Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #6

[otto]

Those guys are truly terrifying, especially the Wagner Group. Hollywood movies have evil mercenaries, but these guys are as ruthless as anything that can be dreamed up in fiction.

I assume someone has linked historic info about Hitler and Wagner. I was so surprised to learn that there's a Wagner hit squad under Putin.

 

[cujenn81]

The Story Behind a Defining War Photo

In today’s episode of The Daily podcast (produced by The NY Times), the photographer who captured the now-famous image of the man, woman, and two children that were killed trying to evacuate a suburb of Kyiv talks about watching the events unfold that day.

 

[CrimeAway]

Putin's Road to War (Frontline documentary on YouTube):

Another interesting video about the background and possible motivations for Putin's War is available on YT titled "Why Russia is Invading Ukraine"

 

[mmindymoo]

I don't like this Lavrov.
He also stated during peace talk in Turkey 'they (ukraine army) are using people as shields'.
He is so manipulative <modsnip>. He called the reporter 'an instrument of your government'. I would have replied takes one to know ya crazy! IMO of course. I do think he is a key player here.
Russia says ‘we didn’t invent collateral damage’ as invasion kills thousands

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 15, 2022
Russian soldiers refusing to redeploy to Ukraine, become 'cannon fodder' | Euromaidan Press
[...]

Sergeant Sapar M. Mirapov wrote in his personal statement to the commander of the Military Unit #61899: “… I hereby report that I consider it impossible to re-deploy due to the unit’s poor organization, lack of communications and technical means. [On my original tour], I arrived without understanding why I was needed there, without any explanations of the task. I don’t want to be ‘cannon fodder.’”



Military Unit #61899 is a shorthand for the 27th Separate Guards Sevastopol Red Banner Motor Rifle Brigade, which has participated in the following engagements since the collapse of the Soviet Union: the 1991 Soviet coup d’état attempt, the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, the First Chechen War, the Second Chechen War, and the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war.

[...]

The commander of the 2nd motorized rifle platoon of the 9th motorized rifle company, Lieutenant A. Yegorov, stated that “… from the very beginning we were faced with [the command’s] deception and concealment of the true goals and tasks of the military deployment. Incomprehensible ‘military exercise tasks’ meant a dramatically different thing … After our crossing the border into Ukraine, we completely discredited ourselves in the eyes of both the world and the Slavic community. From that moment on, our actions and nature were of an occupation army, which was clearly expressed by the reaction of the civilian population.

[...]

In addition, a Guildhall source in the Ukrainian government reported that due to the refusal of some officials of the Russian military, including deputy commanders of the 76th Airborne Assault Division (based in Pskov, Russia), to comply with the order to conduct hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, four members of the division were detained by the military police.

According to the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, as of March 15, the total combat losses of the Russian military amounted to more than 13,500 personnel.

(There are nine more photos of letters in the article.)

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 15, 2022
Evacuee from besieged Mariupol: "Last week was pure horror" | Euromaidan Press
On 14 March, Maya Sh. and her family managed to escape from Mariupol, a southeastern Ukrainian port city besieged by Russian troops since March 2. “Horror” is the only word she keeps repeating describing the situation in her hometown. And the horror is getting worse day by day.

[...]

We used to live on Troitska street (on the western end of Mariupol, – Ed.). The last week was pure horror and hell. The bombings were going on practically non-stop. In various ends of the city. Not a single house remained intact around us.

At night on 13 March, we said goodbye to our lives. The shells were falling so close that we believed that they were going to hit us. The walls literally trembled, staggered. From the roaring sounds, everything inside us was shrinking away with such an animal fear. The fear for my child.

[...]

We reached Berdyansk without any problem. There was a mined area near Melekino, the mines were clearly visible, we turned around them across the field. But further on we moved just fine. ...

The information on the route safety was available only through word of mouth. We were told that there were hostilities on the Zaporizhzhia highway, so we didn’t proceed in that direction, but moved towards Tokmak.

[...]

They inspected the car, checked the documents. Some even asked, how is the “Pentagon” (the popular name of one of Mariupol’s districts, – Ed.). Well, that is, at some checkpoints there were locals. Young guys.

