Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #4

[Mo Thuairim]

Feeling very sad for Ukraine tonight. I heard this song today for the first time, a famous Ukrainian folk song. It's hauntingly beautiful. Gave me chills. Ой у гаю, при Дунаю (In the Grove by the Danube).

 

[CSIDreamer]

A year ago, my sister bought a very fancy candle on Etsy from a seller in Ukraine. Gave her a five-star review as it was lovely and well-packaged.

Today my sister went to find her on Etsy so she can "buy" things in order to give her some income, of course without really buying anything.
Sadly, the woman's Etsy shop is now closed.

The woman in Ukraine posted some kind of note that the post office and shipping companies are not functioning, so she had no choice but to shutter her shop. However, the woman said that she is "selling" items for five dollars. That's what my sister did, and I'm going to do, with several shops in Ukraine.

I don't even know if there's anything left for them to buy.

Digital downloads.

 

[SouthAussie]

A year ago, my sister bought a very fancy candle on Etsy from a seller in Ukraine. Gave her a five-star review as it was lovely and well-packaged.

Today my sister went to find her on Etsy so she can "buy" things in order to give her some income, of course without really buying anything.
Sadly, the woman's Etsy shop is now closed.

The woman in Ukraine posted some kind of note that the post office and shipping companies are not functioning, so she had no choice but to shutter her shop. However, the woman said that she is "selling" items for five dollars. That's what my sister did, and I'm going to do, with several shops in Ukraine.

I don't even know if there's anything left for them to buy.

I wonder if payment from o/s would go through now ... with so many payment companies curtailing their business with Russia.
Please let us know if/how payment is successful.

 

[sunshineray]

Feeling very sad for Ukraine tonight. I heard this song today for the first time, a famous Ukrainian folk song. It's hauntingly beautiful. Gave me chills. Ой у гаю, при Дунаю (In the Grove by the Danube).

Thank you Mo for that, just beautiful <3

 

[Arkay]

Digital downloads.

I wonder if payment from o/s would go through now ... with so many payment companies curtailing their business with Russia.
Please let us know if/how payment is successful.

She paid her through PayPal. It seems to have gone through, but I'm holding my breath that my sister doesn't get some notification saying PayPal is sorry but couldn't process the payment.

@SouthAussie forgive my ignorance, but what is o/s?

 

[SouthAussie]

She paid her through PayPal. It seems to have gone through, but I'm holding my breath that my sister doesn't get some notification saying PayPal is sorry but couldn't process the payment.

@SouthAussie forgive my ignorance, but what is o/s?

Oops sorry ... it means overseas. Common Aussie slang for any country that is not our own country (because every country is overseas to us).

It would be interesting to know if the PayPal payment gets through to the vendor. If you ever hear.

 

[mickey2942]

Was just on the phone with my grandson in Vancouver. As he was walking past a gas station, he told me it was at $2.00 a litre. Ten minutes later on his way back the same sign posted $2.09. That's $9.50 a gallon

I have been watching "Gas Buddy" in our town. It has gone up over .50 a gallon since Monday. We were just out, Diesel fuel is over $5.00 a gallon now. That means higher prices for food. And everything else.

 

[dotr]

1 min ago
Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine (cnn.com)
''Russia has fired 600 missiles; 95% of amassed combat power now in Ukraine, senior US defense official says

From CNN’s Oren Liebermann

Russia has fired a total of 600 missiles since its invasion of Ukraine began, a senior US defense official said Sunday, and it has committed approximately 95% of its amassed combat power inside Ukraine.

The US observed ongoing fighting in Kherson and Mykolaiv on Monday and Russian forces are still trying to encircle Kyiv, Khakhiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol, according to the official.

But the advances have been met with strong Ukrainian resistance, slowing the Russian assault.

Meanwhile, the massive Russian convoy north of Kyiv that spans some 40 miles of road remains stalled, but there is no update on how far it is from Kyiv. Late last week, it was approximately 16 miles (25 kilometers) from Kyiv's city center.

