Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #2

[Sundog]

It's important, because Turkey is a 60 year NATO partner and has the Russian province of Georgia as a border, Putin marched into Georgia and took it over with military force, just as he is attempting with Ukraine.

Turkey wants no business with anyone interfering with the Bosphorus and Putin is the one guy who would want to do that.

We lived in Istanbul for many years in the 1970s, and often I would watch Russian ships along the Bosphorus strait as they made their way to the Black Sea. These were not warships, of course, but the Bosphorus is a critical access point for Russia for economic reasons as well.

Turkey has been clear about not supporting the Russian invasion, even though it is energy dependent on Russia, and I am sure they agonized over this decision while they sought to interpret the Montreux Treaty, but in the end, made the right decision as a member of NATO, and after careful deliberation regarding the terms of the Treaty, which is exactly what they had to do.

 

[dotr]

MOO MOO the nuke alert is a cover for the thermo bombs just moved into place that burn the oxygen out of an entire area.

What is a thermobaric bomb? Fears Putin will use weapon which can destroy cities block-by-block (inews.co.uk)
Feb 26 2022
''The so-called ‘vacuum bombs’ are capable of vapourising human bodies and reducing cities to rubble

A Russian Army TOS-1A ‘Solntsepyok (Blazing Sun)’ multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis (Photo by Leonid Faerberg/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
By Georgina Littlejohn
February 26, 2022
''But Western officials have warned that if the Ukrainian military resistance continues to hold up the Russian assault, President Putin could resort to using thermobaric weapons.''

''The Tos-1 Buratino weapons are understood to have crossed into Ukraine, although they have yet to be used.
Moscow has previously employed them in Chechnya and Syria.
“My fear would be that if they don’t meet their timescale and objectives they would be indiscriminate in their use of violence,” the official said.
“They don’t adhere to the same principles of necessity and proportionality and rule of law that Western forces do.”

 

[Boxer]

Yes, but no actual children involved. Or wives.
Again, not trying to argue. Don't hate me.

Using Thermobaric bombs will certainly kill families.

 

[LaborDayRN]

That superhero face paint.

It actually seems appropriate after the last few days.

 

[Herat]

This is really almost trivial, considering the events of the last 12 hours, but it's worth noting.

Chelsea Football (soccer for USAnians) Club is rejecting Russian oligarch owner Roman Abramovich's move to put the ownership of the football club into it's charitable trust. If you remember, Abramovich did not condemm Putin or the war, and didn't sell his shares or actually lose control over the club.

Chelsea trustees have not agreed to 'stewardship' amid concerns of being front for Roman Abramovich

It's important for the free world to stand firm on everything with Putin and not let him or his associates to play "halfsies" ( half-in, half-out).

With Putin, just as with North Korea's Kim, its a YES or a NO.

 

[Sundog]

I think Turkey should do the same...the Russians practically "own" all the nice and luxury hotels on the south coast of Turkey.....

Not all of them, lol. When my father retired, he opened a pension in Datca, on the Aegean Sea, but yes, there are a lot of Russian-owned hotels in the area, as this is a tourist area for people who live in that part of the world.

 

[Herat]

I'm very worried about Zelentsky and all his ministers and officers if Putin uses those thermobaric bombs. There might not be any remains to identify.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Yes, but no actual children involved. Or wives.
Again, not trying to argue. Don't hate me.

They've killed actual children and wives in Ukraine in the last few days while committing their numerous war crimes.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I'm very worried about Zelentsky and all his ministers and officers if Putin uses those thermobaric bombs. There might not be any remains to identify.

Those bombs give me literal nightmares.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Also surprising from that same link...


Two Russian billionaires come out against war
Russian oligarchs Oleg Deripaska and Mikhail Fridman called for an end to the invasion of Ukraine.

Fridman, who was born in western Ukraine, called it a tragedy for both Russia and Ukraine. In a letter to his staff, he wrote that the war was creating divisions between Russians and Ukrainians who he said have been brothers for centuries.