And each time I tried to look into their eyes. I wanted to understand what it was like to go and kill your own people, shoot at them, level the city where you once lived or visited it more than once. I didn’t see anything in their eyes. I’ll probably never understand this. Although some told us, “Leave and never come back.”

Most difficulties began after Tokmak because no one really knew where we should go. We headed to Kamyanske. The bridge turned out to be blown up there, but there was a bypass across the field. It’s scary because the field is mined. But there were run-in tracks that you should strictly follow.

[...]

Behind Kamyanske we found a Ukrainian checkpoint. They didn’t let us through right away. Everyone there was very much surprised that we left Mariupol. While checks were going on, a battle started.

We spent an hour and a half there on the road and once again said goodbye to life silently because Grad rockets were flying over us, bursts of small arms were heard. My daughter had a breakdown, started to breathe heavily, I was afraid that her heart could not stand it.

[...]

In the city, they took us to the circus building. They welcomed us, provided a meal, and started to choose the sleeping accommodation for us. In different places. My daughter and I were in a kindergarten. For the first time in two weeks, we were able to sleep. Today we moved on, to a safer place.

I think that all this horror that our children have experienced will take a toll on their health. But I will think about it later. Now it’s important to survive.

 

[PommyMommy]

Euromaidan Press on Twitter - 21 min ago
6:00 EET Ukrainian army inflicted devastating blows on groups of Russian troops, counterattacked in some areas, making the invader retreat there. Russian main effort is focused on maintaining the previously occupied areas - General Staff

Original source (linked in the above tweet) with full post and photos/video: Оперативна інформація станом на Генеральний штаб ЗСУ / General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine | Facebook

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
During the last 24hr, Ukrainian Air Force launched nine missile and bomb strikes on columns of equipment and groups of invading troops. Russians contrinued their bombing of civilian houses and infrastructure - General Staff https://bit.ly/3Jg4ahz

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 9 min ago
Explosions reported in Zaporizhzhia. Secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council Anatoliy Kurtev confirmed reports of explosion at the city’s railway station.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Putin needs to end this war and make it look like a victory

Jenny Hill
BBC correspondent, Moscow

It's fair to assume that Moscow would be thrilled if Ukraine followed through on what we're getting hints of from President Zelensky - some kind of commitment that Ukraine would never join Nato.

That's certainly one of Moscow's aims in this war, but it's hard to say if it would be enough to stop President Putin.

He also wants Ukraine to hand over chunks of territory. That, at the moment, is considered an unacceptable demand by Zelensky. So it's hard to see how much progress is actually being made in these talks - although the fact that they're continuing to happen is a positive sign in itself.

We should be in no doubt that Putin needs to find a way to bring this war to an end, because so many Russian soldiers are dying and being injured. But he needs to be able to tell his people that he's won this war, so needs to feel he's got something significant out of it.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says Russia talks more realistic - BBC News

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Girl who has been documenting war experiences welcomed

A 12-year-old Ukrainian girl, who has been documenting her experiences of war in a journal, said she feels safe now that she has arrived in Ireland.

Yeva Skaletskaya and her grandmother Irina fled their home city of Kharkiv after their apartment block was bombed.

Their efforts to get to safety, and Yeva's journal recording her experiences, were first reported on by Channel 4 News last weekend.

Watching the reports prompted a Dublin couple, Catherine Flanagan and Gary Abrahamian, to get in contact and invite them to stay in their home.

"I teach English and I was taken by the fact that she was writing a diary... we thought 'wow this girl is like Anne Frank' and how terrible that is in 2022, but isn't it wonderful that she is writing a story that needs to be told," Gary said.

"At the end (of one of the Channel 4 reports) it spoke about the challenges of where she might go and (difficulties getting) access to England, and we both turned to each other and said she should come to Ireland," Gary and Catherine told RTÉ News.

With help from Channel 4 News, Ms Flanagan managed to make contact with Yeva and Irina, and she invited them to stay with them in their family home in Glasnevin.

On Friday night they arrived into Dublin Airport.

"It was such a lovely moment when the two of them walked through, it was just sheer relief," Catherine said.

(...)

Yeva thought she might stop writing once she arrived to Ireland but she has decided that she will keep writing.

