxious about opening the news website? I’m scared to read that Kiev has fallen and President of Ukraine has been captured or killed.

Me too.

 

[PommyMommy]

Sjoerd Wiemer Sjoerdsma on Twitter
The Netherlands will be supplying Ukraine with 50 Panzerfaust-3 anti-tankweapons with 400 rockets. #StandWithUkraine

Kajsa Ollongren on Twitter
Nederland stuurt meer militaire goederen naar Oekraïne ter verdediging tegen de Russische agressie. We leveren nu ook 50 Panzerfaust-3 antitankwapens met 400 raketten. Samen met Duitsland onderzoeken we de mogelijkheid om Patriots te leveren aan de @NATO Battlegroup in Slowakije.

Translated from Dutch by Google:
The Netherlands is sending more military goods to Ukraine to defend against Russian aggression. We now also supply 50 Panzerfaust-3 anti-tank weapons with 400 missiles. Together with Germany, we are investigating the possibility of supplying Patriots to the @NATO Battlegroup in Slovakia.


Володимир Зеленський on Twitter (President Zelensky of Ukraine)
Germany has just announced the provision of anti-tank grenade launchers and stinger missiles to Ukraine. Keep it up, Chancellor @OlafScholz
! Anti-war coalition in action!

Alex Raufoglu on Twitter
Germany will deliver anti-tank weapons and missiles to Ukraine #StandWithUkriane

@cybervampira, if you are reading here please know that I am thinking of you and praying for you and your family as well as all Websleuther's here near to this horrific event. I am still missing you!

 

[Bit of hope]

Is anyone else really anxious about opening the news website? I’m scared to read that Kiev has fallen and President of Ukraine has been captured or killed.

Me too.

 

[Bit of hope]

Almost at a point that I want to go there and fight with the Ukrainians...but that is not realistic...I'm a 59 years old/young woman....never touched a weapon in my life..let alone use it. Just saw brave people throwing themselves for a Russian tank.....glad they stopped, but still. This is the moment...my tears are coming....feeling totally helpless. In the mean time....hoping so very much my only son is going into the detox coming Monday...It's an emotional mess right now.

 

[dotr]

Maybe they should pull everything except "Borat" imo.
03 January 2022
Russian Telecom Watchdog to Force Netflix Streaming to 20-State Owned TV Channels on March
"Russia is reportedly controlling Netflix streaming to select channels across the country. Roskomnadzor, the internet and telecom watchdog, will be requiring the streaming platform to roll out 20 state-owned channels in the next two months''

 

[PommyMommy]

Ukraine invasion: Kyiv imposes curfew amid sabotage fears - BBC News
The mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, has ordered citizens to stay indoors until Monday morning as Russian forces close in on the city.

A curfew imposed at 15:00 GMT on Saturday is to stay in force until 06:00 GMT on Monday.

All those venturing out "will be considered members of sabotage groups of the enemy", authorities warned.

[...]

[...]

According to US sources, Russia has so far fired more than 250 missiles, mostly short-range, at Ukrainian targets, some of which have hit civilian infrastructure.

[...]

In other developments:

• Ukraine says it has repulsed an attack on the northern city of Kharkiv after heavy fighting, but shelling of Okhtyrka nearby has caused many casualties
• The invasion has so far killed 198 Ukrainians, the health minister says
• Russia says it has captured the city of Melitopol in the south
• The UN estimates that 120,000 people have fled Ukraine in the past 48 hours
• French police have impounded a Russian-flagged cargo ship suspected of breaching sanctions imposed because of the Ukraine war
• Germany has approved delivery of 1,000 anti-tank rocket weapons to Ukraine, in a change to its long-standing policy of banning weapon exports to conflict zones.

[...]

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale says Russia has also not used its artillery and air strikes as intensively as expected.

However, our correspondent adds that it is normal for militaries to keep reserves as they adjust plans. Russia may need them for later phases of the invasion, he says.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Grand Rapids bar stops selling Russian vodka over Ukraine invasion (clickondetroit.com)

‘It’s what I can do,’ bar owner says

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A bar in Western Michigan has decided to remove Russian vodka from its shelves in a stance against the nation’s invasion of bordering neighbor Ukraine.

Bob’s Bar in Grand Rapids posted on Facebook Thursday that the bar will no longer sell Russian vodka, citing Russia’s recent attack on former Soviet nation Ukraine...

 

[Fika]

Me too.

Almost at a point that I want to go there and fight with the Ukrainians...but that is not realistic...I'm a 59 years old/young woman....Just saw brave people throwing themselves for a Russian tank.....glad they stopped, but still. This is the moment...my tears are coming....feeling totally helpless. In the mean time....hoping so very much my only son is going into the detox coming Monday...It's an emotional mess right now.

Omhelzing!!! I feel the same and my bf too and my friends too and my family too . It’s hard to watch people suffering begging for help and doing nothing. It’s not in my nature to sit trough other people suffering that is not what feels moral to me. I feel like I could go there and fight. I wouldn’t be much of help. I suffer from morality point of view. It just feels so wrong to do nothing. I dont want war of course but I hate to turn my head around and just wave the flag..

