Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #4

[CoverMeCagney]

Other nationalities of vodka are still available (I recommend Polish)

Supermarkets remove Russian vodka from shelves

 

[worldwatcher]

French Aircraft Carrier Now Supporting NATO
The French Navy (Marine Natiionale) aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its air wing has started supporting NATO's enhanced Vigilance Activities in the Black Sea region following a short logistical stop in Cyprus.
French Aircraft Carrier Now Supporting NATO - Naval News

The
@French_CSG
set sail again yesterday after a few days of port call in Cyprus. #Clemenceau22 continues, but the mission evolves to adapt to the current geopolitical situation. The flexibility of the carrier vessel nuclear and her escort is once again a major asset.



https://twitter.com/MarineNationale/status/1499462610760130560?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1499462610760130560|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/03/french-aircraft-carrier-now-supporting-nato/

 

[Tiff23fr]

Excerpt:
Russia has completely blocked access to Facebook, the country’s media regulator said Friday as it accused the site of “discrimination” against state propaganda sites.

The move comes as Vladimir Putin’s government cracks down on dissent amid his brutal invasion of Ukraine. It also comes days after Facebook owner Meta blocked access to Russian state propaganda outlets RT and Sputnik in the European Union.

In response, Facebook said it would do everything it could to restore service in Russia.

“Soon, millions of people will find themselves cut off from reliable information, deprived of their everyday ways of connecting with family and friends and silenced from speaking out,” said Nick Clegg, the president of global affairs for Facebook’s parent company, Meta.

Russia blocks Facebook for propaganda sites 'discrimination'

 

[Elley Mae]

Direct attacks on a massive Russian convoy outside Kyiv, coupled with a destroyed bridge in the convoy’s path, have stalled the Russian forces about 15 miles north of the city, a senior defense official said Friday. Meanwhile, Ukraine retains a “significant majority” of its air combat power, as Russia remains unable to establish air supremacy.

Direct attacks and a destroyed bridge have slowed Russian convoy advance on Kyiv, US defense official says

 

[worldwatcher]

Have you guys ever heard of Cyber Partisans ?
Here is something I just read....

“Cyber Partisans is a highly organized collective, which is part of a bigger coalition called Suprativ. Cyber Partisans’ members are all Belarusian, trying to overthrow Lukashenko’s regime. They’re fighting the oppression of people in Belarus, and now they’re trying to help Ukrainians. They’re not professional hackers, they all worked in the IT sector and only started their hacktivist work after the protests in 2020. I don't know where they reside right now, I hope they’re not in Belarus.”

How Hacktivists Are Fighting Russia With Their Keyboards

 

[dotr]

Lengthy.
By Maria Korenyuk and Jack Goodman
World Service Disinformation Team
Published
53 minutes ago
Ukraine war: 'My city's being shelled, but mum won’t believe me' - BBC News
''Oleksandra and her four rescue dogs have been sheltering in the bathroom of her flat in Kharkiv since the shelling began.

"When I heard the first explosions, I ran out of the house to get my dogs from their enclosures outside. People were panicking, abandoning their cars. I was so scared," she says.

The 25-year-old has been speaking regularly to her mother, who lives in Moscow. But in these conversations, and even after sending videos from her heavily bombarded hometown, Oleksandra is unable to convince her mother about the danger she is in.

"I didn't want to scare my parents, but I started telling them directly that civilians and children are dying," she says.

"But even though they worry about me, they still say it probably happens only by accident, that the Russian army would never target civilians. That it's Ukrainians who're killing their own people."

''Oleksandra says her mother just repeats the narratives of what she hears on Russian state TV channels.

"It really scared me when my mum exactly quoted Russian TV. They are just brainwashing people. And people trust them," says Oleksandra.

"My parents understand that some military action is happening here. But they say: 'Russians came to liberate you. They won't ruin anything, they won't touch you. They're only targeting military bases'."

 

[Tiff23fr]

Lengthy.
By Maria Korenyuk and Jack Goodman
World Service Disinformation Team
Published
53 minutes ago
Ukraine war: 'My city's being shelled, but mum won’t believe me' - BBC News
''Oleksandra and her four rescue dogs have been sheltering in the bathroom of her flat in Kharkiv since the shelling began.