The skies above Kyiv remain contested, and both Ukrainians and Russians retain a significant majority of their air combat power.

“We believe the Ukrainian people in most parts of the country still have means of communication, access to internet and the media,” the official added.

The official also said the US has not observed an amphibious assault near Odessa and they do not assess one is imminent.

The official could not confirm reports of Russians firing on protestors in Kyiv or violations of the ceasefire agreement to allow for humanitarian corridors. The official also could not corroborate reports the Russians are calling up reserves.''

 

[LadyL]

love this idea

In 2-day spree, 61K users book Airbnb stays in Ukraine with no plans to go - National | Globalnews.ca

 

[SouthAussie]

Two Tasmanian teachers who fled Ukraine's capital Kyiv as Russian forces started closing in around them have made it safely across the border into Romania — all the while clutching their beloved cats.

"We are very lucky internationals. Thank God for the European Union and Australia for going above and beyond," Ms Lehmann-Ware said.

The couple from Huonville in southern Tasmania — who have been living in Ukraine since July 2021 — crossed into Romania on foot yesterday with a few possessions and their three cats in a carry case.

"It was like something out of World War II," Ms Lehmann-Ware said.

"There were people, mainly woman and children, lined up everywhere and it started to snow.

"This is 2022 not 1922."

"There are 40 million Ukrainians who still aren't safe ....."

'It was like something out of WWII': Australian teachers flee Ukraine with their cats

 

[cujenn81]

Updated list:

Accenture PLC - consulting group discontinued business in Russia

Activision Blizzard - video game company halted all sales in Russia

Adidas - suspended partnership with the Russian Football Union

Adobe - suspended services in Russia

AERCAP - aircraft leasing firm suspended leases with Russian airlines

AirBnB - halted bookings in Russia

Airbus - halted supply of parts to Aeroflot

Alaska Airlines - suspended all Russian partnerships

Alcoa - aluminum producer suspended all business with Russia

Allianz - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Alphabet - suspended all operations in Russia

Amadeus IT Group - suspended all partnerships with Aeroflot

Amazon - deactivated some Russian sellers

AMD - suspended sales of sensitive technology to Russia

American Airlines - no longer flying over Russian airspace

American Express - exited Russian partnerships and suspended operations in Russia and Belarus

Anheuser-Busch - halted all shipments to Russia

Apple - closed all Russian stores, suspended all product sales, limiting access to digital services like Apple Pay, restricting the availability of Russian state media apps outside of Russia, deactivated the traffic feature in Apple Maps for all areas inside Ukraine

Asda - British supermarket chain removed Russian products from store shelves

ASOS - fashion retailer suspended sales in Russia

Assicurazioni Generali - Italian insurance company exited Russia completely

Aston Martin - halted all shipments to Russia

Atlas Copco - industrial tool and equipment manufacturer halted all shipments to Russia

Australian Swim Team World Championship - canceled swim meet in Russia

Autodesk - architectural and engineering software company suspended operations in Russia

Bain - suspended consulting services for all Russian entities

Baker McKenzie - multinational law firm suspended services for all Kremlin entities

BASF SE - German multinational chemical producer suspending new Russian relationships

BBC - suspended all operations in Russia

BCG - suspended all consulting services in Russia

Bentley - halted all shipments to Russia

BGR Government Affairs - lobbying firm no longer represents investors of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

BlackRock - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Bloomberg - pulling journalists from Russia

BMW - halted local production and exports to the Russian market

BNP Paribas - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Boeing - no longer providing technical support, maintenance, or parts to Russian airlines and cut ties with Russian partners

Bolt - e-commerce company suspended Russian partnerships

Bombardier - Canadian business jet manufacturer restricting new Russian business

Boohoo Group - British online fashion retailer halted all shipments to Russia

Booking - halted bookings in Russia

Boston Consulting Group - suspended business in Russia

BP - divested roughly 20% stake in Russian oil company Rosneft and announced the immediate resignation of two BP-backed Rosneft board members

