Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #5

[Bit of hope]

So, evacuations have started ......


" .... on Tuesday, video posted by Ukrainian officials showed buses with people moving along a snowy road from the eastern city of Sumy and yellow buses with a red cross on them heading toward the southern port of Mariupol.

“The Ukrainian city of Sumy was given a green corridor, the first stage of evacuation began,” the Ukrainian state communications agency tweeted.

In one of the most desperate cities, Mariupol, an estimated 200,000 people — nearly half the population of 430,000 — hoped to flee."

I sincerely hope they all can get on their way, without being shot to death, shelled...etc. There is no water, electricity, food, medical necessities for days now....They were deceived, lie after lie in the last couple of days, trying to break them and robbed them from hope. Is it really going to happen now? And they will actually get into safety.....where is it? Safe?

 

[PommyMommy]

Russian soldiers murder volunteers helping starving animals near Kyiv (kyivindependent.com)

[...]

They had just delivered dog food to a dog shelter that had run out of it and were on their way back to pick up Ustymenko’s parents.

They had just nearly made it home. As the car was approaching their house, there was a deafening sound.

A Russian vehicle – witnesses identify it as either a tank or an infantry fighting vehicle – opened fire on the car.

When the shooting stopped, Valeriy Ustymenko, the father of Serhiy, ran to the car. Everyone inside was already dead.

He dragged out the three bodies and took them to his basement, where he has been hiding from the constant shelling, like most people in Bucha.

Three days later, the bodies are still there. Due to shelling, they can’t be buried. Their friends and families can’t say goodbye to their loved ones.

[...]

 

[sunshineray]

Finally some rational thought is happening?


https://mobile.twitter.com/ASLuhn/status/1501136014110347264

 

[PommyMommy]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 4 hours ago
These are the indicative estimates of Russia's losses as of March 8, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.


The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Ukraine's military: As Russian invasion slows down, FSB is using tactical groups to intimidate and spread terror among civilians to crush Ukrainian resistance in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Yanukovych addresses Zelensky, urges him to stop fighting.
Ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, who lives in Russia since being ousted in 2014, asks Zelensky to “overcome his pride” and stop the war at any cost.
Yanukovych’s letter to Zelensky was published by the Russian media.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 3 hours ago
️21 civilians, including 2 children, killed in Russian attack on Sumy.
Russian forces bombed a residential neighborhood in Sumy in the early hours of March 8.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Zelensky: "While Russians are to blame for the killings, responsibility is shared by those who for 13 days in their Western offices haven’t been able to approve an obviously necessary decision, who didn’t save our cities from these bombs and missiles – although they can."

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Zelensky: "International Committee of the Red Cross is forbidding us to use their emblem on the humanitarian mission vehicles.
It's very revealing. Some influential people would rather 'cross out' Ukraine."

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Zelensky: "If the world stands aside, he will lose itself forever.
Because there are some unconditional values. First of all, the right for life. This is what we are fighting for here, in Ukraine. This is what the world needs to protect."

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 35 minutes ago
The United Nations Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi earlier called the outflow from Ukraine "the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II."

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Germany investigates Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
German Prosecutor General Peter Frank has opened an investigation into Russia's use of cluster munitions, shelling of residential buildings, gas pipelines, and nuclear waste disposal sites, the Spiegel reported.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 7 minutes ago
️Ukrainian General Staff: Belarus may be preparing for sending troops to Ukraine.
Belarus has regrouped its forces and deployed some of them to the Ukrainian border near the city of Brest and the village of Aleksandrovka in Gomel Oblast, the General Staff said on March 8.

 

[sunshineray]

The land mines are/were apparently on the route out of Mariupol. Although it doesn't say who placed the land mines there.

Sometimes I think that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. An evacuation route being proposed, while perhaps not knowing at the time that the route had already been mined.



A top International Red Cross official told the BBC on Monday that a proposed humanitarian zone in Mariupol, Ukraine, was lined with land mines, the latest sign of the struggle to allow women and children to flee Russia’s war on the country.

“That is why it is so important that the two parties have a precise agreement for us then to be able to facilitate it on the ground”

Stillhart said some Red Cross staff had tried to take the proposed route out of Mariupol before realizing that it was mined.

Russian and Ukrainian officials have tried for days to agree to limited ceasefires that would allow women and children to evacuate to safer areas and give international aid workers safe passage to those needing care.
Land mines littered a proposed route for Ukrainians to flee, Red Cross official says

Unconscionable conduct...to mine an escape route, out of a city that's been blasted to kingdom come for days, there's nothing left there but the civilians trapped and hiding...for what strategic purpose could that even make sense? In my opinion, none.

