Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #5

[CSIDreamer]

It would be like handing Texas back to Mexico, yes. Just not the done thing if it’s against the citizens’ wishes. Imagine the uproar? This is what we’re up against.

USA and Europe are of a similar size and a near equal number of states/countries. So, you give away Texas, are they gonna go for Louisiana or Oklahoma next? That ok? Shift the borders then just invade the next bit for more land? Where does it stop?

I don’t know what the answer is politically, geographically or morally, but I do know that for as long as Putin breathes he is a danger to ALL his neighbours. Perhaps he’ll want Alaska back next, at only 55 miles away it’s a lot closer than most of Europe.

None of us are safe until he’s dead, in my opinion.

I agree on the dead part.

Zelensky is also a popularly elected President, who is wildly loved. Can you imagine him turning on the people of Ukraine like that?

Not to mention, we all know he would not stay President of Ukraine.

JMO

 

[sunshineray]

Wow these Russian Moms sure put this guy on the spot. He even brought up Afghanistan in explanation of it being ok their boys didn't know where they were going or that they would invade Ukraine.

'Sent As Cannon Fodder': Locals Confront Russian Governor Over 'Deceived' Soldiers In Ukraine

 

[Herat]

Today should be the last day Aeroflot ( and associate airlines) as well as other foreign-owned airlines in Russia are flying into the free world.

On March 8, the Russian Ministry of Aviation will not fly foreign-owned aircraft to foreign destinations. This edict may affect more than 60% of the airplanes in Russia,

With the current embargo on flights into Russia, that leaves Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air Qatar as the largest airlines that will be able to enter or exit Russian-controlled territory.

So if you wanted to go from Moscow to Tokyo, you would have to fly Turkish Airlines to Istanbul, then on to Tokyo.

If you wanted to go to from Moscow to London, you would have to fly either through Istanbul or Doha, or UAE

Maybe this is why Putin is making a "peace" offering today??

 

[Herat]

It would be like handing Texas back to Mexico, yes. Just not the done thing if it’s against the citizens’ wishes. Imagine the uproar? This is what we’re up against.

USA and Europe are of a similar size and a near equal number of states/countries. So, you give away Texas, are they gonna go for Louisiana or Oklahoma next? That ok? Shift the borders then just invade the next bit for more land? Where does it stop?

I don’t know what the answer is politically, geographically or morally, but I do know that for as long as Putin breathes he is a danger to ALL his neighbours. Perhaps he’ll want Alaska back next, at only 55 miles away it’s a lot closer than most of Europe.

None of us are safe until he’s dead, in my opinion.

None of us are safe until he’s dead, in my opinion.

I agree completely.

 

[Cool Cats]

Governments hit back at Russia on Twitter: 'We can't stay silent on this one'

When Ukraine was attacked on Twitter, the German embassy couldn't just stay quiet.

On Twitter, official Russian government accounts defended the country's actions in invading Ukraine, including one from the embassy in South Africa that read, "We appreciate your support and glad you decided to stand with us today, when Russia, like 80 years ago, is fighting Nazism in Ukraine!"

The tweet thanked South African followers for supposedly sending letters supporting Russia's invasion. Germany's embassy in South Africa clapped back on Twitter, calling out Russia for "slaughtering innocent children, women and men for its own gain."

"It's definitely not 'fighting Nazism'," @GermanEmbassySA tweeted on Saturday. "Shame on anyone who's falling for this. (Sadly, we're kinda experts on Nazism.)"

The tweet - which has been largely praised online and shared more than 15,000 times - is one of many posts from usually staid, official government accounts that during the war have shed formality for a distinctly more casual and sharp social media tone, one that is generally more common between individuals or corporate brands snapping back at each other.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Russian banks are looking into issuing cards that operate on a Chinese payment system after American Express, Visa and Mastercard cut off services in Russia citing the invasion.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi expressed little hope that peace talks will result in an end to the war. Russia will continue to pound Ukraine until “the country has surrendered, probably installs a friendly government and defeats the resistance. That’s what the facts demonstrate.”

The number of refugees who have fled Ukraine surpassed 1.7 million on Monday, and an EU official warned the number could reach 5 million.

