Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #5

[CoverMeCagney]

Above respectfully snipped by me.

All of which is correctable in the very near and short term. There's plenty of 'clean' oil & gas suppliers out there (I live in one such place) who are able to and willing to supply. Germany needs to make use of them rather than continue to buy 'dirty oil', no matter how cheap it is, from the Russians. That oil money is now what is funding the continued occupation, war and aggression in Ukraine.

It's not really complicated - it's about money. The time for supporting dictatorships should be DONE. The world needs to cease and desist from funding their corruption and aggression (sometimes against their very own citizens - Hey! Saudi Arabia!) else the world deems that oil is more highly valued.

You'd think we'd have learned this lesson ages ago. Shame on us.

Thank you, Vern. Europe would be very appreciative of some nice Canadian oil! Not sure you have enough left over to supply the whole continent though; it is a major problem unless the gas guzzling nations like USA and China are prepared to reduce consumption and share a bit.

This is from the link I posted in my last post, you can see it’s not straightforward for Europe at all:



In a nutshell:

USA produces 19 million barrels a day but uses 20 million. No biggie, they can probably break even.

China makes 5mb but uses 14 so is in huge deficit.

(USA and China use a third of the worlds oil between them)

Canada makes 5m and only uses 2.5m.

Russia and Saudi combined make 21 million barrels but use less than 7 million. They have by far the most spare.

And therein lies the problem.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Oh I think Putin wants the Ukraine back. It's a huge part of his "Russian World".

There's a movie called Citizen K. It's about a Russian oligarch and his downfall. He was at one time the richest man in Russia.

Putin is also in this movie.
At 7:28 minutes in, he's at a question and answer type thing where s young girl asks him, "What happened in your life that most influenced you?

"Something that happened in my life?"
"Yes", she says
He pondered it and said, "I will try to answer this seriously. After all probably, it is the collapse of the Soviet Union."
Little girl smiles at him and he adds, " It's an adult answer, I'm sorry. It's was an adult question."

IMO, the land isn't fighting him, the people are. My point of posting about history is the way Russia has tried to exterminate Ukrainians. Putin is just another in a long line. It's nothing original.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Thank you, Vern. Europe would be very appreciative of some nice Canadian oil! Not sure you have enough left over to supply the whole continent though; it is a major problem unless the gas guzzling nations like USA and China are prepared to reduce consumption and share a bit.

This is from the link I posted in my last post, you can see it’s not straightforward for Europe at all:

View attachment 335882

In a nutshell:

USA produces 19 million barrels a day but uses 20 million. No biggie, they can probably break even.

China makes 5mb but uses 14 so is in huge deficit.

(USA and China use a third of the worlds oil between them)

Canada makes 5m and only uses 2.5m.

Russia and Saudi combined make 21 million barrels but use less than 7 million. They have by far the most spare.

And therein lies the problem.

I don’t think it's straightforward for anyone at this point. We all have to think along with letting emotions rule the day. You know, I hope, I'm not directing that at you personally. JMO

 

[sds71]

Ed O'Keefe
@edokeefe

BIDEN: "Russian oil will no longer be accepted at U.S. ports."
"The United States will share the cost of caring for the refugees" so Europe doesn't bear all the costs,
“I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price hike here at home,”

“It’s no excuse to exercise excessive price increases. … It’s no time for profiteering or pride-gauging,”
@POTUS says in a message to the energy sector and their bankers.
“It’s simply not true that my administration is holding back domestic energy production. It’s simply not true,”

Biden notes there are 9,000 federal gas leases available for domestic oil production that aren’t being used. Adds the country must become “energy independent” and less dependent on Russia or other international energy suppliers.

