Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #13

[statt#1]

“Europe is weak without the United States,” Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told reporters on Thursday.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is not in Brussels at the summit, as Britain is no longer a member of the European Union. However, he has insisted the US remains an essential ally...

"Brussels insists the U.S. is still an ally after TRUMP halts aid to Ukraine"

Europe fails to reach deal on Ukraine, rearmament after emergency talks end without agreement

The continent remains divided on what exactly that support for Ukraine might look like and how Europe should adapt to what many see as a new world order under President Trump.

nypost.com

 

[LibraStarr]

seems like a good portion of the US has developed a multiple personality disorder over the last couple of weeks. It's a mass event, too. It's an actual psychological disorder. It's characterized by memory gaps, perception and behaviors. It can affect many people and when it affects individuals who have a high profiles in society, there is documented evidence that their perception has been altered drastically. We've seen it in people like Marco Rubio, Lindsay Graham, Thune, Vance, and even Trump. And it isn't just high profile people, it's people you know personally, or even nameless individuals you've conversed with over the years on topics like murder, kidnapping, and wars. It's hard to believe that the same people who advocated for the Ukrainians calling Zelenskyy a hero, or professing their support for Ukraine are now treating them like they are rodents, something to dispatch. It's called cognitive bias. Some people might call it something else but I'll stick to the scientific label.

This really resonates. It’s unsettling to see people who normally stand up for victims completely abandon that mindset when it comes to Ukraine. The same people who would never blame a victim for being assaulted are now insisting Ukraine is responsible for appeasing the abuser. The same people who call out manipulation and coercion in true crime discussions are defending those exact tactics on a global scale—simply because Trump is pushing them in that direction.

And it’s not just rhetoric—this kind of thinking has real consequences. It emboldens aggressors, weakens democratic alliances, and ultimately makes the world more dangerous for everyone. It shows just how deeply Trump’s influence has warped people’s worldviews. If he says something, suddenly the things they once believed in—justice, standing up to abusers, protecting victims—don’t seem to matter anymore. Their entire moral compass shifts, not because the situation has changed, but because their political identity demands it. That kind of blind loyalty is exactly what allows authoritarianism to take hold.

IMO

 

[Mysteries1974]

An interesting history of the peace negotiations in the Russian invasion on Ukraine.

There were so many peace proposals, some Putin nixed, some Zelensky nixed. Many countries tried, many individuals tried, even the Pope. It's worth reading to get a complete perspective. Russia has said many times they want to discuss peace, Zelensky won't give up anything. JMO MOO

Peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

<modsnip> No one and I mean no one should be making deals with Vladimir Putin

 

[Mysteries1974]

Zelensky needs to show respect in other ways too, height of rudeness and disrespect entering the Oval Office, the most important office in the free world, without wearing a suit and tie, I understand the point Zelensky is trying to make wearing military attire but it is disrespectful to not wear a suit meeting the leader of the free world

Elon Musk didn’t wear a suit or tie when he addressed everyone in the White House in the literal oval office. Why is Zelenskyy required to wear one? The double standard of those defending Russia is insane

 

[JennieM]

Why would any one wish to attack us? Russia in particular.

Kremlin warns it will respond to EU's 'confrontation rhetoric'
​

Vitaliy Shevchenko
Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

Kremlin threatens to respond following “confrontational rhetoric” from Brussels.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells a daily news briefing: “The EU is now actively discussing its militarisation and specifically developing its defence sector. This is a process we’re watching closely because the EU presents Russia as the main adversary.

"This militarisation is mostly aimed against the Russian Federation. Potentially, this can be the subject of deep concern for us, and cause us to take relevant reciprocal measures to ensure our security.

"And of course, this confrontational rhetoric and discussions in Brussels and European capitals are seriously at odds with searching for ways of peaceful settlement in Ukraine.”

Peskov also says Russia was “in touch” with the US on preparing for talks on Ukraine, but there are “no new details”, and Moscow has not appointed a chief negotiator for talks with the US on Ukraine yet.

• As a reminder, the EU said yesterday that they "will accelerate the mobilisation of the necessary instruments and financing in order to bolster the security of the European Union and the protection of our citizens"

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[303gmf]

President Trump is our 45th and 47th president.

Thanks to Putin

 

[UK Girl]

I think if it were Biden who was starting a trade war with Canada, threatening to take control of Greenland, heckling Zelenskyy on camera in the Oval Office, talking about pulling out of NATO, not to mention building a tacky resort in Gaza, the MAGA crowd would not be cheering him on. They would be talking about his mental decline and how he was unfit for office.