"When I heard the first explosions, I ran out of the house to get my dogs from their enclosures outside. People were panicking, abandoning their cars. I was so scared," she says.

The 25-year-old has been speaking regularly to her mother, who lives in Moscow. But in these conversations, and even after sending videos from her heavily bombarded hometown, Oleksandra is unable to convince her mother about the danger she is in.

"I didn't want to scare my parents, but I started telling them directly that civilians and children are dying," she says.

"But even though they worry about me, they still say it probably happens only by accident, that the Russian army would never target civilians. That it's Ukrainians who're killing their own people."

''Oleksandra says her mother just repeats the narratives of what she hears on Russian state TV channels.

"It really scared me when my mum exactly quoted Russian TV. They are just brainwashing people. And people trust them," says Oleksandra.

"My parents understand that some military action is happening here. But they say: 'Russians came to liberate you. They won't ruin anything, they won't touch you. They're only targeting military bases'."

This is heartbreaking. I can’t imagine how many are in a similar situation to this young lady.

 

[whitelilac]

This is my fear too.

Washington's Newest Worry: The Dangers of Cornering Putin

WASHINGTON — Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine.

more:

Washington's Newest Worry: The Dangers of Cornering Putin

 

[dotr]

• [URL='https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/who-are-russia-s-oligarchs-and-why-are-they-important-1.5805941']Russia sanctions: What is an oligarch? | CTV News
  
  [/URL]
  Who are Russia's oligarchs and why are they important?

March 4 2022 rbbm.
''According to Merriam-Webster's definition, an oligarch is "a member or supporter of an oligarchy," which is a government where a small group exercises control over political decisions, "especially for corrupt and selfish purposes."

In the case of Russia's elite, the term oligarch can relate to those powerful few who used personal connections after the collapse of the Soviet Union to take over previously state-owned industries, thereby profiting from Russia's new capitalism.

With this in mind, a Russian oligarch either has direct or perceived power in Russia's state of affairs, despite not necessarily being elected to government positions by Russia's electorate.''

 

[whitelilac]

Excerpt:
Russia has completely blocked access to Facebook, the country’s media regulator said Friday as it accused the site of “discrimination” against state propaganda sites.

The move comes as Vladimir Putin’s government cracks down on dissent amid his brutal invasion of Ukraine. It also comes days after Facebook owner Meta blocked access to Russian state propaganda outlets RT and Sputnik in the European Union.

In response, Facebook said it would do everything it could to restore service in Russia.

“Soon, millions of people will find themselves cut off from reliable information, deprived of their everyday ways of connecting with family and friends and silenced from speaking out,” said Nick Clegg, the president of global affairs for Facebook’s parent company, Meta.

Russia blocks Facebook for propaganda sites 'discrimination'

I am noticing that this may be in effect.

FB has a very active worldwide artists community. It's how we all stay in touch. I have several Russian friends (vehemently anti war). The last post I see from any of them was 8 hours ago.

As for my Ukrainian friends and contacts....it's appalling what they are going through. Several have made it to Hungary or Poland, but many are still in Kyiv, Odessa, Poltava and other locations within the country.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Lengthy.
By Maria Korenyuk and Jack Goodman
World Service Disinformation Team
Published
53 minutes ago
Ukraine war: 'My city's being shelled, but mum won’t believe me' - BBC News
''Oleksandra and her four rescue dogs have been sheltering in the bathroom of her flat in Kharkiv since the shelling began.

"When I heard the first explosions, I ran out of the house to get my dogs from their enclosures outside. People were panicking, abandoning their cars. I was so scared," she says.

The 25-year-old has been speaking regularly to her mother, who lives in Moscow. But in these conversations, and even after sending videos from her heavily bombarded hometown, Oleksandra is unable to convince her mother about the danger she is in.

"I didn't want to scare my parents, but I started telling them directly that civilians and children are dying," she says.

"But even though they worry about me, they still say it probably happens only by accident, that the Russian army would never target civilians. That it's Ukrainians who're killing their own people."

''Oleksandra says her mother just repeats the narratives of what she hears on Russian state TV channels.