 

[CSIDreamer]

N

Ed O'Keefe
@edokeefe

BIDEN: "Russian oil will no longer be accepted at U.S. ports."
"The United States will share the cost of caring for the refugees" so Europe doesn't bear all the costs,
A line we’ll hear again soon: “I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price hike here at home,”

“It’s no excuse to exercise excessive price increases. … It’s no time for profiteering or pride-gauging,”
@POTUS
says in a message to the energy sector and their bankers.
“It’s simply not true that my administration is holding back domestic energy production. It’s simply not true,”

Biden notes there are 9,000 federal gas leases available for domestic oil production that aren’t being used. Adds the country must become “energy independent” and less dependent on Russia or other international energy suppliers.

Why don't we just leave NATO as well? Alaska to Russia = 55 miles. Wait for it. JMO

 

[Skigh]

Ukraine-Russia live updates: Zelenskyy giving first ever address by foreign leader to Commons - as report suggests he's 'torn' over deal offered by Russia

 

[Arkay]

N


Why don't we just leave NATO as well? Alaska to Russia = 55 miles. Wait for it. JMO

Actually, at their closest, the USA and Russia are 2.5 miles apart. Big Diomede (Russia) and Little Diomede (USA) are in the Bering Strait that separates Alaska and Russia. When the ice freezes it’s possible to walk from the US to Russia and vice-versa.

I know Putin is a power-hungry, conscienceless megalomaniac, but I don’t know if even he would dare to take that step.

He doesn’t want to destroy Ukraine, he wants to regain Ukraine. But in not being able to regain it, he’s willing to destroy it.

IMO he thought he’d swoop in and regain Ukraine in two or three days. He didn’t expect Zelenskyy to set the tone of bravery that has inspired Ukraine to resist.

His sights are set on being the one to reunify the former USSR in his lifetime. I think he sees that Ukraine is resisting, but thinks he will eventually conquer it. Then he expects the other former Soviet republics to capitulate to him so their countries do not suffer as Ukraine has.
JMO

 

[dotr]

Analysis: Ukraine, Russia, and Alaska's both strategic and fragile position - Must Read Alaska
by Suzanne Downing-
February 22, 2022
''The campaign volunteer that day, opposing oil tax increases, was surprised the Ukrainians had a fluency with the U.S. Constitution that easily matched that of a well-educated American. They had an adoration for the Constitution of the sort you might encounter in someone who enjoyed talking baseball st at rbbm.istics, a particular genre of music, or some variety of cuisine. But their reverence was far stronger.

“I believe that they also could have flawlessly recited the Declaration of Independence, each taking one line after the other. It was somewhat humbling to me. We all can too easily take for granted what is handed to us,” the campaign volunteer said this week.

Who were these Ukrainian men? They were in Juneau as fish processing laborers. It’s not unusual for people from eastern Europe, the Philippines, or Mexico to come to Alaska in groups to work in the seafood industry. They liked the work, they said, but would soon leave for home at the end of their current contract rather than begin a new contract .

Why? “The Russians are killing our women and babies.” These were articulate, educated men, not the kind you would not expect to back down from a fight.''

A Russian incursion into Ukraine will likely affect the Arctic — but exactly how is unclear - ArcticToday
rbbm.
by Melody Schreiber -
January 25, 2022

''The tension in Ukraine is also “a reminder to us that we better be on the alert everywhere,” Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, told ArcticToday last week — going so far as to suggest the possibility of Russian military activity in the Bering Strait, near Alaska.

“Right now, the eyes of the country are trained on the Ukraine border down there. But who’s to say that while everybody’s looking that way, we don’t see other activity on the other side of the country — the side of the country that’s 57 miles separated by water from the United States?” Murkowski asked.''

''Some observers worry that Russia could take action elsewhere along its massive borders — including in the Arctic.
“Our neighbors on the Russian side are stepping up all level of activity, with either new runways or renovated or dusted-off military installations,” Murkowski said. “There is a level of buildup that we can see — this is not speculation.”

