Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #14

[Stella123]

It seems both Musk and Vance are having a child with them these days for protection JMO!

"“Today while walking my 3 year old daughter a group of ‘Slava Ukraini’ protesters followed us around and shouted as my daughter grew increasingly anxious and scared,” Vance wrote on X."

"
But protesters say Vance’s account is a fabrication, and that they had spontaneously passed by the vice president on their way to a nearby protest.

A nearly three-minute video from the incident appears to show Vance surrounded by Secret Service while protesters ask him about Russia’s war in Ukraine and the withdrawal of U.S. support."

Pro-Ukraine protesters dispute JD Vance’s account of confrontation

Demonstrators who questioned the vice president say he fabricated his account of the latest confrontation following a widely condemned Oval Office meeting with Zelensky

www.independent.co.uk

 

[LovesPeace2]

"
Sir Keir's handling of the Ukraine crisis was yesterday praised by former Tory defence secretary Ben Wallace, who said: 'I've seen good leadership from both Keir Starmer and [French] president Macron on this and they should both be congratulated.'

Sir Ben said that Mr Trump's decision to suspend US intelligence sharing with Kyiv was 'suffocating' Ukrainian hope of holding out against Russian aggression, and the Prime Minister should be 'working out what the Americans have switched off, and finding European sources, or even further afield, to replace it'.

He added: 'Hope is the most important thing in this type of conflict and, at the moment, Donald Trump is suffocating the hope that Putin can be either fought to a standstill or indeed brought to the table.

'Hope is always the key for both morale and a military campaign. When this started three years ago, I remember gathering the military officials in my then department, and saying on day one, we have to give the Ukrainians hope. If a Russian truck has a puncture, we need to let people know. If the Russians have a small defeat, we need to let the Ukrainian people know.'

What Trump said in 'strop' when he saw photo of King with Zelensky

Pictures of the King with Ukranian leader Volodymyr Zelensky made President Trump feel 'less special' about the monarch's invitation for a state visit to Britain, handed to him by Sir Keir Starmer last week.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I hope Zelenskyy signs nothing with the USA. If trump isn't going to help he just needs to shut up and stay out of it . It's not his war to make worse .what does trump expect our minerals for nothing fack that.. I don't see what trump gets out of this he's not getting respect as a world leader from anyone . He is destroying the relationship with a lot of countries..What countries in the free world are standing by trump acting like this.

 

[Stella123]

Four days ago

"One banner branded the US president a “KGB agent” with the code name President Krasnov."

Hundreds of Ukraine supporters condemn Trump at US embassy protest

A banner branded the US president a ‘KGB agent’ with the code name President Krasnov

www.standard.co.uk

 

[Stella123]

Why does that article just call them "Ukraine supporters" instead of "American citizens who support Ukraine"? JMO

 

[crussell821]

It's sad isn't it. The White House has become a very negative symbol to the world - it's the lion's den. JMO

For spring break this year

i must ditto.....
The international voices here are actually my sanity. I do have some very close friends in Canada and the UK.... but the wider world wide views here are so so valuable....

One such post included mention of this article . The article is painful. It is making me do further research... But it is a valuable read.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2014/05/15/top-5-myths-about-us-meddling-in-ukraine-a35488/pdf

This alone provides Washington a legal, if not moral, imperative to supportKiev after its territorial integrity was violated during the Russian invasion of Crimea.

Same. This thread is a breath of fresh air. I’m living in near constant fear of what the next few years will be like for my children. I have been working on getting our passports in order in case we need to leave.

 

[poppyquiche]

I don’t think some elements understand what complete and utter fools we’re (continuing to be) making of ourselves in front of the entire world. Granted if they didn’t see that before I see no reason why they’d have a sudden moment of clarity.

It’s all just embarrassing. I can hardly even stand to speak to Ukrainians about any of it at the moment because I feel so guilty and ashamed of people in my own community. I have no explanations for any of them, except that influence campaigns work, russia is *extremely* good at them, and many people are just incurious, very narrow minded and, ultimately, incredibly selfish and vindictive if they feel like they’re not personally on top.