This makes me laugh actually. I saw up thread how America was great again (?). After the election I saw how America would apparently be respected around the world again. The thing is the world saw enough the first time to know the second time would not be pretty. Okay we did not know it would get this bad this quick but...Biden was seen as an old guy with medical issues but Trump is far far worse. I see lots of people with cardboard boxes that have lost their jobs. I cant think things have improved.

 

[JennieM]

Damage from overnight strikes - in pictures​

We're getting more images showing the scale of the destruction from overnight strikes in the southern port city of Odesa, as well as the eastern city of Pokrovsk - here's the latest:

IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS
Image caption,
Debris litters destroyed homes in Odesa

IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS
Image caption,
A man was seen rescuing a dog in the port city

IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS
Image caption,
Meanwhile, in Pokrovsk, soldiers assess the damage

IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS
Image caption,
Some buildings in the city partially collapsed

The city of Pokrovsk is a key logistics hub on the front line of the war - the map below shows the battle lines around the city as of Monday:

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[RichardKimble]

Kremlin warns it will respond to EU's 'confrontation rhetoric'​

​

Vitaliy Shevchenko
Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

Kremlin threatens to respond following “confrontational rhetoric” from Brussels.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells a daily news briefing: “The EU is now actively discussing its militarisation and specifically developing its defence sector. This is a process we’re watching closely because the EU presents Russia as the main adversary.

"This militarisation is mostly aimed against the Russian Federation. Potentially, this can be the subject of deep concern for us, and cause us to take relevant reciprocal measures to ensure our security.

"And of course, this confrontational rhetoric and discussions in Brussels and European capitals are seriously at odds with searching for ways of peaceful settlement in Ukraine.”

Peskov also says Russia was “in touch” with the US on preparing for talks on Ukraine, but there are “no new details”, and Moscow has not appointed a chief negotiator for talks with the US on Ukraine yet.

• As a reminder, the EU said yesterday that they "will accelerate the mobilisation of the necessary instruments and financing in order to bolster the security of the European Union and the protection of our citizens"

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

Empty vessels make the loudest noise, it still doesn't answer why Russia would want to directly attack the uk.Allegedly we have a nuclear deterrent, if the Russians circumvent that then the deterrent is pointless.

 

[JennieM]

From Russia's advances to Ukraine's fightback – how the war has changed
​

Fighting has raged in Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion three years ago.

Russia has slowly expanded the amount of territory they control over the past year, mostly in the east of Ukraine, but Ukrainian forces have made those advances as slow and difficult as possible and have staged a counter-offensive into Russian territory.

Its full-scale invasion began with dozens of missile strikes on cities all over Ukraine before dawn on 24 February 2022. Ground troops moved in quickly and within a few weeks were in control of large areas of Ukraine and had advanced to the suburbs of Kyiv.

Below is a reminder of how the war has progressed, and you can look at detailed maps here showing the current state of the conflict.

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

Incessant strikes leave Ukrainians drained - but they don't want a 'humiliating' deal​

A Ukrainian professor from Kyiv, who is now residing in the south-eastern city of Zaporizhzhia, tells the BBC that the atmosphere across the city today is "stressful".

"People are unsure and uncertain about whatever is going to come because there have been constant drone raids, ballistic missile attacks, guided air bomb attacks," Oleksandr Chyrvoni says. "So it is pretty hard, to put it mildly."

But he says Ukrainians would rather keep fighting than accept a deal that is "humiliating for Ukraine".

"The first thought would always be 'I wish the war ended tomorrow' and that's a prevalent thought of course, but on the other hand people are very much concerned about the fact that this deal might be humiliating for Ukraine," he says.

"Because of that I think people are willing to endure for some time longer," he adds.

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

Russian strikes target Ukraine's energy sector as French-made jets used for first time
​

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

If you are just joining us, let's bring you up to date with some of the key developments from the last couple of hours:

• Ukraine says its energy and gas infrastructure has again been attacked by Russian missiles and drones - itsenergy minister has accused Moscow of intentionally trying to harm the civilian population
• Officials in Odesa and Kharkiv say these waves of attacks have left infrastructure damaged and homes on fire
• Several people were injured in Kharkiv while the military administration in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk says Russian glide bombs injured seven people, including two children
• French-made Mirage jets have been deployed in Ukraine's war with Russia for the first time, according to Ukraine's air force
• The Kremlin has denied suggestions that the overnight attack was in response to a ceasefire proposal suggested by Emmanuel Macron
• Elsewhere, the US and Ukraine have said they will hold talks in Saudi Arabia next Tuesday to discuss a potential ceasefire with Russia - delegations for both Washington and Kyiv will be in attendance

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

One killed as Russia shells residential area, local authorities report
​

Vitaliy Shevchenko
Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

We can now bring you an update from a city in Ukraine's east, which is facing a fast-approaching front line.

