Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #4

[Tillicum]

Russian forces are approaching Ukraine's second-largest nuclear facility, US ambassador to the UN says

From CNN's Masha Angelova and Hira Humayun

Russian forces are approaching Ukraine’s second-largest nuclear facility, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at the UN on Friday.

“Russian forces are now 20 miles, and closing, from Ukraine’s second-largest nuclear facility,” she said without naming the plant.
According to Energoatom, the overseeing body of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, Ukraine’s second-largest nuclear facility — in terms of power generation capacity — is Yuzhnoukrainsk Nuclear Power Station in the Mykolaiv Oblast, in southern Ukraine.

Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine

ETA: Map of Nuclear Plant Locations
(Source: Map shows Ukraine's 15 active nuclear reactors, including the 6-reactor complex just captured by Russia)
View attachment 335592

We have a 69 year old psycho leader playing a game of nuclear 'chicken' with NATO while the world watches in terror.

 

[LadyL]

He can spin that lie but nobody's buying. Putin's Poo Poo. Moo...

well unfortunately there are Russians who believe him

 

[Dontknow?]

The Kyiv Independent@KyivIndependent·16m️Multiple explosions heard in Kharkiv.
Residents are asked to go to the nearest shelter.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1499910568727220226?s=20&t=LSxl6k23kdX9OrLX-kWEAw

 

[dotr]

Snippets of potential outcomes, positives and negatives @link..
Ukraine: How might the war end? Five scenarios - BBC News
By James Landale Diplomatic correspondent
''Short war
Under this scenario, Russia escalates its military operations. There are more indiscriminate artillery and rocket strikes across Ukraine. The Russian air force - which has played a low-key role so far - launches devastating airstrikes. Massive cyber-attacks sweep across Ukraine, targeting key national infrastructure. Energy supplies and communications networks are cut off.''
''Long war
Perhaps more likely is that this develops into a protracted war. Maybe Russian forces get bogged down, hampered by low morale, poor logistics and inept leadership. Maybe it takes longer for Russian forces to secure cities like Kyiv whose defenders fight from street to street. A long siege ensues''

''European war
Might it be possible this war could spill outside Ukraine's borders? President Putin could seek to regain more parts of Russia's former empire by sending troops into ex-Soviet republics like Moldova and Georgia, that are not part of Nato. Or there could just be miscalculation and escalation. Mr Putin could declare Western arms supplies to Ukrainian forces are an act of aggression that warrant retaliation''

''Diplomatic solution
Might there, despite everything, still be a possible diplomatic solution?
'' Diplomats say feelers are being stretched out to Moscow. And, surprisingly, Russian and Ukrainian officials have met for talks on the border with Belarus. They might not have made much progress. But, by agreeing to the talks, Putin seems to at least have accepted the possibility of a negotiated ceasefire.''

''Putin ousted
And what of Vladimir Putin himself? When he launched his invasion, he declared: "We are ready for any outcome."
But what if that outcome was him losing power? It might seem unthinkable. Yet the world has changed in recent days and such things are now thought about.''

 

[mickey2942]

We have a 69 year old psycho leader playing a game of nuclear 'chicken' with NATO while the world watches in terror.

I really don't know what to think. Ukraine is not a member of NATO. What is the responsibility of the West? Where does it stop? If China decides to take over Taiwan, do we just say..."Well, we are going to put a sanction on you.". China doesn't need us as much as we need them.

Heck, we are helping Putin fund his war, by buying Russian oil. Sounds like we have already chosen our "side".

 

[Sundog]

US senators to meet virtually with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

U.S. Senators will meet virtually tomorrow with President Zelensky at 9:30 a.m. ET.

 

[Tiff23fr]

We have a 69 year old psycho leader playing a game of nuclear 'chicken' with NATO while the world watches in terror.

Are we simply delaying the inevitable at this point as each day goes by? Each day I wonder when and how this ends. If Russia takes Ukraine, what happens next? Are the sanctions dropped, the media moves on and the world moves forward? Does this allow him to move on to his next target? Does Russia stay disconnected socially (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) forever so they can’t go back and read what happened?

 

[Sundog]

Finland's Niinistö: Putin seems to be on a path to destroy Ukraine

Video of interview today with President of Finland and discussion about the possibiity of Finland joining NATO, what he thinks about the NATO decision not to establish a no fly zone over Ukraine, and how he sees Putin's mental state now, given his many meetings with Putin over the years. Finnish President talks about Putin's bitterness about the loss of the Soviet Union and how it has grown over the years, his bitterness and hatred.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

well unfortunately there are Russians who believe him

Yes, the ones who only have access to government owned and therefore pro- government news. Propaganda.

Russian families are being divided: the younger generation seeing a broad range of media / social media, chatting with international friends, and learning a very different truth to the one their parents and grandparents believe because their news source boils down to one.

It’s easy to see how it happens; there are political stalwarts in all nations who choose to believe whatever their leader feeds them.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Are we simply delaying the inevitable at this point as each day goes by? Each day I wonder when and how this ends. If Russia takes Ukraine, what happens next? Are the sanctions dropped, the media moves on and the world moves forward? Does this allow him to move on to his next target? Does Russia stay disconnected socially (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) forever so they can’t go back and read what happened?

And the other problem is war crimes charged to Putin. They better be leveled. That's a death sentence. Is he going to hide until he dies from old age?

 

[CoverMeCagney]

And the other problem is war crimes charged to Putin. They better be leveled. That's a death sentence. Is he going to hide until he dies from old age?