 

[Stella123]

"The president, who derided Barack Obama for golfing while in office, even makes money off his Mar-a-Lago weekends"

US taxpayers have shelled out tens of millions of dollars for Trump’s golf trips

The president, who derided Barack Obama for golfing while in office, even makes money off his Mar-a-Lago weekends

www.theguardian.com

 

[LoveyG]

I don't know what Trump expected. Of course Ukrainians are backing Zelenskyy more than ever after watching him getting berated in the White House by the US president and his sidekick. They also believe Trump is gullibly playing into the hands of Putin, someone Ukrainians understand much better than Trump does. Here's a snippet of a longer piece by a Ukrainian journalist.

Ukrainians on Zelenskyy at the White House​

[...]

The tragedy of the current situation is that Putin couldn’t care less about Trump. He disregards him, whether Trump continues military aid to Ukraine or cuts it off entirely. And if Donald Trump wants to maintain even a remotely strong position in relation to the Russian dictator, he needs to come to terms with this reality.

Nevertheless, Trump remains under the illusion that he can “pull” Russia away from China by acting in a flattering and complimentary manner — just as foreign leaders and members of his own administration behave towards him.

It is worth noting the particular style in which Donald Trump and JD Vance exerted pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Interruptions, lecturing, and raised voices — all of this reflects the deep-seated disrespect Trump and Vance have for their counterpart. Having more resources and a larger territory does not give US politicians the right to humiliate smaller allies. This narcissistic “right of the strong”— and the disregard for those perceived as weaker — is precisely what underpins Donald Trump’s personal affinity for Vladimir Putin.

Trump and Vance treated Zelenskyy as if they were scolding a child. At times, it seemed as though they were moments away from putting him in the corner — which, in a political sense, they eventually did by effectively pushing the Ukrainian president out of the US administration. No money? Then you have no right to your own opinion. Or to dignity, for that matter. This is the world of greed, power, and flattery that Donald Trump is building alongside Vladimir Putin.

[...]

Ukrainians on Zelenskyy at the White House: 'We now rely on the support of Europe'

Ukrainian journalist Polina Bashkina, living in Ireland, shares the reactions of her countrymen to Friday’s Oval Office debacle.

www.thejournal.ie

From above: The tragedy of the current situation is that Putin couldn’t care less about Trump. He disregards him, whether Trump continues military aid to Ukraine or cuts it off entirely. And if Donald Trump wants to maintain even a remotely strong position in relation to the Russian dictator, he needs to come to terms with this reality.

(still desperately trying to please his father)

 

[sapphire blue]

I think they don't care. They probably just don't like "foreigners" JMO - unless they happen to be a world power like Russia. JMO

They are psychopathic cowards. They would care if it was them and their country it was happening to.

 

[sapphire blue]

Four days ago

"One banner branded the US president a “KGB agent” with the code name President Krasnov."

Hundreds of Ukraine supporters condemn Trump at US embassy protest

A banner branded the US president a ‘KGB agent’ with the code name President Krasnov

www.standard.co.uk

One spy
Two spies
Three spies now that have made the same claim. https://www.news.com.au/world/north...r/news-story/45a9889fb95a1caee9d2ded4695da4d2

The way trump is behaving it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it is true.

 

[PommyMommy]

Who are these partisans? I don't understand. Does it mean Ukrainian people who aren't in the army? Or does it mean people from other countries or organisations who are trying to help Ukraine (eg mercenaries?). JMO

From Wiki:

Atesh - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Atesh (Crimean Tatar: Ateş, literally "Fire", Ukrainian: Атеш) is a military partisan movement in the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as in the territory of Russia, created by Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars in September 2022 as a result of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The movement was founded at the end of September 2022. On September 26, the oath of the soldier "Atesh" was published on the official Telegram channel, and on September 29, a video appeal of one of the partisans was made public with an appeal to join the movement.

(Resistance efforts detailed at the link)

 

[PommyMommy]

Throughout this week, Russia has carried out hundreds of attacks against our people using various types of weapons: around 1,200 guided aerial bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and over 80 missiles of different types.