 

[Herat]

What's the capacity of the planes you're watching? Very interesting, indeed. JMO

Just checked. The Airbus a321-211, which are the dominant-sized Airbus planes being used in Russian Airbus fleets have a maximum capacity of 200. I guess it's really a mini-Airbus

The really big Airbus, the A380 is rated for 835 passengers, but due to configurations for business and first class usually holds 500 passengers.

Not all Airbusses are created equal. It's really just a company name. Likewise, all Airbus helicopters are not created equal. The largest, the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma can be configures for 15 passengers.

Thanks for putting up with my my mistakes. I'm learning all this as we go.

 

[CrimeAway]

I apologize if this has been posted already. The DM has an article on Putin's invasion that contains many good pictures which I have not seen elsewhere. Additionally, I had not realized prior to seeing some of these pictures that the bridge in Irpin was destroyed to the extent that pallets had to be placed across the rushing, cold water, to allow people to cross.

Ukraine war: Kremlin officials privately denounce 'clusterf***' invasion | Daily Mail Online

I've included a screenshot of one photo of a shelled building, that really stood out. It shows such a juxtaposition between innocent normality in the foreground, and terrifying destruction in the background. JMO.

 

[dotr]

U.S. bans all Russian oil and gas imports, Biden announces | CBC News
Updated: 21 minutes ago
''The U.S. imported roughly 200,000 barrels a day of Russian crude oil last year, and about twice that much of refined products, like fuel oil and other distillates. That makes up about 10 per cent of U.S. consumption every day. The administration says it's confident it can find alternative sources without any additional pain on the U.S. economy.

European nations are far more dependent on Russian oil and are not in any position to quickly replace that supply, which is why they have so far been reluctant to outright ban it.

"We're moving forward, understanding that many of our European allies may not be in a position to join us," Biden said. "We can take this step when others cannot."

 

[CSIDreamer]

Just checked. The Airbus a321-211, which are the dominant-sized planes being used in Russian Airbus fleets have a maximum capacity of 200. I guess it's really a mini-Airbus

The really big Airbus, the A380 is rated for 835 passengers, but due to configurations for business and first class usually holds 500 passengers.

Not all Airbusses are created equal. It's really just a company name. Likewise, all Airbus helicopters are not created equal. The largest, the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma can be configures for 15 passengers.

Thanks for putting up with my my mistakes. I'm learning all this as we go.

I remember my first over the ocean flight. I squeaked "wait we're flying in a football field". You are doing great, no worries! I was just wanting a feel of how many people might be on those people movers. JMO

 

[dotr]

Canada to extend NATO mission in Baltics | The Star
''RIGA, Latvia—Canada will extend its NATO military mission in Latvia, which was due to end next year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.

It is welcome news to many of the military commanders here.

In an interview before the announcement, Canada’s top soldier told the Star that Canadian soldiers leading the NATO battle group in a country bordering Russia are on the “frontlines of freedom.”


Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of defence staff, was speaking after chatting to many of the troops on exercises.

He said with the war in Ukraine and fears of Russian expansionism, the work of Canadian soldiers has taken on new meaning.

“They see renewed purpose and why they’re here. It’s the frontline of freedom.”

 

[CrimeAway]

President Zelenksyy addressed the British Parliament:

 

[Bit of hope]

U.S. bans all Russian oil and gas imports, Biden announces | CBC News
Updated: 21 minutes ago
''The U.S. imported roughly 200,000 barrels a day of Russian crude oil last year, and about twice that much of refined products, like fuel oil and other distillates. That makes up about 10 per cent of U.S. consumption every day. The administration says it's confident it can find alternative sources without any additional pain on the U.S. economy.

European nations are far more dependent on Russian oil and are not in any position to quickly replace that supply, which is why they have so far been reluctant to outright ban it.

"We're moving forward, understanding that many of our European allies may not be in a position to join us," Biden said. "We can take this step when others cannot."

Now Biden said it...maybe it will ring through......