Budweiser Budvar - halted all shipments to Russia

Burberry - paused all shipments to Russia

Canada Goose - suspended all wholesale and e-commerce sales in Russia

Cannes Film Festival - Russia excluded from upcoming events

Carlsberg - Danish multinational brewer suspended all business in Russia

Carnival Cruises - dropped Russia from all itineraries

Champions League Soccer Final - event moved from St Petersburg to Paris

Chanel - suspended all operations in Russia

Cisco - multinational technology conglomerate suspended all operations in Russia

CMA CGM - French container and shipping company halted all shipments to Russia

Cogent Communications - Internet provider cut ties with Russian customers

Credit Suisse - Swiss global investment bank and financial firm is curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Daimler Truck - suspended business activities (including the supply of civilian truck components) to Russian manufacturer Kamaz

Dassault Aviation - French aerospace company halted all shipments to Russia

DB Schenker - supply chain and management company halted all shipments to Russia

DELL - suspended relationship with Aeroflot airlines and halted all shipments to Russia

Delta - suspended code-share agreement with Aeroflot

Dentons - multinational law firm suspended services for all Kremlin entities

DHL - halted all shipments to Russia

Diageo - multinational alcoholic beverage distiller halted all shipments to Russia

DirectTV - “accelerating this year’s contract expiration timeline” of RT America and will no longer offer their programming (effective immediately)

Disney - pausing theatrical film releases

DSV A/S - Danish transport and logistics company halted all shipments to Russia

DXC Technology - multinational IT and consulting company suspended business in Russia

EA - suspended sales of its video games and other content (including virtual currency bundles) and removed Russian teams from EA Sports

eBay - halted all shipments to Russia

Electronic Arts - video game company suspended all operations in Russia

Eni - divested in Russian pipeline

EQUINOR - energy firm divested its joint ventures in Russia

Ericsson - halted all shipments to Russia

European Film Awards - excluded Russia from the upcoming event

Eurovision Song Contest - Russia banned from competing

Expedia - halted all bookings in Russia

ExxonMobil - ended its involvement in a large oil and natural gas project

Farfetch - online clothing retailer suspended deliveries in Russia

Fazer - Finnish food corporation suspended operations in Russia

FedEx - suspended Russian shipment deliveries

FIFA - Russian teams banned from participating in athletic competitions

Ford Motor Company - suspended operations and joint ventures in Russia

Formula 1 - suspended operations in Russia and terminated contract with the Russian Grand Prix; country will no longer host a Grand Prix for the foreseeable future

General Electric (GE) - halted supply of parts to Aeroflot

General Motors (GM) - suspended auto exports to Russia

Geodis - transport and logistics company halted all shipments to Russia

Global Foundries - multinational semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company halted all shipments to Russia

Google - banned state-owned media outlet RT and other Russian channels from collecting ad revenues

Grammarly - suspended operations in Russia

Grant Thornton - independent accounting and consulting firm closed business in Russia

Haas F1 Team - terminated contract with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali

Hapag Lloyd - container shipping company halted all shipments to Russia

Harley-Davidson - suspended all business in Russia

Henkel - German chemical and consumer goods company suspending investments in Russia

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) - halted all operations in Russia

Hermès - temporarily closed stores and pausing commercial activity in Russia

HMM - transport company halted all shipments to Russia

Honda - suspended auto and motorcycle exports to Russia

HP - halted all shipments to Russia

HSBC - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Hyundai - halted manufacturing in Russia

IKEA - paused imports to/from Russia and Belarus, halted retail operations, paused operations of its unit that produces wooden furniture, and suspended all business transactions in Russia and Belarus

Inditex - closed 502 stores (including Bershka, Stradivarius and Oysho)

Intel and AMD - suspended chip shipments

Intercontinental Exchange - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

International Cat Federation - Russian cats banned from competitions

International Cycling Union - Russian and Belarusian teams are banned from international competitions