Every Shahed drone and aerial bomb Russia uses contains components supplied in circumvention of sanctions. These weapons include more than 82,000 foreign components.

Every day, we work with our partners to ensure that decisions are made to provide life-saving support: air defense systems, investments in our defense production, and the strengthening of sanctions against Russia. We continue our efforts to bring a just peace closer and ensure reliable security guarantees.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898685044757262598

 

[poppyquiche]

I mean I’ve just been ASSUMING that he was an asset for years in some way, shape, or form. I think a fair number of people probably are. The behaviors make even LESS sense if he’s not.

 

[Stella123]

So they're a kind of underground resistance movement then?

 

[Stella123]

I mean I’ve just been ASSUMING that he was an asset for years in some way, shape, or form. I think a fair number of people probably are. The behaviors make even LESS sense if he’s not.

According to the ex KGB guy in the article linked earlier, he was/is an asset. Which is not the same thing as an agent for Russia. But bad enough JMO

 

[PommyMommy]

Ukraine releases video of Russian attack via gas pipeline in Kursk Oblast.

"At present, Russian special forces are being detected, blocked and destroyed. Enemy losses in the Sudzha area are very heavy," the General Staff claimed on the evening of March 8.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898698982471127531

Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Gulf of Oman.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898731981120184730

Forbes: Russia deploys elite Rubicon drone unit and fresh North Koreans to cut Ukraine’s supply lines in Kursk

Russian drone operators are overwhelming Ukrainian defenses with multi-angle strikes, using rapid frequency shifts to evade jamming.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1898654492242968801

 

[Stella123]

Yes the Russians are releasing plenty of propoganda news - presumably so more people think Ukraine doesn't have a chance - give up on them etc. JMO

That first post with the shot of the gas tunnel - is that a satellite pic? Just wondering if it's a hint that Ukraine is now getting satellite support from elsehwere? MOO

 

[PommyMommy]

So they're a kind of underground resistance movement then?

Exactly. Here's an article from BBC with more details.

JAN 5, 2024

Ukraine war: Atesh, the group spying on Russians in occupied Crimea

Atesh, meaning fire in Crimean Tatar, says it collects data on Russian forces in occupied Ukraine.

www.bbc.com

Atesh says it collects information on Russian military movements - mostly in Crimea but also in other occupied areas and even inside Russia itself.

Operatives say their information has aided high-profile Ukrainian strikes on Crimea, such as hits on a Russian landing ship and submarine - the Minsk and Rostov-on-Don - and an attack on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in September 2023.

Ethnic Russians have for many decades made up the majority of the population [in Crimea], but significant Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar minorities remain.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Some of us (like me) assumed that Zelenskyy was using “costume” as a subtle insult of the costume/suit the reporter was wearing to cover up what a jerk he was. After all, Zelenskyy was a professional comedian.

Yeah, I think he knew exactly what he was saying. He could have used suit, he knew the word, but kudos to him for using the word costume instead, because we all know he meant it how he said it, but there was plausible deniability there too because of the Ukrainian translation. Genius, and such quick wit even in such serious times

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

Senator Obama pushed to destroy massive arms, ammo caches in Ukraine

Massive caches of ammunition and shoulder-fired missiles got the axe over freshman Senator Obama's terrorism fears, but could have helped the Ukrainian military today.

www.dailymail.co.uk

• Obama traveled to Ukraine with Sen. Dick Lugar in 2005 just seven months after he became a senator, touring surplus weapons stockpiles
• Most of the small arms and ammunition were left over when Soviets withdrew from Eastern bloc nations, and later dumped in Ukraine
• The two senators secured U.S. funding to help destroy the weapons instead of leaving them intact
• Ukraine exported more than 700,000 small arms in 2004-2007, including 101,000 each to Libya and the UK, and 260,000 to the U.S.
• But most of the ammunition stockpiles – crucial for keeping a standing army battle-ready – were destroyed
• Ukraine is in a staring match with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has designs on recapturing portions of the former Soviet nation