 

[Herat]

To my WS friends in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, do you have any information on this statement from Aljazzera news today:

"Those wishing to leave from the European side of the country are crossing the land border to Finland or the Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania)."

I know about Finland, but is that border along the Baltic states really that porous?


‘We are refugees’: Russians flee rising authoritarianism

Public figures and critical Russians flock to the Baltic states, Georgia, Armenia and Turkey amid the war on Ukraine.

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
Effort to relieve encircled Ukrainian port put in jeopardy | The Star
''The deputy mayor of Mariupol cast doubt on the evacuations, telling the BBC that Russian forces continued to pound areas where people were trying to gather ahead of being taken out. He said some roads were blocked, while others were mined.

“So we cannot establish sustainable cease-fire and safety route at the moment,″ Serhiy Orlov said. “So we still have ... a city in blockade.’’

''The city is without water, heat, working sewage systems or phone service. Residents have been getting water from streams or by melting snow. Corpses lay in the streets, and authorities planned to start digging mass graves for all the dead.

With the electricity out, many people are relying on their car radios for information, picking up news from stations broadcast from areas controlled by Russian forces or Russian-backed separatists.

Looting has become widespread for food, clothes and even furniture, with locals referring to the practice as “getting a discount.”

 

[Sundog]

Ukraine-Russia live updates: Zelenskyy giving first ever address by foreign leader to Commons - as report suggests he's 'torn' over deal offered by Russia

Interesting news report from that link -

Russia-Ukraine negotiations 'much more serious than West is saying' and gaps between sides 'not great' - report

A fascinating report has been published in the Jerusalem Post this afternoon, which quotes sources it says were privy to a meeting three days ago between Israeli PM Naftali Bennett and Vladimir Putin.

The gist of the story is that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are "much more serious than what the West has been saying".

It says Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been given a "final" version of Mr Putin's offer to end the crisis and - in a claim that would represent a rare glimmer of hope amid Russia's brutal attacks - "the gaps between the sides are not great" (assuming, as this correspondent is, that "great" is being used in its definition that relates to size rather than that which relates to quality).

<snipped>

"Kyiv has not shared with the West what has been going on in the negotiations since they do not want to [dampen] the worldwide sense of emergency."

The report outlined the following as the arrangement being offered to Ukraine's leader: "Zelenskyy can fortify Ukraine's independence but will have to pay a heavy price, the sources said. Assumptions are that he will be forced to give up the contested Donbas region, officially recognise the pro-Russian dissidents in Ukraine, pledge that Ukraine will not join NATO, shrink his army and declare neutrality. If he declines the proposal, the outcome may be terrible: thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of Ukrainians will die and there is a high probability that his country will completely lose its independence."

The newspaper goes on to say Mr Zelenskyy is "torn" over the offer.

<snipped>

However, if there does turn out to be any substance to claims that a deal is "difficult" but not "impossible", this could clearly be of huge significance.

 

[whiterhino]

May I respectfully ask why Trudeaus’ involvement is making you nervous as I don’t understand. Or is it because Putin will have you on his retaliatory list ?

*insert nervous laughter* how embarrassing (I drink a lot of tea therefore consider myself vulnerable ok?! lol)

Mostly I say this because in the early days, I recall Trudeau being quite vocal and involved while the U.S seemed to be a bit more hesitant. So maybe I was more concerned with Putin retaliating and targeting Canada as a result. Worried our Prime Ministers coffee could contain rat poison

We now know that Putin has a "sh1tl1st" of countries he's not friends with anymore which makes us all vulnerable IMHO. Please know I'm slightly exaggerating and saying these things with some humor!

 

[Arkay]

President Zelenksyy addressed the British Parliament:

I'm watching it now...this guy...so exhausted and yet continuing to speak to every power that may help, in every language that he can speak. I'm thrilled for the standing ovation.

Back to watching.

ETA: looks like it's being translated, but we've seen him speaking in English before.

I want to take him home, feed him, let him shower and sleep.