Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #10

[MassGuy]

These people are evil beyond belief. Take vlad down.

 

[JennieM]

NEW

BREAKING​

Anti-terror measures Moscow - mayor​

Moscow's mayor has announced anti-terrorist measures are being taken to reinforce security in the capital city.

Writing on Telegram Sergey Sobyanin wrote: "In connection with the incoming information, anti-terrorist measures are being taken in Moscow aimed at strengthening security measures.

"Additional control on the roads has been introduced.

"It is possible to limit the holding of public events. Please consider the measures taken with understanding."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142

 

[JennieM]

Footage shows armed men skirting Rostov police HQ​

Videos posted on Russian local Rostov-on-Don Telegram channels early on Saturday showed armed men in uniform skirting the city’s regional police headquarters, belonging to the interior ministry.

Reuters reports it was not immediately clear who the armed men were. The news agency was able to verify the location as the police headquarters building, but not to determine when the video was shot.

Authorities in southern Russian regions had said measures were being taken to ensure public safety after Yevgeny Prigozhin indicated he planned to despatch men to Moscow to oust the military leadership.

Mercenary troops withdraw from Rostov as Prigozhin calls off rebellion – as it happened

The mercenaries’ chief said he had halted his troops to avoid ‘Russian bloodshed’, and he is not facing charges

www.theguardian.com

 

[PommyMommy]

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[JennieM]

Anti-Kremlin tycoon urges Russians to back Wagner boss​

Anti-Kremlin figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky has urged Russians to support Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin who, as we've been reporting, has vowed to bring down Moscow's military leadership.

Khodorkovsky, who was once Russia’s richest oligarch, said: "We need to help now, and then, if necessary, we will fight this one, too."

After falling out with Vladimir Putin, he spent 10 years in a Russian prison and recently called for tougher sanctions against the Russian president.

Khodorkovsky said it was important to back "even the devil" if he decided to take on the Kremlin.

"And yes, this is just the beginning," he said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142

 

[JennieM]

A serious challenge to Putin - expert​

Bernd Debusmann Jr
BBC News, Washington DC

The upsurge of Russian infighting is being watched closely around the world, including by former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and CIA officer Mick Mulroy.

He told the BBC Wagner boss Prigozhin was now presenting a serious challenge to President Putin.

"It says a lot that Russia had to rely on mercenaries to try and salvage its strategically disastrous invasion of Ukraine. It says even more that Prigozhin is now acknowledging that it was, in fact, unprovoked and that the Russian people were lied to from the beginning," he says.

If Wagner forces can actually threaten Putin's control of the country,

Russia may have to "reorient its military strength toward self-preservation and away from its efforts to stop the Ukrainian counter-offensive", he tells me.

"Even if this attempted coup fails, it emphatically makes the point that those closest to this war know it was a terrible mistake."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142

 

[JennieM]

Summary​

Here’s an overview of all the latest major developments:

• Russia’s FSB security service has opened a criminal case for armed mutiny against Yevgeny Prigozhin after the head of the Wagner mercenary group accused the Russian military of targeting his forces and vowed to “destroy” his rivals. In an extraordinary series of audio clips released late on Friday, Prigozhin claimed that a rocket attack in the Russian region of Rostov had killed scores of his fighters, vowing to take “revenge” and “stop the evil brought by the military leadership of the country”.

• The FSB said Prigozhin’s statements and actions were “in fact a call to start an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation and a stab in the back to Russian servicemen fighting pro-fascist Ukrainian forces”. It urged Wagner fighters “not to make irreparable mistakes, to stop any forceful actions against the Russian people, not to carry out the criminal and treacherous orders of Prigozhin, and to take measures to detain him”.

• Early on Saturday, Prigozhin released another voice message in which he claimed, without offering any evidence, that his forces had left Ukraine and were entering the southern Russian city of Rostov. “Right now we have crossed all the border points … The border guards greeted us and hugged our fighters. Now we are entering Rostov,” he said. “If anyone gets in our way, we will destroy everything … We extend our hand to everyone. We move forward, we are going all the way!”

• Prigozhin claimed in an audio message that Wagner shot down a Russian helicopter that opened fire on the convoy near Rostov. He did not provide evidence.

• Security measures have been strengthened in Moscow, with critical facilities taken under increased protection, Russian state news agency Tass reported, citing law enforcement agencies. Unconfirmed footage also appeared to show military vehicles on the streets of the Russian capital.

A view of the Kremlin in Moscow overnight on Friday. Photograph: AP

• Emergency protocols were also implemented in the city of Rostov, involving the full mobilisation of the local security services, according to several Telegram channels linked to security service. Pictures published by local media showed armour vehicles appearing on the streets. Baza, a Telegram channel linked to Russian security services, reported that helicopters were seen flying over Rostov.