International Ice Hockey Federation - ban on all Russian competition

International Paralympics Committee - Russian and Belarusian athletes banned from competing

International Skating Union - Russian and Belarusian skaters banned from international events (including the world championship in France later this month)

International Tennis Federation - suspending all Russian partnerships

International Weightlifting Federation - ban on all Russian competition

IOC - Russian athletes banned from competing

J Sainsbury - UK supermarket chain removed all products from Russia

Jaguar - suspended operations in Russia

JD Sports - sportswear company suspended operations in Russia

JPMorgan - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

JYSK - Danish household goods and furniture retailer suspended operations in Russia

Kering (brands include Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent) - closed all stores in Russia

Kinolife - Ukrainian film distributor will no longer distribute Hollywood films to Russia

Kinross Gold - Canadian gold and silver mining company suspended operations in Russia

Korean Air Lines - will no longer be flying over Russian airspace

KPMG - global network of audit and tax firms ended some Russian relationships

Kuehne + Nagel AG - Swiss transport company suspended all shipments to Russia

Land Rover - suspended operations in Russia

Lego - halted all shipments to Russia

Linklaters - multinational law firm suspended operations in Russia

Live Nation Entertainment - halted all operations in Russia

London Stock Exchange Group - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Lucerne Music Festival - Switzerland festival cancels two symphony concerts featuring Russian maestro and longtime backer of Putin, Valery Gergiev

Lumen Technologies - enterprise technology platform suspended new Russian relationships

LVMH (brands and subsidiaries include Louis Vuitton, Moët, Hennessy, Dior, Fendi, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Loewe, Kenzo, Fenty, TAG, Bulgari, Make Up For Ever, Belvedere, Benefit Cosmetics, Tiffany & Co, Sephora) — closed 124 stores in Russia

MAERSK - suspended all container shipments to/from Russia except those containing food, medical, and humanitarian supplies

Mango - Spanish megaretailer paused online sales and closing 55 stores in Russia

Marks & Spencer - British retailer halted all shipments to Russia

Mastercard - blocked multiple financial institutions from its payment network and suspended all operations in Russia

Mazda - halted all shipments to Russia

McKinsey & Co - consulting group suspended operations in Russia

Mercedes-Benz - halted all shipments to Russia

Mercury Public Affairs - PR firm no longer represents Sovcombank

META - restricted access to Russian state-owned media accounts in Ukraine and blocked state-owned media from earning ad revenue

Metso Outotec - Finnish provider of technology and services for mining, aggregates, recycling and metal refining industries halted all shipments to Russia

Michelin - halted all shipments to Russia

Microsoft - removed state-owned media mobile apps and banned state-owned media ads

Moncler - luxury fashion brand suspended operations in Russia

Moody’s - financial service company suspended operations in Russia

Morrisons - UK supermarket chain removed products from Russia

MSC - industrial supply company halted all shipments to Russia

MSCI - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Nasdaq - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

National Hockey League (NHL) - suspended Russian business deals

Net-a-porter - online fashion retailer suspended deliveries in Russia

Netflix - will not distribute news, sports, and entertainment channels from Russian state media and paused production on four Russian projects and acquisitions

Nike - suspended operations in Russia

Nintendo - halted all sales in Russia

Nissan - halted all shipments to Russia

Nokia - halted all shipments to Russia

Nordic Ski Federation - Russian skiers banned from competing in Norway

Norsk Hydro - Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company freezing all Russian investments

Nvidia - technology company halted all sales in Russia

Ocean Network Express - container shipment company suspended bookings to/from Russia

OMV - oil producer divested from Russian projects

OneWeb - global satellite Internet service provider suspended use of Russian airspace

Oracle - suspended operations in Russia

Panasonic - suspended operations in Russia

Paramount - pausing new content releases in Russia

Payoneer - suspended services in Russia

PayPal - suspended services in Russia

Prada - suspended operations in Russia

Puma - halted deliveries to Russia

R&A - golf governing body banned all Russian competition

Reddit - restricted access to the r/Russia subreddit

Remitly Global - digital financial service provider stopped accepting new users in Russia