Russia is recruiting Syrian mercenaries to fight its war in Ukraine, a senior Defense Department official said Monday. There are no indications that Syrians had arrived in Ukraine. The recruiting effort is noteworthy given what the official described as Russia’s struggles to overcome significant resistance from Ukrainians.

Meanwhile, nearly 100% of the Russian combat forces Putin deployed to Ukraine’s borders are now inside the country. The official said the main force of Russian troops appears stalled outside Kyiv. Ukrainian airspace remains contested, the official said, with Ukraine able to fly the majority of its warplanes.

Ukraine live updates: Talks begin; Russia may be recruiting Syrians

 

[whiterhino]

Russian banks are looking into issuing cards that operate on a Chinese payment system after American Express, Visa and Mastercard cut off services in Russia citing the invasion.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi expressed little hope that peace talks will result in an end to the war. Russia will continue to pound Ukraine until “the country has surrendered, probably installs a friendly government and defeats the resistance. That’s what the facts demonstrate.”

The number of refugees who have fled Ukraine surpassed 1.7 million on Monday, and an EU official warned the number could reach 5 million.

Russia is recruiting Syrian mercenaries to fight its war in Ukraine, a senior Defense Department official said Monday. There are no indications that Syrians had arrived in Ukraine. The recruiting effort is noteworthy given what the official described as Russia’s struggles to overcome significant resistance from Ukrainians.

Meanwhile, nearly 100% of the Russian combat forces Putin deployed to Ukraine’s borders are now inside the country. The official said the main force of Russian troops appears stalled outside Kyiv. Ukrainian airspace remains contested, the official said, with Ukraine able to fly the majority of its warplanes.

Ukraine live updates: Talks begin; Russia may be recruiting Syrians

I've read that Russian government is offering $300 to recruit Syrian "soldiers".

US says Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters to aid in the Ukraine invasion and help take Kyiv: report

"Deir Ezzor 24, a media outlet based in Syria, reported last week that Russia was offering $200 to $300 for Syrian mercenaries willing to go to Ukraine for six months to "operate as guards." The outlet said Russia was contracting Syrians who fought in Libya's civil war. "

Is this real? How much is $300 in a place like that? Is this a one time payment? Who would give up their life for $300? There won't be anyone left to spend it or anything left to buy if this continues.

 

[Bit of hope]

Today should be the last day Aeroflot ( and associate airlines) as well as other foreign-owned airlines in Russia are flying into the free world.

On March 8, the Russian Ministry of Aviation will not fly foreign-owned aircraft to foreign destinations. This edict may affect more than 60% of the airplanes in Russia,

With the current embargo on flights into Russia, that leaves Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air Qatar as the largest airlines that will be able to enter or exit Russian-controlled territory.

So if you wanted to go from Moscow to Tokyo, you would have to fly Turkish Airlines to Istanbul, then on to Tokyo.

If you wanted to go to from Moscow to London, you would have to fly either through Istanbul or Doha, or UAE

Maybe this is why Putin is making a "peace" offering today??

There is NO peace offering.....he keeps on killing people, prevents people to flee...third day in a row....

 

[Bit of hope]

None of us are safe until he’s dead, in my opinion.

I agree completely.

And if he goes...are we??

 

[Bit of hope]

I've read that Russian government is offering $300 to recruit Syrian "soldiers".

US says Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters to aid in the Ukraine invasion and help take Kyiv: report

"Deir Ezzor 24, a media outlet based in Syria, reported last week that Russia was offering $200 to $300 for Syrian mercenaries willing to go to Ukraine for six months to "operate as guards." The outlet said Russia was contracting Syrians who fought in Libya's civil war. "

Is this real? How much is $300 in a place like that? Is this a one time payment? Who would give up their life for $300? There won't be anyone left to spend it or anything left to buy if this continues.

I think it's a lot, but going to war with the Russians...on the way there is food shortage,...food that has been over time for years....in my mind this people are scrupulous and will lash out.....the rapes are yet to come. (sorry, don't know how to say this in a more civilized way)

 

[Herat]

Interesting

Ukranian-flagged Ilyushin II flight ID UR-COE flying south out of Lublin, Poland right now.

BTW, the Air Moldova plane landed in Antalya Turkey.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Is this real? How much is $300 in a place like that? Is this a one time payment? Who would give up their life for $300? There won't be anyone left to spend it or anything left to buy if this continues.