The emergency services in Kostyantynivka, in the eastern Donbas region, say one person was killed and one person wounded after Russia shelled residential parts of the city.

Search and rescue operations had to be suspended after Russian attacks resumed while emergency workers were on site, Ukrainian state emergency service DSNS says.

In all, 33 residential buildings and eight apartment blocks were damaged in the attack, it adds.

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

In eastern Ukraine, the tide of war hasn't just changed - it's coming in fast
​

James Waterhouse
Ukraine correspondent in the Donetsk region

IMAGE SOURCE, BBC/XAVIER VANPEVENAEGE
Image caption,
Freight carriages are lined up on the platforms at Kramatorsk station to provide cover from Russian attacks

"We know what's coming," says Mariya as she packs up the TV in her flat in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka. "We're tired all day [and suffer] moods and panic attacks. It's constantly depressing, and we're scared."

In February, Russia captured the strategic town of Avdiivka. Since then, the invaders have advanced further west, and taken several villages.

Ukraine says its forces are "holding on". But Russian troops are now attacking in five areas along the 1,100km (700 mile) front line.

Over 1.2 million people have left the Ukrainian-controlled Donetsk region since Russia's full scale invasion two years ago.

And it's here in the eastern Donetsk region that Ukraine's defenders are being tested the most.

People in cities like Pokrovsk, Kostyantynivka (where we reported a fatality occurred this morning) and Kramatorsk are now facing a fast-approaching front line, and even occupation.

Russia is using its size, air superiority and deeper ammunition reserves to keep pushing, at a time when Western military aid to Ukraine is running low or being held up by domestic politics.

Wave of Russian strikes kill at least 20 and injures dozens, officials say

Ukraine's President Zelensky urges more sanctions against Russia as he says the strikes show the Kremlin's goals "are unchanged".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

Russia’s attacks have intensified, US actions and influence have helped them to advance. IMO.

 

[statt#1]

Russia’s attacks have intensified, US actions and influence have helped them to advance. IMO.

Not so. Putin has escalated the attacks so as to show force and strength. Some folks seem to think he has no power. I've said before, and will say again, Putin has been fighting a limited engagement. Do some research, compare ground forces, look at other statistics. This war will continue unabated until such time a deal is made to stop it, and Putin must be at the table for that to come to pass.

 

[JennieM]

Empty vessels make the loudest noise, it still doesn't answer why Russia would want to directly attack the uk.Allegedly we have a nuclear deterrent, if the Russians circumvent that then the deterrent is pointless.

John Donne, “No man is an island” and UK is part of Europe and NATO. Putin and other hostile countries are everyone’s problem.

 

[JennieM]

Not so. Putin has escalated the attacks so as to show force and strength. Some folks seem to think he has no power. I've said before, and will say again, Putin has been fighting a limited engagement. Do some research, compare ground forces, look at other statistics. This war will continue unabated until such time a deal is made to stop it, and Putin must be at the table for that to come to pass.

Withholding military aid and intelligence have harmed the Ukraine and helped Russia, which was Trump’s intention. It also helps Russia knowing they have an ally in the US.

 

[UK Girl]

Not so. Putin has escalated the attacks so as to show force and strength. Some folks seem to think he has no power. I've said before, and will say again, Putin has been fighting a limited engagement. Do some research, compare ground forces, look at other statistics. This war will continue unabated until such time a deal is made to stop it, and Putin must be at the table for that to come to pass.

and so must Zelensky!

 

[LibraStarr]

Interesting you would say this. The leftist democrat party in the U.S. has been anti-war for decades, easily back to the Vietnam era. Their hatred of TRUMP has shifted their priorities, skewed their vision, and caused them to become warmongers.

I stand by my assertions on this website. The war in Ukraine will continue unabated, the slaughter will continue, unless a deal is reached. TRUMP is right on this one.

If Putin is not at the table, a deal will not come to pass, and the killing will continue. So be it. I am fairly confident the U.S., under our President, will neither fund it, nor send our youth to fight it. Send yours.

"Leftist Democrat" doesn’t really make sense—Democrats and leftists aren’t the same thing, and in many cases, they don’t even agree. The Democratic Party includes a wide range of political views, from centrists to progressives, but it is largely a capitalist, establishment party that operates within mainstream American politics.

Leftists, on the other hand, tend to push for systemic change beyond what the Democratic Party typically supports—things like socialism, abolishing capitalism, or dismantling U.S. imperialism. In fact, many leftists criticize Democrats just as much as Republicans, especially on issues like foreign policy, corporate influence, and military intervention.

Lumping them together ignores these major differences and misrepresents both groups.