Renault - car manufacturer closed Russian plants

Richemont (brands and subsidiaries include Dunhill, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Cartier, Chloé, Piaget, and Van Cleef & Arpels) - suspended commercial activity in Russia

Roberti Global - PR firm no longer represents investors of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Roku - removed state-owned Russian channels

Rolls Royce - halted all shipments to Russia

S&P - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

SABRE - airline ticket sale company suspended all activities in Russia

Samsung - suspended shipments in Russia

Sandvik - industrial engineering group halted all operations in Russia

SAP - IT software company halted all sales to Russia

Schalke - Germany soccer club severed sponsorship with Gazprom

Shell - divested several ventures with Gazprom totaling roughly $3bn in revenue

Sidley Austin - PR group no longer represents VTB bank

Siemens - tech company is freezing new business in Russia

Siemens Energy AG (Independent) - freezing new business in Russia

SNAP - suspended Snapchat ads in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine and halting ad sales in Russia and Belarus

Societe Generale - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Sony Pictures - pausing theatrical film releases

Spotify - closed its Russian office and removed state-owned media ads

State Street - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Subaru - halted all shipments to Russia

Swatch - halted exports to Russia

Sylvamo - paper mill suspended operations in Russia

The Metropolitan Opera - no longer “works with artists or institutions that support Putin or are supported by him”

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra - no longer working with the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev and Gergiev Festival will not take place in September

Tik Tok - removed all Kremlin generated propaganda and ads; suspended livestreaming and new content to our video service in Russia

TJX Companies (TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods) - divested its minority investment in Russian off-price retailer Familia and halted purchases in Russia and Belarus

TotalEnergies - energy company halted all shipments to Russia

Twitter - removed all Kremlin created propaganda and ads

Uber - divested from partnership with Yandex

UEFA (European Football Associations) - banned Russian teams from participating in athletic competitions

Under Armour - halted all shipments to Russia

United Airlines - will no longer be flying over Russian airspace

Universal Pictures - pausing new content releases in Russia

UPS - suspended Russian shipments

Valero Energy - suspended all purchases of Russian crude oil

Venable - lobbying group no longer represents Sberbank

Visa - blocked multiple financial institutions from its payment network and suspended all operations in Russia

Volkswagen (VW) - suspended car deliveries to Russian dealerships and shut down operations in Russia

Volvo - suspended auto exports to Russia

Waitrose - British supermarket removed all products from Russia

Warner Brothers (WB) - pausing theatrical film releases

White & Case - international law firm suspended services for all Kremlin entities

Wise PLC - digital finance company suspended all Russian partnerships

World Federation of Exchanges - suspending all Russian members and affiliates

World Governing Body for Track & Field - Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials banned from events (including the World Athletics Championships in Oregon this summer and the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade)

World Rugby Union - ban on all Russian competition

World Tennis Association - suspending Russian partnerships

WPP PLC - PR firm suspended all operations in Russia

WWE - halted all operations in Russia

Yoox - suspended deliveries in Russia

YouTube - temporarily demonetized Russian state-owned RT and other channels and limiting access to these channels

Zara - suspended business in Russia

 

[LadyL]

Ukraine: Civilians killed trying to flee Russian attacks on capital

 

[LadyL]

Justin Trudeau departs for Europe to meet with allies on Ukraine

 

[worldwatcher]

Naval vessel Zr.Ms De Zeven Provinciën departs for NATO fleet association, today.

Nederlands marineschip vertrekt voor training met NAVO-bondgenoten | NU - Het laatste nieuws het eerst op NU.nl

The air defense and command frigate Zr.Ms. De Zeven Provinciën will leave Den Helder next Sunday = today. Over the next four months, the naval vessel will join Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), one of the rapid-deployment fleet groups from NATO's flash force. Minister Kajsa Ollongren waves goodbye to the approximately 190 crew members. Earlier in the morning, Zr.Ms. Rotterdam to Norway.