He wrote, "My parents are Ukrainian citizens and live in Lviv, my favorite city."


Ukraine agrees to peace talks with Russia — live updates | DW | 27.02.2022

I'm not surprised by Deripaska. He has a lot to lose if Putin continues this war and attracts even more harsh sanctions.

Central Bank is keeping a keen eye on oligarchs’ billions that wash through Dublin

Mr Deripaska owns the En+ Group, which includes Rusal, the global aluminium giant which in turn owns the Aughinish Alumina plant in the Shannon Estuary. The business employs 450 people.

Though he has not been named in the latest round of sanctions, he was one of 23 prominent Russian oligarchs and government officials hit by sanctions in April 2018, measures imposed by Washington in response to Moscow’s 2014 invasion of Crimea.

The Financial Times reported that the US Treasury accused him of laundering funds for Mr Putin — which was denied.

Sanctions against his companies were lifted when he withdrew from the business. In 2020, European officials concluded Mr Deripaska was still running Rusal in violation of sanctions.

Mr Deripaska said the sanctions had resulted in “the utter devastation of his wealth, reputation and economic livelihood.”

Two properties linked to him were raided by the FBI last year.

Aughinish Alumina and other Irish businesses fear financial sanctions against Russia

Meanwhile, Rusal Aughinish, the Russian-controlled smelter in the Shannon Estuary, Europe’s largest bauxite facility, which supplies 45 % of its aluminium metal to the European markets, could find itself in the eye of the sanctions storm. A global rush in demand for aluminium has already pushed prices up over the past 12 months.

Aughinish hoping to avoid being unintended victim of sanctions on Russia

Aughinish is a manufacturing company based on Irish soil which potentially has the most to lose out should the West escalate its sanctions in an uncontrolled way in the coming weeks and months.

Aughinish has faced the fallout of sanctions on its Russian owners over in the past. It was only finally freed three years ago of the uncertainty when the US lifted sanctions on Rusal and other companies linked to controlling stakeholder Oleg Deripaska, the Russian billionaire accused of having close ties with the Kremlin.

The US had imposed crippling sanctions on Mr Deripaska's business interests.

 

[PommyMommy]

“
The EU is closing the airspace for Russian flights and sending weapons to Ukraine, says EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The decision is historic.

"We are increasing our support for Ukraine. For the first time, the EU will finance and supply weapons and equipment to a country under attack. We are also strengthening our sanctions against the Kremlin, "she wrote on Twitter.

The EU has also decided to ban Russian state media Sputnik and RT. Sanctions are also being imposed on Belarus.”

Liverapportering: Ryska invasionen av Ukraina

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️EU shuts its airspace to all Russian-owned, Russian-registered, or Russian-controlled aircraft, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.
“Including the private jets of oligarchs,” she wrote.

 

[Bit of hope]

Heaven forbid, but forewarned is forearmed. rbbm.
Be Prepared for a Nuclear Explosion (ready.gov)
''Fallout is most dangerous in the first few hours after the detonation when it is giving off the highest levels of radiation. It takes time for fallout to arrive back to ground level, often more than 15 minutes for areas outside of the immediate blast damage zones. This is enough time for you to be able to prevent significant radiation exposure by following these simple steps:''

''Identify shelter locations. Identify the best shelter location near where you spend a lot of time, such as home, work, and school. The best locations are underground and in the middle of larger buildings. While commuting, identify appropriate shelters to seek in the event of a detonation. Outdoor areas, vehicles and mobile homes do NOT provide adequate shelter. Look for basements or the center of large multi-story buildings.

Make sure you have an Emergency Supply Kit for places you frequent and might have to stay for 24 hours. It should include bottled water, packaged foods, emergency medicines, a hand-crank or batterypowered radio to get information in case power is out, a flashlight, and extra batteries for essential items. If possible, store supplies for three or more days.