It’s a months wages to the average Syrian, and I dare say those accepting it would be earning a lot less than that. You’re looking at an equivalent of maybe $5000-10000 blood money, basically. Tempting, if you’re already a bit skint. Even more tempting if you hate the west.

 

[Bit of hope]

Interesting

Ukranian-flagged Ilyushin II flight ID UR-COE flying south out of Lublin, Poland right now.

BTW, the Air Moldova plane landed in Antalya Turkey.

Knowing the enormous hospitality of the Turkish people...they will have a pleasant evening.

 

[Herat]

I've read that Russian government is offering $300 to recruit Syrian "soldiers".

US says Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters to aid in the Ukraine invasion and help take Kyiv: report

"Deir Ezzor 24, a media outlet based in Syria, reported last week that Russia was offering $200 to $300 for Syrian mercenaries willing to go to Ukraine for six months to "operate as guards." The outlet said Russia was contracting Syrians who fought in Libya's civil war. "

Is this real? How much is $300 in a place like that? Is this a one time payment? Who would give up their life for $300? There won't be anyone left to spend it or anything left to buy if this continues.

I think this is a sign of trouble in the Russian troops.

It sounds like they are, by and large, young untested troops who may or may not feel the pressure of invading their relatives and neighbors.

The open casting for Warner Group mercenaries and Syrian fighters tells me that Putin is not getting the results he wanted.

It also tells me he would "obviate the truth" in pulling Russian troops in a cease-fire, but leave the ruthless and uncontrollable paid mercenaries. Thereby giving him plausible deniability.

"Those aren't Russian guys slaughtering, pilaging, and raping Ukranians" he would say with a sly smile.

 

[Herat]

Knowing the enormous hospitality of the Turkish people...they will have a pleasant evening.

Undoubtedly so.

The recent shelling of Odessa from Russian ships in the Black Sea may be rattling enough Moldovans that are starting to think about evacuation

 

[mickey2942]

I think it's a lot, but going to war with the Russians...on the way there is food shortage,...food that has been over time for years....in my mind this people are scrupulous and will lash out.....the rapes are yet to come. (sorry, don't know how to say this in a more civilized way)

With complete plausible deniability, because they are not actually members of Russian military. Neat side step of any responsibility. It is like setting wolves into a sheep pasture. And Putin knows it.

 

[dotr]

Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations
''1 Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations1 is amended by adding the following in numerical order:

1. Mikhail Albertovich MURASHKO (born in 1967)
2. Dmitry Nikolayevich PATRUSHEV (born in 1977)
3. Vladimir Rudolfovich SOLOVYOV (born in 1963)
4. Margarita Simonovna SIMONYAN (born in 1980)
5. Oleg Vladimirovich DERIPASKA (born in 1968)
6. Pavel Vladimirovich KRASHENINNIKOV (born in 1964)
7. Victor Evdokimovich GAVRILOV
8. Dmitry IVANOV
9. Konstantin Lvovich ERNST (born in 1961)
10. Dmitry Sergeyevich PESKOV (born in 1967)

2 Items 187, 258 and 328 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations are repealed.

Application Before Publication
3 For the purpose of paragraph 11(2)(a) of the Statutory Instruments Act, these Regulations apply according to their terms before they are published in the Canada Gazette.''

 

[Herat]

With complete plausible deniability, because they are not actually members of Russian military. Neat side step of any responsibility. It is like setting wolves into a sheep pasture. And Putin knows it.

This is why Putin can never be trusted. His promises mean nothing. Nothing at all. He always has plans to circumvene his statement's face value.

 

[Herat]

I wonder if Aeroflot will continue to fly St. Petersberg to Kaliningrad after tomorrow.

That leaves Russia a second port on the Baltic, wedged between Lithuania and Poland

Far too close to Allied operations for me.

 

[Herat]

From Aljazzera:

Nearly 100 percent of pre-staged Russian forces in Ukraine: US official
Russian President Vladimir Putin has now deployed into Ukraine nearly 100 percent of the more than 150,000 forces that he had pre-staged before the invasion, a senior US defence official had said.

“That’s our best estimate right now,” the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Twelve days after starting its invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces have largely stalled north on Kyiv and still do not control the skies over Ukraine, increasingly relying on missile and artillery strikes.