"It really scared me when my mum exactly quoted Russian TV. They are just brainwashing people. And people trust them," says Oleksandra.

"My parents understand that some military action is happening here. But they say: 'Russians came to liberate you. They won't ruin anything, they won't touch you. They're only targeting military bases'."

This is one reason that, unfortunately, all Russians are going to have to suffer from sanctions. It isn’t like all Russians are completely aware how evil and oppressive their leadership is. Many of them do find this acceptable. Nothing will change, even marginally, until they all get fed up. JMO

 

[Tiff23fr]

I am noticing that this may be in effect.

FB has a very active worldwide artists community. It's how we all stay in touch. I have several Russian friends (vehemently anti war). The last post I see from any of them was 8 hours ago.

As for my Ukrainian friends and contacts....it's appalling what they are going through. Several have made it to Hungary or Poland, but many are still in Kyiv, Odessa, Poltava and other locations within the country.

It appears YouTube and Twitter may now be blocked as well.
https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1499837776656678915?s=20&t=Q_WA6krIdpjqNda33QWAFw

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1499831979369549828?s=20&t=JP-IVCE8OEQaxEvd-JAD9w

ETA:
Russia has completely blocked access to Facebook in retaliation for the platform placing restrictions on state-owned media.

It was later reported that it had also blocked Twitter. The Russian state communications regulator said access had been restricted, according to the state-owned Ria news agency.

Russia blocks access to Facebook and Twitter

 

[worldwatcher]

“The Pentagon has established a new hotline with Russia's ministry of defense to prevent "miscalculation, military incidents and escalation" in the region as Russia's invasion of Ukraine advances

The "deconfliction" hotline would be an open phone line based at the European Command's headquarters and would fall under Air Force General Tod Wolters, who leads all U.S. forces on the continent.

"In our initial test of it, (the Russians) answered the phone," the official said.

Russian troops were still about 25 km (16 miles) away from Kyiv's city center, largely unchanged over the past few days.”

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...ajority-of-its-military-aircraft-u-s-official

Also,it seems that Putin took his family to a Siberian secret bunker
Putin Underground City: Putin has built ‘Secret City’ in the mysterious mountains, nuclear bomb also neutralized, hid ‘Girlfriend’? – PressWire18

In this article - there is also an oversight of Putins family:
Here is a look at Putin's family, who are reportedly hiding in a secret Siberian underground bunker

 

[Herat]

Oddly enough there is some USAF action west of Hawaii where two Stratotankers are hanging out, possibly refueling 2 US Navy planes out farther west of Hawaii

There is also some sort of aircraft running very erratically southwest of the Big Island of Hawaii: HBAL577 and it is right now at 66,000 ft and only 17 kt speed ?

Have no idea what is going on there.

And, DUH, I finally realized the Stratotankers over eastern Romania are re-fueling the Eurostar Typhoon fighter planes. The FR24 receivers don't always pick up the Typhoons, so there may have been there all along and we don't see them on FR24 until some other transponder is used.

OK: HBAL577 and HBAL547 are two non-governmental high-altitude balloons. HBAL577 has an airplane icon. HBAL547 has a balloon icon. Now it makes sense.

Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24

 

[Turkeytrot]

This is my fear too.

Washington's Newest Worry: The Dangers of Cornering Putin

WASHINGTON — Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine.

more:

Washington's Newest Worry: The Dangers of Cornering Putin

Same here. Feels like a very dangerous fine line..

 

[dotr]

March 4 2022
BBC suspends reporting from inside Russia in face of 'fake' news law, blocking of Western websites | CBC News
''The BBC has said it is temporarily suspending the work of all its journalists and support staff within Russia after the upper house of parliament approved a draft law on Friday that would impose a jail term of up to 15 years for people who intentionally spread "fake" information about Russia's armed forces.

Its Russian news service will continue to operate from outside the country while the broadcaster assess the implications of the proposed law, which is expected to take effect once Russian President Vladimir Putin signs it, as he is widely expected to do.

"The safety of our staff is paramount, and we are not prepared to expose them to the risk of criminal prosecution simply for doing their jobs," the BBC director-general Tim Davie said in a tweet.