"I will write news from Kharkiv and my life in Ireland," Yeva said.

As long as the fighting continues, she said, she will keep writing.

"The name of my book is 'War (in 2022: Through the eyes of a child)' and I think I will finish this book when (the war) stop," she said.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

'Militia out!' - life in Russian-occupied Ukraine

In the early stages of the invasion of Ukraine, troops from Russian-occupied Crimea entering the country quickly took control of a number of cities and towns on the southern coast.

One such town is Berdyansk, 85km west of the besieged city of Mariupol. On the Sea of Azov, the port town of just over 100,000 is now three weeks into Russian occupation.

On 27 February, Russian troops and tanks rolled and installed Russian military police in the City Hall.

Local Berdyansk journalist Galina Plahotnik documented life there for Prime Time over recent days.

On Monday, the town became the first stop for many evacuees fleeing Mariupol. Some 160 cars escaped the city yesterday and 2,000 are reported to have left on Tuesday. Those stopping temporarily are en route to Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia.

One evacuee, a woman, spoke to Ms Plahotnik through flowing tears.

"There is no city. There is no longer a city at all. Everything is destroyed there. There are no apartment buildings left. Nothing is left there."

"I was working at the hospital. But [the Russians] have bombed everything. There were many wounded in the hospital with debris wounds [from explosions]. The surgeons are real heroes," the woman said.

"They perform surgeries and, when they finish, they sleep on the surgical theatre floor. The only electricity in the building is from a generator, reserved for the surgical theatre."

(...)

Despite the hardship, most locals refuse food aid offered by the Russian militia. On 5 March, supplies were offered out of the back of a military van. Local reports, according to Ms Plahotnik, suggested that only a few elderly people, desperate enough, approached it.

(...)

Local TV and radio stations have shut down and the broadband was cut. The only local news available is via patchy internet connections from the mobile network.

By contrast, the Orwellian Russian propaganda drones out over the airwaves hour after hour.

"Locals were complaining to Russian militia about their poverty, which was caused by high unemployment, low pensions and salaries, high prices for food and utilities. Be healthy and know Berdyansk is ours and only we can make it better."

Locals show their resistance and opposition with daily protests in front of the City Hall.

"Militia out, militia out" they shout. Or, "Go home, go home, Russkies, go home."

(...)

 

[Mo Thuairim]

‘I’m on the frontline in Mariupol’: the Chinese reporter embedded with Russian troops

Lu Yuguang of Chinese news outlet Phoenix TV appears to have gained exclusive access to Moscow’s side of the invasion of Ukraine

(...)

The dispatches are unusual for their extraordinary access – Lu, a veteran war reporter for a Chinese news outlet, Phoenix TV, is perhaps the only foreign correspondent embedded with Russian troops as they continue the brutal invasion of Ukraine.

(...)

Lu appears to have gained exclusive access to Russia’s side of the conflict. In one report on 2 March, he interviewed the leader of the self-proclaimed republic in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin. Lu said the Donetsk militia cannot compare to Ukrainian forces, “but with the help of Russian forces, eastern Ukraine militia have liberated 40 residential areas within the administrative line. The victory keeps expanding.”

The Guardian is not aware of any other foreign journalists reporting from such close quarters on the Russian side of the invasion.

(...)

As such, Lu’s unusual access to the Russian military stands in stark contrast to that of other reporters. It has also fuelled questions about the extent of cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.

(...)

His reports from Ukraine have included Russian disinformation such as claims of more than 1,000 people held hostage as human shields by Ukrainian militants. However, his interviews with Ukrainian civilian victims, and criticism of Chinese internet users objectifying Ukrainian women, have also drawn nationalistic and pro-Russia trolling, accusing him of creating pro-Ukraine “rumours” and being “crooked assed”, an internet slang term for having bias or lacking objectivity.

(...)

Prof Steve Tsang, the director of the Soas China Institute, said Lu could have gained access through his personal connection to Russia, or because of China’s general support for its government.

“They are not mutually exclusive. The only thing I think we know for sure is that Russia will not allow any foreign journalist to be embedded with Russian forces unless it is certain that the embedded foreign journalist will portray Russian forces and efforts in a positive light."

(...)