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
Brad Hunter Feb 25, 202
PUTIN'S SECRET ARMY: Mercenaries accused of global atrocities | Toronto Sun
''The Wagner Group sounds like a plodding wealth management firm located in a strip mall outside Kansas City
But this organization does not greet people with a toothy good morning and a coffee. It welcome comes with a bullet.
Despite the bland name, they are in effect, Russian strongman Vladimir Putin’s secret army. And they have unleashed bloodshed around the planet.''

According to a report by The Soufan Group, a global intelligence and security consultancy, it was mercenaries from the Wagner Group who were first on the ground in Ukraine, laying the groundwork for the Russian invasion launched on Wednesday''.
''The New York Times reports that around 300 Wagner operatives have been on the ground in the eastern Ukraine separatist enclaves of Donetsk and Luhansk. EU officials told the Times the killers were dressed in civilian clothes.''

''If the number of Russian body bags coming home from Ukraine begins to increase, Putin will see that the Wagner Group are front and centre''

 

[PommyMommy]

Macron Reiterates Support For Moldova, Georgia – Both Facing Breakaway Regions (rferl.org)
[...]

"We stand with Moldova and Georgia to defend their sovereignty and security," the Elysee Palace quoted Macron as telling them in phone calls on February 26.

Macron voiced his "determination to support our partners in the eastern neighborhood" of the European Union "against any attempt [to cause] tensions and destabilization," it said.

[...]

Geogrian regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence following a brief war between Georgia and Russia in 2008.

[...]

Moldova’s Transdniester region broke away from the central government following a brief war in 1992.

Russia maintains a military presence in the region despite the Moldovan government’s repeated calls for Russian troops to be replaced by international peacekeepers.

[...]

 

[Turkeytrot]

The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) Tweeted:
️Air raid alert in Kyiv.

People must urgently go to the nearest shelter. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1497649322883788804?s=20&t=Qj1Dx7krEw6-CWMrbn3sFg

 

[Fika]

The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) Tweeted:
️Air raid alert in Kyiv.

People must urgently go to the nearest shelter. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1497649322883788804?s=20&t=Qj1Dx7krEw6-CWMrbn3sFg

 

[Bit of hope]

Omhelzing!!! I feel the same and my bf too and my friends too and my family too . It’s hard to watch people suffering begging for help and doing nothing. It’s not in my nature to sit trough other people suffering that is not what feels moral to me. I feel like I could go there and fight. I wouldn’t be much of help. I suffer from morality point of view. It just feels so wrong to do nothing. I dont want war of course but I hate to turn my head around and just wave the flag..

Thanks sweetie..hugs for you all of your loved ones too X

 

[PommyMommy]

Stars and Stripes on Twitter
A Japanese-owned cargo ship has been hit by a Russian missile in the Black Sea off Ukraine's coast, according to media reports.


Russian missile strikes Japanese cargo ship off Ukraine, reports say | Stars and Stripes
[...]

The Panamanian-registered Namura Queen was damaged on Friday and one of its 20 Filipino crew members "sustained a nonlife threatening injury to his shoulder," the Japan Times reported on Saturday.

[...]

"Ukraine authorities said the missile was fired by Russian forces, following their military invasion of Ukraine earlier this week," the report said.

[...]

 

[SouthAussie]

A total of 2,692 people have been detained in anti-war protests in Russia in the last three days, according to the protest monitoring site OVD-Info.

More than 1,800 people were arrested at rallies across the country on Thursday night, after Russians protested on the streets of Moscow, St Petersburg and more than 50 other Russian cities.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/l...08db56730fcf75#block-621a70498f08db56730fcf75

 

[Bit of hope]

To break out of my very saddened heart....NO OFFENCE....

 

[SouthAussie]

Excerpt ....

"I’ve just driven back across Ukraine from Lviv to close to Kyiv. A lonely drive in my direction but still packed roads going west as many escape from the Russian military action.

<Sorry, I am deleting this part because The Guardian has now deleted it. It described what some of the Ukrainian people were doing and where they were doing it, to defend themselves.>

Russia-Ukraine latest news: gunfights continue in Kyiv as Germany sends anti-tank weapons and missiles – live

 

[PommyMommy]

The Mirror on Twitter
An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday Russia's attack on Kyiv was not advancing and that around 3,500 Russian soldiers had been killed or injured so far in Moscow's assault on Ukraine.

Russia Ukraine war LIVE: Putin's invasion could fail in days if Kyiv continue to resist - World News - Mirror Online
Russian troops have reportedly been given gas masks amid fears they plan to blow up chemical containers.

Russian casualties are likely to be "heavy and greater than anticipated" as Ukrainian Armed Forces put up a staunch resistance across the country.

A combination of Ukraine trained troops and civilians baring arms have managed to stave off attacks in many areas with the bulk of Vladimir Putin's forces around 19 miles from the centre of Kyiv.

It comes amid fears Russia is preparing thermobaric weapons that launch a barrage of fuel-air explosive warheads that can 'melt' an opposing army.

The night of fighting with heavy shell attacks has taken a great toll on both sides, with estimates suggesting between 1,000 and 3,500 Russian soldiers and up to 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed.

[...]

 

[AliceInPain]

sbm

Almost at a point that I want to go there and fight with the Ukrainians...

I've been thinking that all day. But I'm also a bit older now and have kids, studying, and probably can't shoot as well as I did 30 years ago. I hope people who are capable and wish to go are going.