 

[sunshineray]

I just on saw BBC world News TV a short piece of a new video taken by President Zelensky outside in the new fallen snow, mentioning Spring, looking more up beat. He even winked at the camera and said, according to the BBC translation, "We will win".

Then another new video was shown of Zelensky in his office, stating exactly where he was and saying he had no fear, he's not afraid. He was looking very much different than a few days ago when he said it's the end of the world.

Maybe a good end to the fighting is getting near? Praying it's so <3

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 7, 2022
‘Beyond understanding’: Odesa braced to see if Putin attacks city of such resonance for Russians | Ukraine | The Guardian
The tourist cafes are behind barricades. The grand opera house is surrounded by a wall of sandbags. Tank traps block the approaches to the legendary Potemkin steps. Nobody in Odesa can quite believe that Vladimir Putin would launch an assault on this city, a place bound to Russia by family, literary and cultural ties, a place of almost mythical resonance for many Russians.

But then, Putin’s armed forces have done lots of things in recent days that seemed unthinkable just two weeks ago.

“I don’t know what kind of a , idiot or ******* you have to be to press the button for missiles to fall on Odesa,” said the city’s mayor, Gennady Trukhanov, in an interview at a building in the centre of the city where he has moved for security reasons. “It’s beyond the limits of my understanding.”

[,,,]

 

[LadyL]

Ukrainian Biathlete Pulls Out of Paralympic Race After Father Captured by Russians

 

[sds71]

The Biden administration is poised to impose a ban on U.S. imports of Russian energy as soon as Tuesday without the participation of its European allies, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News reports.


[URL="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-08/biden-set-to-ban-u-s-imports-of-russian-oil-as-soon-as-today-l0i5xa32"]Biden Set to Ban U.S. Import of Russian Oil as Soon as Today

Weijia Jiang[/URL]
NEW updated WH schedule: The President will announce new actions against Russia in about two hours. It doesn’t specify what they are, but the conversation has been focused on banning Russian oil for days.

 

[PommyMommy]

NEXTA on Twitter - 2 hours ago
️UPD. Evacuation of civilians from #Mariupol derailed for the third time - #Ukrainian media reports

NEXTA on Twitter
️#Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports that the occupiers are attacking the humanitarian corridor near #Mariupol.

NEXTA on Twitter - 1 hour ago
Zelensky's new statement:
- #Sumy was hit by air bombs. A child was killed in #Mariupol. Ukraine has been fighting for 13 days.
- #Russia has not lost as many aircraft in the past 30 years as it did in 13 days in #Ukraine.

NEXTA on Twitter
A shipment of NLAW grenade launchers and instructors from #NATO countries arrived in #Kharkiv. The Azov regiment was the first to learn about new weaponry

NEXTA on Twitter - 21 minutes ago
️The European Union declared the responsibility of #Belarus for the situation in #Ukraine

The #EU views the Lukashenka regime as a co-aggressor in the war that #Russia started against Ukraine.

This is stated in the EU statement.

 

[cujenn81]

AP source: Biden to ban Russia oil imports

This comes from my local news station but AP is reporting.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Biden was set to announce the move as soon as Tuesday, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter before an announcement. The White House said Biden would speak Tuesday morning to announce “actions to continue to hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked and unjustified war on Ukraine.”

The U.S. will be acting alone, but in close consultation with European allies, who are more dependent on Russian energy supplies. Natural gas from Russia accounts for one-third of Europe’s consumption of the fossil fuel. The U.S. does not import Russian natural gas.

Also —

Gas prices are now the most expensive in US history, breaking record from 2008


After days of dramatically rising gas prices in wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the national average for a gallon of gas is now the highest in United States history, breaking the record that stood for nearly 14 years.

As of Tuesday morning, the cost of regular gas in the U.S. is $4.17, according to AAA, up from $4.06 on Monday. Last week, the average cost was $3.60.

The previous national average high was $4.11, set on July 17, 2008, according to AAA.

 

[sunshineray]

Finally found the Zelensky "wink" video I spoke of...

https://mobile.twitter.com/felix_li...56975.ampproject.net/2202230359001/frame.html

 

[JerseyGirl]

Ukraine: Frozen stars send messages of support to girl singing Let It Go

Indina Menzel tweeted: "We see you. We really see you," alongside blue and yellow hearts, the Ukrainian flag colours.

The song's composer Kristen Anderson-Lopez also posted a message addressed to "Little Girl with the beautiful voice".