 

[Charlot123]

What did Russia ask Myanmar for the weapons it had supplied them?
Russia:We need them back...badly
Myannar: Nah we 're using them...right now

Well, for a long time, since 2003 to be precise, omport of Burmese rubies, sapphires and jade sapphires was banned.
Perhaps, these? Can't imagine Burma exporting much, but its gems are top in the world.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

'I have a duty to tell their story' - Pierre Zakrzewski

An Irish cameraman who was killed outside Kyiv in Ukraine said his job as a cameraman suited his personality, as he wrote about his work a number of years ago.

Pierre Zakrzewski, who grew up and was educated in Dublin, was killed alongside Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova when their vehicle was struck on Monday by incoming fire in Horenka, outside the capital.

Pierre graduated from St Conleth's College in Dublin in 1984 and wrote about his career for the 2004 yearbook.

"Travel, adventure, foreign news and seeing humanity at work," he wrote.

(...)

He said his job as a cameraman is "simply to inform the general public so that they can put pressure on politicians to implement change in these wonderful countries".

"It is difficult to explain the attraction to this way of life, but when you experience the emotional rollercoaster of war, both positive and negative, as a cameraman I feel I have a duty to tell their story," he said.

(...)

"Although it can be exhausting, there is nothing more rewarding than experiencing the smiles, hospitality, and camaraderie of these people," he said.

"When you think you have seen the worst excesses of man's inhumanity to man you realise the strength of the human spirit," he added.

"There are the kids laughing as they see their image on the monitor; families who share with you the little food they have and the countless cups of chai and conversations about conflict, politics, religions, cultural differences and life in general," Pierre wrote.

He paid tribute to his past tutors, mentioning that Mr Liam McGloinn would be glad to know that "when all else fails, speaking a few sentences in Irish to a bureaucrat or a soldier, usually gets things rolling again - go n'éirí an bóthar leat".

(...)

(Listening to Pierre's brothers being interviewed on Irish radio now. They are devastated but so proud of him and his long career. They are hoping to bring his body home for the funeral soon but the logistics are difficult.)

 

[cujenn81]

Putin needs to end this war and make it look like a victory

Jenny Hill
BBC correspondent, Moscow

It's fair to assume that Moscow would be thrilled if Ukraine followed through on what we're getting hints of from President Zelensky - some kind of commitment that Ukraine would never join Nato.

That's certainly one of Moscow's aims in this war, but it's hard to say if it would be enough to stop President Putin.

He also wants Ukraine to hand over chunks of territory. That, at the moment, is considered an unacceptable demand by Zelensky. So it's hard to see how much progress is actually being made in these talks - although the fact that they're continuing to happen is a positive sign in itself.

We should be in no doubt that Putin needs to find a way to bring this war to an end, because so many Russian soldiers are dying and being injured. But he needs to be able to tell his people that he's won this war, so needs to feel he's got something significant out of it.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says Russia talks more realistic - BBC News

Yes, I’ve heard several Russian/Putin analysts say this — that Putin must be made to feel like he’s won the war if we ever hope for him to pull back.

Two podcast episodes that I recommend on this topic are:
Putin’s Endgame: A conversation with Fiona Hill by The Daily (NY Times)
Putin’s Choices in Ukraine: Former Top Pentagon Official Mike Vickers by Intelligence Matters (CBS)

 

[sds71]

Zelensky says Ukraine's talks with Russia are starting to “sound more realistic.” “However, time is still needed for the decisions to be in Ukraine’s interests. Our heroes, our defenders give us this time defending Ukraine everywhere.”

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, now says there is "hope for reaching a compromise" with Ukraine at peace talks. He says there are "absolutely specific wordings that are close to being agreed" on neutrality for Ukraine and security guarantees for Russia.

The Kremlin now says Russia is discussing Austrian and Swedish models for Ukraine's neutrality and "demilitarization." This means Ukraine gets to keep its army but isn't allowed to have foreign bases, according to Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

War in Ukraine: free to read

 

[Vern]

Zelensky says Ukraine's talks with Russia are starting to “sound more realistic.” “However, time is still needed for the decisions to be in Ukraine’s interests. Our heroes, our defenders give us this time defending Ukraine everywhere.”