If warned of an imminent attack, immediately get inside the nearest building and move away from windows. This will help provide protection from the blast, heat, and radiation of the detonation. If you are outdoors when a detonation occurs take cover from the blast behind anything that might offer protection. Lie face down to protect exposed skin from the heat and flying debris. If you are in a vehicle, stop safely, and duck down within the vehicle.

After the shock wave passes, get inside the nearest, best shelter location for protection from potential fallout. You will have 10 minutes or more to find an adequate shelter. Be inside before the fallout arrives. The highest outdoor radiation levels from fallout occur immediately after the fallout arrives and then decrease with time.

Stay tuned for updated instructions from emergency response officials. If advised to evacuate, listen for information about routes, shelters, and procedures.

Immediately after you are inside shelter, if you may have been outside after the fallout arrived: Remove your outer layer of contaminated clothing to remove fallout and radiation from your body. Take a shower or wash with soap and water to remove fallout from any skin or hair that was not covered. If you cannot wash or shower, use a wipe or clean wet cloth to wipe any skin or hair that was not covered. Clean any pets that were outside after the fallout arrived. Gently brush your pet’s coat to remove any fallout particles and wash your pet with soap and water, if available.

It is safe to eat or drink packaged food items or items that were inside a building. Do not consume food or liquids that were outdoors uncovered and may be contaminated by fallout. If you are sick or injured, listen for instructions on how and where to get medical attention when authorities tell you it is safe to exit.''

Djeez dotr....you scare me....

 

[CSIDreamer]

Posted 7 minutes ago

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1497983719273115652?t=H-xyR49WPCzkMCg7sK558Q&s=19

️Air raid alert in Kyiv.

People must urgently go to the nearest shelter.

 

[PommyMommy]

Ukraine invasion: What to know as Putin alerts nuclear force | AP News
He said that leading NATO powers had made “aggressive statements” toward Russia in addition to stiff economic sanctions and cutting leading Russian banks from the SWIFT banking system.

(Petulant child! They said bad things about him. Waaaaa... jmo)

 

[Bit of hope]

I just read it, it is on the way:

'Thermobaric rockets, also known as "the father of all bombs", detonate all oxygen within a radius of 300 meters when exploded, suffocating all human and animal life. The weapon is therefore especially suitable for use against large troop concentrations with light vehicles or in urban areas'

GT from Rusland stuurt gevreesde raket die “muur van napalm” naar vijand werpt richting front in Oekraïne

Here is the vid:
https://twitter.com/fpleitgenCNN/status/1497519335350452231

 

[dotr]

Ukraine invasion: What to know as Putin alerts nuclear force | AP News
He said that leading NATO powers had made “aggressive statements” toward Russia in addition to stiff economic sanctions and cutting leading Russian banks from the SWIFT banking system.

(Petulant child! They said bad things about him. Waaaaa... jmo)

The potin calling the kettle black!

 

[PommyMommy]

Russia-Ukraine latest: Putin orders nuclear deterrence forces on high alert; Zelenskiy says Ukrainian and Russian delegations to meet | World news | The Guardian
At least 15 European countries ban Russian flights from airspace

Italy is among 14 EU countries, including France, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Poland to have shut off their airspace to Russian aircraft. The UK shut its airspace off to Russian flights last week.

Moscow responded by closing its airspace to commercial and transit flights from EU countries, with the measure so far aimed at planes linked or registered to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Austrian Airlines said on Saturday it was cancelling flights to Russia and avoiding Russian airspace for at least seven days. Swiss International Air Lines is maintaining flights for now.

US announces £40m humanitarian aid for Ukraine
Secretary of state Antony Blinken said the US is focused on Ukraine’s “urgent humanitarian needs as an important part of our response to Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified attack.”