The SNMG1 is mainly active in the North Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The fleet consists of naval vessels from various NATO allies. The ships participate in various large exercises such as Cold Response near Norway to strengthen mutual cooperation. Above all, they are available 24/7 for orders from NATO headquarters.

Sr.Ms. De Zeven Provinciën is equipped with a NH90 maritime combat helicopter of the Defense Helicopter Command (DHC). The naval vessel takes the multipurpose frigate Zr.Ms. Van Amstel, which is currently part of SNMG1. The Netherlands will command the maritime task group throughout 2022. This is currently in the hands of the Dutch commander Ad van de Sande.

Earlier in the morning, Zr.Ms. Rotterdam. The amphibious transport ship with approximately 275 soldiers on board is also taking part in the large Cold Response exercise. The ship is equipped with 2 Cougar helicopters of the Defense Helicopter Command and landing craft of the Marine Corps. Sr.Ms. Rotterdam is also part of the NATO response force. The ship has a slightly longer response time than Zr.Ms. The Seven Provinces.

To add:
"The Netherlands also contributes to the flash force. Throughout the year, the Netherlands has, among other things, a transport ship, a warship, a submarine, medical capacity, a diving team and approximately 1500 army soldiers on standby.

This afternoon the Dutch naval vessel Zr.Ms. The Seven Provinces towards Norway. This ship will join Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) there for the next 4 months . This is one of the fast deployable fleet groups from the flash force.

It is a training mission, but if necessary, the ship can be quickly prepared to fight in the war in Ukraine."

Nederland geeft een bijdrage aan de flitsmacht, maar wat is dat?

 

[dotr]

March 6 2022 rbbm.
Trudeau arrives in U.K. to start four-country consult with allies on Ukraine response | The Star
''The British defence ministry said Sunday in an intelligence update that Russia’s tactics in Ukraine were comparable to their previous pummeling of cities in Chechnya in 1999 and Syria in 2016 with airstrikes and artillery, after Russian forces faced unexpected resistance. The intelligence report said the strength of Ukrainian fighters continues to surprise the Russians, and that the bombing of cities, including Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol represented an effort to break Ukrainian morale.

In a one-hour conversation on Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease the fighting in an attempt to address humanitarian concerns and try to find a political solution.

The Kremlin said Putin replied that Russia’s military action in Ukraine could be halted “only if Kyiv ceases hostilities and fulfills the well-known demands of Russia.”

''On Monday, Trudeau will compare notes with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London, where they will be joined by their Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte.
In the following days, Trudeau is to meet with other leaders in Riga, Latvia, Berlin and Warsaw, Poland.''

 

[Herat]

Russian banks turn to Chinese payments system after Visa and Mastercard suspend operations

This article is behind a paywall, but a couple of comments:

Russian banks turn to Chinese payments system after Visa and Mastercard suspend operations
Sberbank and Alfa Bank plan to use China’s UnionPay, as world's financial system splinters

Sberbank and Alfa Bank said the UnionPay network will be coupled with Russia’s own state-backed Mir payment system, which was set up in response to Western sanctions following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Visa and Mastercard cards issued in Russia will not work outside the country while cards from elsewhere cannot be used within Russia.

Note: ( This is effective Wed March 9) Same with American Express. The alignment of Russian banks with China isn't really surprising. Issuing their own credit cards is going to be a news system for Russia. They already started doing something like that after the 2014 Crimea invasion sanctions.

 

[LadyL]

Russian attacks halt plans to evacuate Ukrainian civilians

 

[LadyL]

Abandoned shopping mall near Ukraine-Poland border offers sanctuary, friendship for refugees

 

[LadyL]

Putin miscalculated if he thinks West will move on after Ukraine invasion: ambassador

 

[LadyL]

US and Europe weigh plans for Ukrainian government in exile