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, now says there is "hope for reaching a compromise" with Ukraine at peace talks. He says there are "absolutely specific wordings that are close to being agreed" on neutrality for Ukraine and security guarantees for Russia.

The Kremlin now says Russia is discussing Austrian and Swedish models for Ukraine's neutrality and "demilitarization." This means Ukraine gets to keep its army but isn't allowed to have foreign bases, according to Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

War in Ukraine: free to read

Hello Russia. Ukraine is a a sovereign nation. I think your actions and atrocities against her people have proven exactly why Ukraine would benefit from an international alliance and foreign based cooperation if she so wishes. Don't be surprised if she says, "nyet". You have proven that neutrality doesn't mean a thing when you attacked her; she already gave her nukes back to you post-Soviet era in agreement that you would never then attack her. You lied. You lie. You are a liar. You are not an nation who holds their word.

Stay strong Ukraine.

 

[Bit of hope]

Kremlin: demilitarisatie is mogelijk compromis • Man met handen omhoog doodgeschoten

Drone image: Ukrainian man shot dead with hands up

A civilian who had his hands up was shot dead by Russian soldiers. This is reported by the German public broadcaster ZDF . The station examined drone footage of the March 7 incident west of Kiev. ZDF got their hands on two videos. A video of 2, and a video of 4 minutes long. To verify the image, ZDF tracked down the drone pilot who recorded the incident.

The image released by broadcaster shows a tank just past a gas station . The white identification marks of the Russian army can be seen on the tank. There are soldiers in the forest next to the tank.

The video shows cars driving on the highway towards the center of Kiev. A first car turns around just before it gets to the tank and drives back. A gray car then also turns around, but stops the car. The driver gets out with hands up, but is then shot. He falls behind the car on the street. Presumably Russian soldiers, men with white bands on their arms, seem to be responsible for this. The soldiers can be seen dragging the victim to a ditch. Other occupants of the car, a woman and a child, were released. What happens to them next is not clear from the video.

The video contains shocking images:

https://twitter.com/ZDFfrontal/status/1503751916395843593?s=20&t=gSj8z8N5sNGdlA82Nptwkg

 

[Bit of hope]

Kremlin: demilitarisatie is mogelijk compromis • Man met handen omhoog doodgeschoten

4 HOURS AGO

The Netherlands continues to supply weapons to Ukraine
Defense Minister Ollongren says that the Netherlands will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine together with other countries. She is in Brussels to talk to her colleagues from other NATO countries about the war in Ukraine. The consultation will start at 09:00, and representatives of Ukraine and the other non-members Georgia, Finland and Sweden will also join the online meeting.

The meeting continues in the afternoon. There is talk of strengthening NATO on its eastern borders. Now the defense there mainly consists of light units. The summit talks about the permanent presence of large units in Eastern Europe.

 

[Bit of hope]

Ukrainian refugees face threat of human trafficking.

This video warns about it, to protect the women and children fleeing over the borders. There are criminals lurking for victims.

If fleeing from your country with nothing, being vulnerable, afraid, desperate, tiered isn't enough... evil people exists, the ultimate scum of the earth.....For God sake is there no end to evil.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: List of key events from day 21

 

[dotr]

rbbm
March 16 2022
Live updates: Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine (cnbc.com)
''5 MIN AGO
International Chess Federation suspends Russian and Belarusian teams
The International Chess Federation said Wednesday that the national teams of Russia and Belarus were suspended from participating in its tournaments until further notice.''

''19 MIN AGO
Switzerland announces further sanctions on Russia
Switzerland has announced further sanctions on Russia in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Guy Parmelin, head of Switzerland’s Federal Department of Economic Affairs, approved the sanctioning of more than 200 individuals and entities connected to what the Swiss government called “serious violations of international law by Russia in Ukraine.”

The move meant Switzerland’s sanctions list now “fully mirrors that of the EU,” the government said in a statement on Wednesday.

“A further 197 individuals are now subject to financial sanctions and travel restrictions and 9 additional entities are now subject to financial sanctions,” the government said. “Among those individuals are further oligarchs and prominent businesspeople. Assets in Switzerland belonging to these individuals must be frozen and reported to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.”

The sanctions came into force on Wednesday at midday local time.''