Honestly, I think he would choose to die rather than face any trial. He’s a control freak, he’ll kill himself if it even gets close to him being carted off to prison. Like Hitler.

 

[escape2sc]

I was wondering about the first Gulf War because neither Kuwait or Iraq were NATO members but there was a US led coalition to force Iraq out of Kuwait. I found out it was authorized by a UN Security Council Resolution, a resolution that cannot pass now because it requires an unanimous vote of the 5 members of the Security Council - the US, UK, Russia, China and France. The U.N. Charter says that countries involved in a dispute on any resolutions for a peaceful settlement have to abstain which none of the 5 members will enforce because it sets a precedent for when they are involved in a dispute.
I understand there are great risks involved in defending a non-NATO country from invasion and utter destruction. I understand the self-preservation of the 5 member Security Council for not forcing a member involved in a conflict to abstain.

I understand the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the one..but it is gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking to see a non-NATO country's freedom and it's citizens slaughtered and valued less than the freedom and citizens of a NATO country. To me it is the same as my neighbor's house being on fire with their family members trapped inside and I offer to help them and use my water hose as long as not one drop of water crosses over my property line.

In this age of cancel culture where things are removed, banned, etc to not offend anyone...the whole world gets to watch as a country and it's people are cancelled by Putin.

 

[dotr]

War in Ukraine: The Russians leaving Russia for Finland - BBC News
''At Vaalimaa, Finland's border crossing with Russia - 120 miles east of Helsinki - buses and cars stop for passport and customs checks. These aren't Ukrainians, they're Russians, and although the flow isn't heavy, it is constant.

Some people are anxious to get out of Russia because there has been a persistent rumour that President Vladimir Putin's government might soon introduce martial law to deal with demonstrations against the invasion of Ukraine.
With flights to Europe halted, the only way out of the country is by car - crossing this border - or by train.
We spoke to one young Russian woman who was leaving for the West - one of the lucky ones who had an EU visa before the sanctions were announced. She was in despair at what has been happening.
"People in Ukraine are our people - our family," she said. "We shouldn't be killing them." Would she think of going back, I asked? "Not while our dreadful government is there. It is so, so sad."

Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine (cnn.com)
''At the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Beijing on Friday, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons called for peace in his speech -- but a large part of his message was censored by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.''

''CCTV’s live commentary didn’t translate his description of the events taking place in the world, and most of the speech that followed. It also lowered the volume of Parsons’ speech on the broadcast and paused the sign language interpreters on screen.

During the Opening Ceremony, Parsons was seen clapping as the 20 athletes competing for Ukraine were introduced. But the scene of Parsons cheering for the Ukraine delegation was also censored, replaced with a wide shot of the stadium by the state broadcaster. ''

 

[Tiff23fr]

And now this, I feel this delivers a message in and of itself.


Chinese state broadcaster censors call for peace at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony

At the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Beijing on Friday, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons called for peace in his speech -- but a large part of his message was censored by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

“Tonight, I want to begin with a message of peace. As the leader of an organization with inclusion at its core, where diversity is celebrated and differences embraced, I am horrified at what is taking place in the world right now,” Parsons said, likely in reference to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The 21st century is a time for dialogue and diplomacy, not war and hate,” he added.

CCTV’s live commentary didn’t translate his description of the events taking place in the world, and most of the speech that followed. It also lowered the volume of Parsons’ speech on the broadcast and paused the sign language interpreters on screen.

Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine

 

[shotgun09]

US senators to meet virtually with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

U.S. Senators will meet virtually tomorrow with President Zelensky at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Well, I for one know where Senator Lindsay Graham stands. No big secret there

 

[155etta]

Another consequence of not only armed conflict in Ukraine, but potential soil contamination from radioactivity or chemical weapons. :

Severe worldwide wheat shortages

Analysis: Russia-Ukraine conflict highlights wheat supply vulnerability

We are wheat farmers in the USA and prices are crazy! My husband is beside himself checking the markets several times daily.

 

[dotr]

March 4 2022
''Enemy of humankind’: Ex-Russian oligarch speaks out about Putin''

War in Ukraine: Women take up arms in Kyiv
Mar 4, 2022

 

[CSIDreamer]

Well, I for one know where Senator Lindsay Graham stands. No big secret there

Yes. He said what we all think.

 

[Gemmie]

What is further disturbing me other than the obvious (war in Ukraine and potential to become a nuclear world war) is the fact that more than a million have fled Ukraine and they are only 34.5% fully vaccinated against CV19. I looked this data up when I saw a 4+ minute video of people fleeing the country, and out of the hundreds of people I saw, in various different areas, all bunched up together, I only saw TWO masks. One was worn as a chin decoration so it doesn't even count. That gave me pause and it really worries me.

Source is here, but I find the above pic fr Google search results easier on the eyes, but I did want to supply the source page that image came from: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations

 

[SouthAussie]

We are wheat farmers in the USA and prices are crazy! My husband is beside himself checking the markets several times daily.

Australia has a bumper wheat crop this year, due to an excellent growing season, and the increased orders are coming in because of the attack on Ukraine and its ramifications.

(My mum, who was a young RAF aircraft mechanic at the end of WWII, always used to say that - unfortunately - war is good for the economy.)


Black Sea Chaos Prompts Buyers To Seek Australia Wheat In Advance
Russia-Ukraine war: Australian wheat will dominate South-east Asia as Black Sea exports falter
https://graingrowers.com.au/news/record-wheat-harvest-in-australia-welcome-news