• Gen Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russia’s Ukraine campaign, released a video address ordering the mercenaries to remain loyal to Putin. “I urge you to stop,” said Surovikin, who was previously understood to be close to Prigozhin. “The enemy is just waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country.”

• Russian president Vladimir Putin was getting round-the-clock updates from all relevant state security agencies on the measures being taken to thwart an attempted armed mutiny, Tass reported. “All necessary measures are being taken,” Russian state media quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying.

• Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin had accused Moscow’s leadership of lying to the public about the justifications for invading Ukraine. He dismissed Moscow’s claims that Kyiv was planning to launch an offensive on the Russian-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine in February 2022, saying: “The ministry of defence is trying to deceive the public and the president and spin the story that there was insane levels of aggression from the Ukrainian side and that they were going to attack us together with the whole Nato block.”

• The commander of Ukraine’s ground forces has confirmed for the first time that the main force of his offensive reserve is yet to be committed into battle with Russia, saying: “Everything is still ahead.” In an exclusive interview with the Guardian from a military base in east Ukraine, Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said the Russian general staff had anticipated where Ukraine’s forces were at their most dangerous but issued a warning to the Kremlin that he was hunting down the lethal weakness in their lines.

Mercenary troops withdraw from Rostov as Prigozhin calls off rebellion – as it happened

The mercenaries’ chief said he had halted his troops to avoid ‘Russian bloodshed’, and he is not facing charges

www.theguardian.com

 

[PommyMommy]

June 23, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

Russia's FSB security service accused Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin of calling for an "armed rebellion" when he vowed retaliation after claiming Moscow's military killed a "huge amount" of his mercenaries in a strike on a camp.

www.cnn.com

Nations monitor the infighting in Russia: President Vladimir Putin is aware “of the situation unfolding around Prigozhin,” Russian state media TASS said Friday, as well as the investigation into his comments. In Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the country's presidential administration, tweeted "tumultuous times are coming," while Ukraine's Ministry of Defense concisely tweeted: "We are watching." In the US, the White House said it was "monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments,” according to Adam Hodge, National Security Council spokesperson.

Russian officials urge Wagner fighters to detain their leader: The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) urged Wagner Group fighters not to follow Prigozhin's orders and implored fighters to take measures to detain him. Similarly, Sergey Surovikin, Russia’s top commander in Ukraine, urged the mercenary fighters to "stop" and to "obey the will" of President Putin. "We are of the same blood. We are warriors. I urge you to stop, the enemy is only waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country," Surovikin was seen saying in a video posted to Telegram by a Russian state media reporter.

Russia takes steps to control the narrative: State news TV channel Russia 24 interrupted the broadcast of a program Friday night to read out a message from the Russian Ministry of Defense, stating the claims made by the Wagner mercenary group leader "do not correspond to reality." This statement has been widespread throughout Russia, even appearing on Telegram in a message from the defense ministry.

Russia steps up security: In the Russian city of Rostov near southeast Ukraine, military vehicles could be seen driving the streets. Posts were organized on Saturday in the area of the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov where military personnel and law enforcement officers are keeping order, a TASS correspondent reported. The preparations were taking place as Prigozhin said his fighters were entering the Rostov region. In Moscow, security measures were also visible, according to TASS.

 

[PommyMommy]

5 min ago

June 23, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

Russia's FSB security service accused Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin of calling for an "armed rebellion" when he vowed retaliation after claiming Moscow's military killed a "huge amount" of his mercenaries in a strike on a camp.

www.cnn.com

Videos appear to show military vehicles and helicopters in Rostov​

Videos posted to social media purport to show military helicopters flying over the Russian city of Rostov and a number of armored vehicles on city streets on Saturday morning.

The videos have been geolocated by CNN to Teatral'nyy Prospekt, in Rostov.

It is currently unclear whose command these vehicles are under the control of. Rostov region Governor Vasily Golubev asked residents on Saturday morning to stay calm and not leave their homes.

Rostov is in Russia's south, near to the border with southeastern Ukraine, and about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Moscow.

 

[Puzzles8]

These people are evil beyond belief. Take vlad down.

I agree in taking Putin down, but the question/fear is who is going to step in and take his place if there is a coup? That could be a bigger worry.

JMO

 

[JennieM]

Google News blocked in Russia, NetBlocks says​

Metrics show that the Google News website is currently unavailable in Russia, according to internet usage tracker NetBlocks.

The UK-based monitoring organisation posted data showing a drop in users since the tensions with the Wagner Group began.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142

 

[JennieM]

What has been happening?​

Thomas Mackintosh
Live reporter in London

Lets take a step back and recap the developments of the past few hours.
There has been a dramatic escalation of infighting between Russia's Wagner mercenary group and the Russian military.

• Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin called for rebellion against the army, accusing it of carrying out a missile strike against his forces, something the defence ministry denies
• The Kremlin says Prigozhin is now being investigated for inciting mutiny
• Security has been tightened in Moscow and in the city of Rostov-on-Don, about 100km to the east of the Ukrainian border
• Prigozhin says his forces have entered Russia from Ukraine - although we have not yet seen evidence of this. He has also claimed his forces have shot down a Russian helicopter, again without providing evidence
• The governor of Russia's Rostov region has told residents to stay indoors and remain calm
• Russian president Vladimir Putin is being updated on the situation, as is US President Joe Biden

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142

 

[JennieM]

I agree in taking Putin down, but the question/fear is who is going to step in and take his place if there is a coup? That could be a bigger worry.

JMO

I can't imagine someone worse.

 

[PommyMommy]

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Accept third party cookies

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[PommyMommy]

5 min ago

June 23, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

Russia's FSB security service accused Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin of calling for an "armed rebellion" when he vowed retaliation after claiming Moscow's military killed a "huge amount" of his mercenaries in a strike on a camp.

www.cnn.com

Moscow mayor says "anti-terrorist measures" are being carried out in the city​

From CNN's Mariya Knight

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin says that "anti-terrorist measures" are being carried out in the city as a result of "incoming information," according to an update on his Telegram group.

"In connection with the incoming information, antiterrorist measures are being taken in Moscow aimed at strengthening security measures," Sobyanin said.

The measures include "additional control on the roads" and "limitations on holding public events."

 

[JennieM]

Extraordinary escalation in Wagner-Kremlin rift​

Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor

It’s no secret that tension has been growing between Russia’s Ministry of Defence and the Wagner mercenary group over how the war in Ukraine has been fought.

That tension has now come to a head in the most extraordinary fashion.

First Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin accused the Russian military, his own side, of launching a missile strike on a Wagner base camp, killing, he claimed, many fighters.

He presented no evidence for that, but he used the claim to declare what he called "A March of Justice", and said he had 25,000 fighters ready to rid the Russian military leadership of evil.

The Russian authorities accused Prigozhin of organising an armed mutiny. Senior Russian military figures have been calling on Wagner fighters not to obey his orders.

One lieutenant general described the Wagner chief’s actions as “a stab in the back of the country and the president”.

The Kremlin said that President Putin had been informed of what was happening.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142/page/2

 

[JennieM]

US monitoring situation​

The White House has released a brief statement on the situation in Russia.

"We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments," said National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-66006142/page/2

 

[JennieM]

Prigozhin’s apparent rebellion 'unlikely to succeed', says ISW​

Helen Livingstone

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s apparent armed rebellion against the leadership of the Russian ministry of defence is “unlikely to succeed” and he may have “wildly miscalculated”, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said in its latest analysis of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Wagner leader may have thought he would have the backing of Russian president Vladimir Putin, the US thinktank wrote, but that was “extraordinarily unlikely” considering Putin had recently aligned himself more firmly with the Russian defence ministry.

Another possibility was that Prizgozhin’s actions and statements were “a rhetorical overreach in his ongoing dispute with the MoD and his campaign to retain his wavering influence within the Russian information space following the culmination of Wagner’s Bakhmut effort”, it said.

However, this contingency is also highly unlikely, as initial indicators of actual Wagner movements are observable and the Kremlin is not responding to Prigozhin’s statements as only rhetoric.

Mercenary troops withdraw from Rostov as Prigozhin calls off rebellion – as it happened

The mercenaries’ chief said he had halted his troops to avoid ‘Russian bloodshed’, and he is not facing charges

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

duplicate

 

[PommyMommy]

2 min ago

June 23, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

Russia's FSB security service accused Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin of calling for an "armed rebellion" when he vowed retaliation after claiming Moscow's military killed a "huge amount" of his mercenaries in a strike on a camp.

www.cnn.com

Prigozhin says his units were hit by a helicopter on a highway​

From CNN's Mariya Knight

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said Saturday his units were hit by a helicopter on a highway and threatened to “destroy everything” in his way, in an audio message posted on his Telegram channel.

It's unclear exactly where the units were.

"One of the assault squads came under fire from the helicopters. The Wagner units are intact, the helicopter is destroyed and is burning in the forest,” Prigozhin said, adding “we will take it as a threat and destroy everything around us.”

CNN is unable to verify these claims and any video evidence of this.

Prigozhin also said his units are “ready to die.”

“Because we are dying for the Russian people, that must be liberated from those people who are striking at the civilian population, which they just hit in Rostov from helicopters,” he said.

This comes as Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Saturday in a Telegram post that “in connection with the incoming information, antiterrorist measures are being taken in Moscow aimed at strengthening security measures.”

“Additional control on the roads has been introduced. Limitations on holding the public events are possible,” Sobyanin added.