She wrote on Twitter: "My husband and I wrote this song as part of a story about healing a family in pain. The way you sing it is like a magic trick that spreads the light in your heart and heals everyone who hears it. Keep singing! We are listening!"

Josh Gad, who voiced Olaf the snowman, added: "My heart is overwhelmed. These poor children. These poor people. I want to hug and protect this and every other child in danger right now and I feel helpless."

Thousands of others have also responded to the video, including Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and singer Imelda May, who invited Amelia to sing with her on on stage when she was able to.

British TV host Holly Willoughby was visibly emotional while introducing the video on ITV's This Morning.

Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko tweeted: "The courage of the children in shelters is mindblowing."

 

[dotr]

34 min ago

''NATO must "ensure that conflict does not spread beyond Ukraine," says alliance chief
Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine (cnn.com)
NATO has a "responsibility to ensure that the conflict does not spread beyond Ukraine," said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Speaking during a joint press conference in Riga with the Latvian President Egils Levits on Tuesday, Stoltenberg remarked that the "suffering we now see in Ukraine is horrific."

We have a responsibility to ensure the conflict does not escalate and spread beyond Ukraine. That would be even more dangerous, destructive, and even more deadly. The situation could spiral out of control," Stoltenberg said.
In response to the situation and to "make sure there is no room for miscalculation in Moscow" NATO has "significantly strengthened" its presence in the eastern part of the alliance, Stoltenberg added.

"We have 130 jets at high alert. Over 200 ships from the high north to the Mediterranean, and 1000s of additional troops in the region," the NATO chief continued.

NATO will "protect and defend every inch of allied territory," Stoltenberg said.''

 

[CSIDreamer]

Just to clarify something here, as I'm a bit miffed. I realize tensions and emotions are off the charts, but still.

The International Red Cross is losing their minds along with everyone else. While I'm not necessarily a fan of them, they've been on the ground trying to work on evacuations every time they've failed. They aren't part of the war. There is no reason for anyone to start using Red Cross symbols on their own equipment. The Red Cross is neutral and trying desperately to evacuate civilians.

Rant over.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1501136976447168512?t=gYB78yAx9sKbGxkBWXXUOQ&s=19

️Zelensky: "International Committee of the Red Cross is forbidding us to use their emblem on the humanitarian mission vehicles.

It's very revealing. Some influential people would rather 'cross out' Ukraine."

 

[Kiranerys]

Haha! Oh I don't know sooner or later he'll have to check in with the Bear riders or some other physical activity. Maybe a cook's assistant can slip him something...maybe a stewardess will be a heroine

I'd like to think one of his daughters may have the conscience her father is lacking and do the world a favour by inviting him for family dinner!

 

[Bit of hope]

Just to clarify something here, as I'm a bit miffed. I realize tensions and emotions are off the charts, but still.

The International Red Cross is losing their minds along with everyone else. While I'm not necessarily a fan of them, they've been on the ground trying to work on evacuations every time they've failed. They aren't part of the war. There is no reason for anyone to start using Red Cross symbols on their own equipment. The Red Cross is neutral and trying desperately to evacuate civilians.

Rant over.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1501136976447168512?t=gYB78yAx9sKbGxkBWXXUOQ&s=19

️Zelensky: "International Committee of the Red Cross is forbidding us to use their emblem on the humanitarian mission vehicles.

It's very revealing. Some influential people would rather 'cross out' Ukraine."

hmmm

 

[CSIDreamer]

hmmm

Not understanding your post?

 

[Bit of hope]

Not understanding your post?

Meaning...don't know what to think of it. Having doubts on what to think of it....double feelings. Thinking about it....question mark...maybe this is an expression only to understand in Dutch...sorry...

 

[PommyMommy]

In Photos: Fortress Kyiv (rferl.org)

2A woman walks in front of a concrete blockade and anti-tank obstacles known as "Czech hedgehogs." The metal obstacles can stop light armored vehicles and remain effective even if knocked out of position by an explosion.

3Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces at a Kyiv movie theater used as a base by the volunteer fighting force on March 7.

5Members of the Territorial Defense Forces play checkers with Molotov cocktails in Kyiv on March 6. A reported 100,000 civilian volunteers have signed up to the Defense Forces since Russia launched a full invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

6A Ukrainian serviceman at a bunker in a forest on the outskirts of Kyiv on March 6.

13A volunteer waits for the end of curfew in the basement of a building in Kyiv on March 7. Thousands of Kyiv civilians are currently sheltering underground in basements that double as bomb shelters, and in the city's subway system, amid fears Russia will launch missiles into the center of the capital.