This new assistance to be channelled through NGOs includes “provision of food, safe drinking water, shelter, emergency health care, winterization and protection,” Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken said the new assistance will also help aid groups maintain contact between family members who have been separated by the war, “hopefully leading to reunification in some cases.”

 

[Bit of hope]

And this happened in Belarus today. Referendum outcomes Referendum in Belarus over grondwet, terwijl regime aanval op Oekraïne steunt

As Russian tanks drive into Ukraine from Belarus, a referendum on a new constitution is being held in Belarus today. The outcome is already certain, in the dictatorially led country elections are characterized by massive fraud in favor of a positive result for the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.

The war in Ukraine is no reason to postpone the polls, says the electoral commission. Belarusian state media made virtually no mention of the Russian invasion of the neighboring country this week, while the attack on Kiev is being carried out from Belarus. This morning , Lukashenko acknowledged that missiles were fired at Ukraine "in self-defense", but denies that war is being waged from Belarus on Ukraine.

The constitutional amendment was already announced by Lukashenko at the end of 2020, in response to mass protests against his regime. At the time , the dictator said he would resign as soon as a new constitution was adopted, but that promise was not repeated later.

the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe "the unequal distribution of power in Belarus is actually further aggravated".

Protesting against the constitutional amendment is not possible, says Belarusian journalist Vladimir Aplevich. "Anyone who takes to the streets is immediately arrested and thrown in jail." There are also no demonstrations against the war in Ukraine, whereas there are demonstrations in Russian cities.

Repression seems to have intensified in recent weeks: according to human rights organization Viasna, Belarus has 1078 political prisoners. People were arrested this week for participating in the anti-Lukashenko protests of 2020.

Belarus no longer neutral
In the new constitution the passage about the pursuit of neutrality and a world without nuclear weapons disappears. That seems to be a direct commitment to Russia, which this week launched its attack on Ukraine from Belarus' territory. As far as is known, no Belarusian soldiers have yet been involved in the Russian invasion. "Russia does not need our soldiers and ammunition," Lukashenko claims.

 

[Bit of hope]

And this happened in Belarus today. Referendum outcomes Referendum in Belarus over grondwet, terwijl regime aanval op Oekraïne steunt

As Russian tanks drive into Ukraine from Belarus, a referendum on a new constitution is being held in Belarus today. The outcome is already certain, in the dictatorially led country elections are characterized by massive fraud in favor of a positive result for the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.

The war in Ukraine is no reason to postpone the polls, says the electoral commission. Belarusian state media made virtually no mention of the Russian invasion of the neighboring country this week, while the attack on Kiev is being carried out from Belarus. This morning , Lukashenko acknowledged that missiles were fired at Ukraine "in self-defense", but denies that war is being waged from Belarus on Ukraine.

The constitutional amendment was already announced by Lukashenko at the end of 2020, in response to mass protests against his regime. At the time , the dictator said he would resign as soon as a new constitution was adopted, but that promise was not repeated later.

the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe "the unequal distribution of power in Belarus is actually further aggravated".

Protesting against the constitutional amendment is not possible, says Belarusian journalist Vladimir Aplevich. "Anyone who takes to the streets is immediately arrested and thrown in jail." There are also no demonstrations against the war in Ukraine, whereas there are demonstrations in Russian cities.

Repression seems to have intensified in recent weeks: according to human rights organization Viasna, Belarus has 1078 political prisoners. People were arrested this week for participating in the anti-Lukashenko protests of 2020.

Belarus no longer neutral
In the new constitution the passage about the pursuit of neutrality and a world without nuclear weapons disappears. That seems to be a direct commitment to Russia, which this week launched its attack on Ukraine from Belarus' territory. As far as is known, no Belarusian soldiers have yet been involved in the Russian invasion. "Russia does not need our soldiers and ammunition," Lukashenko claims.

 

[mickey2942]

Map: Which countries are accepting Ukrainian refugees?

This may become more of an issue if this escalates.