"We remain committed to making accurate, independent information available to audiences around the world, including the millions of Russians who use our news services. Our journalists in Ukraine and around the world will continue to report on the invasion of Ukraine."

 

[worldwatcher]

According to the Dutch media:
'War is getting rougher, because Russia has run out of precision munitions'

The word says it all. While Russia figured out exactly what and where to bomb in the first days of the war, it is now increasingly the inner cities that have to pay the price. This is worrying, says De Wijk. "With the precision ammunition, the damage is limited. Now it's getting rougher."

'New line from Belarus'
So, rougher, but not faster. Because according to De Wijk, there is still not too much progress in the Russian case. Meanwhile, the first major city has been conquered: Kherson, in the south. "But the long column above Kiev is progressing slowly, from Belarus a new line has now been opened that should tackle the city from the west. Kiev is therefore very slowly being surrounded."

'Oorlog wordt ruiger, want Rusland is door precisiemunitie heen'

 

[mommylicious]

“The Pentagon has established a new hotline with Russia's ministry of defense to prevent "miscalculation, military incidents and escalation" in the region as Russia's invasion of Ukraine advances

The "deconfliction" hotline would be an open phone line based at the European Command's headquarters and would fall under Air Force General Tod Wolters, who leads all U.S. forces on the continent.

"In our initial test of it, (the Russians) answered the phone," the official said.

Russian troops were still about 25 km (16 miles) away from Kyiv's city center, largely unchanged over the past few days.”

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/a...ajority-of-its-military-aircraft-u-s-official

Also,it seems that Putin took his family to a Siberian secret bunker
Putin Underground City: Putin has built ‘Secret City’ in the mysterious mountains, nuclear bomb also neutralized, hid ‘Girlfriend’? – PressWire18

In this article - there is also an oversight of Putins family:
Here is a look at Putin's family, who are reportedly hiding in a secret Siberian underground bunker

You know, I never really even stopped to think about the fact that he must have a family. I wonder what his daughters and their spouses think of what's going on.

 

[dotr]

rbbm
Are Chinese military components stalling Russian progress in Ukraine? - World News (indiatoday.in)

The remains of Russian military vehicles line a road in Bucha, Ukraine, on March 1 (Photo: AP)

''As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, visuals of abandoned Russian military trucks and equipment stuck on muddied roads continue to circulate on social media. Numerous examples of such leftover military equipment left in semi-functional condition have military observers scratching their heads. These wheeled assets include not only traditional armoured fighting vehicles (AFV), but also modern, sophisticated weapon systems mounted on wheeled chassis, such as the Pantsir-S1 self-propelled short-range air-defence (SHORAD) systems.
Several immobile KamAZ-based military trucks, wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APCs), and short-range tactical surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems are also on the list''

''Military observers and enthusiasts are now blaming "Made-in-China" military components for Ukraine's sputtering military wheels.
According to businessman and consultant Karl Muth, who has advised governments on civilian, diplomatic, and intelligence capabilities, the real culprits in this case are Chinese components.
Karl also highlighted the poor quality and lack of testing of Chinese military tyres, which are commonly used in Russian military wheeled chassis.''

''He pointed out that it wasn't just vehicle parts, but also military radios made in China.''

 

[sunshineray]

Thousands of people living in the area near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine are unable to evacuate because of ongoing shelling by Russian forces, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations said.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya accused Russia of lying about its takeover of the country’s biggest nuclear power plant.

Russia’s defence ministry has blamed the overnight attack at the site of the Zaporizhzhia plant on Ukrainian saboteurs, calling it a “monstrous provocation”. Its account has directly contradicted Ukraine’s version of events.

Ukraine has said Russian forces attacked the plant in the early hours of Friday, setting an adjacent five-storey training facility on fire.

Russia-Ukraine war latest news: ‘world narrowly averted nuclear catastrophe’ over Zaporizhzhia fire, says US envoy to UN – live

Putin and his minions are outright lying. I watched on CNN World News, in the wee hours last night, two separate men explaining what happened while playing the video from the site.

One was Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the other was Petro Kotin, President of National Nuclear Energy Generating Co.

I believe them hands down.