Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #6

[dotr]

rbbm.
Japan spots four Russian amphibious transports sailing from Far East | The Straits Times
''TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan's military said on Thursday (March 17) that it had spotted four large Russian amphibious warfare ships sailing close to its islands as they travelled west, possibly towards Europe.

Pictures of the amphibious transports, typically used for landing expeditionary forces ashore, published by Japan's defence ministry showed what appeared to be military trucks loaded onto the deck of one of the vessels.

"We don't know where they are heading, but their heading suggest it is possible," a Japanese defence ministry spokesman said. Asked if they could be bound for Ukraine, he said "it is possible".

''A Japanese Self Defence Force maritime patrol first detected the Russian vessels, which can carry dozens of tanks other military vehicles and hundreds of troops, on Tuesday and monitored them as they passed West from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Japan through the narrow Tsuruga Strait separating Japan's main Honshu island from Hokkaido island on Wednesday.''
Japan spots 4 Russian amphibious ships near its islands | Free Malaysia Today (FMT)

 

[sds71]

Brittney Griner: Russian court extends US basketball star's arrest until May 19

 

[PommyMommy]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 9 hrs ago
Russian saboteurs may be entering Ukraine under the guise of journalists. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine said saboteurs are with the media outlets Ruptly, a subsidiary of Russia Today, & Redfish and Maffick LLC

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 5 hrs ago
Air Serbia cancels flights to Russia. The Center for Transport Strategies said on March 16 that flights to Russia cannot be booked on the airline's site. Air Serbia was the last European airline that operated in Russia.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter - 2 hrs ago
An An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft belonging to the Russian cargo airline Volga-Dnepr was arrested in Toronto, Canada - TG-channel Operatyvnyi ZSU https://t.me/ZSUoperativno It will be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to deliver military aid from the US and Canada.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 1 hr ago
130 survivors saved so far from ruins of Mariupol Drama Theater, which Russians hit with massive bomb on March 16. The theater was known to house hundreds of women and children. Its bomb shelter reportedly survived the attack. The rescue efforts continue.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
On 17 Mar., Russian invaders used heavy artillery agst unarmed civilians in Chernihiv, the Police confirmed. Among them people who stood in line for water. Among victims is the US citizen from Minnesota - Police Chief of Chernihiv Oblast V. Nidzelsky. https://suspilne.media/218556-sered-zagiblih-pid-cas-obstrilu-rosianami-centru-cernigova-e-gromadanin-ssa/

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 3 min ago
Ukraine’s military intelligence: Syria to provide Russia with 40,000 mercenaries. Some 150 Syrians were transferred to Russia to take part in its war against Ukraine on March 15; up to 300 are ordered to be sent to Ukraine every day.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
More weapons and military equipment are planned to be transferred from Syria to Russia and Belarus soon, Ukraine’s military intelligence reports. According to the report, some Syrian mercenaries see this as an opportunity for illegal immigration to the EU.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

https://twitter.com/Beaking_News/status/1504380052670136321?t=QGRHHyZ11noy5TG9crspGQ&s=19

NEW: Officials in Mayor's office in #Mariupol say the bomb shelter under the theatre -- where 1,000+ civilians were taking refuge -- withstood Russia's aerial attack... and that people survived & are now being brought out.

But they still don't know how many casualties there are. https://t.co/2BZcGgi6j2

https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1504378026800386051?t=xzf7SWnLDRsPjtkz7IEJ1g&s=19

It’s a miracle - civilians that were hiding in a basement at the Drama Theater in Mariupol survived the air strike.
Now they are getting evacuated from underneath the ruins.

omg... amazing news... i hope.

 

[CSIDreamer]

omg... amazing news... i hope.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1504426600598749185?t=WhCusUCTX_jScTO-qtIS1Q&s=19

️130 survivors saved so far from ruins of Mariupol Drama Theater, which Russians hit with massive bomb on March 16.

The theater was known to house hundreds of women and children. Its bomb shelter reportedly survived the attack. The rescue efforts continue.

More good news. From conflicting reports, I think there were likely several hundred civilians sheltering there, not thousands. JMO

 

[Grouse]

Still a bit of a stretch to say they’re heading towards Europe though, they’d have most of Asia to travel past first!

Oh well, we’ll see if they turn up in a few weeks. Plenty of warning.

Or maybe they were actually headed east for California! Or maybe it's a bit more of the usual scaremongering.

I'll keep an eye out for them next time I'm in Whitby or Filey

 

[PommyMommy]

Russia-Ukraine war latest: search for survivors in bombed Mariupol theatre sheltering children and elderly people – live | World news | The Guardian

4h ago 05:37
Ukraine is asking Japan for high-quality satellite imagery to help it fend off Russian troops, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday.

Japanese governments and private companies operate satellites that have the ability to capture detailed images day and night, and through clouds and other obstructions in the atmosphere.

The Japanese government will carefully consider whether providing such data to Ukraine is politically acceptable or allowed under the current legal framework, the report said without citing sources.

[...]

3h ago 06:35
The Kremlin claimed it was putting “colossal” energy into talks on a possible peace deal with Ukraine.

“Our delegation is putting in colossal effort and demonstrates more readiness towards them than the other side,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“Agreeing such a document, the observance of all its parameters and their implementation could very quickly stop what is happening.”

Asked about a Financial Times report that Ukraine and Russia had made significant progress on a tentative peace plan, Peskov told Reuters: “It is not right - there are elements there that are right but on the whole it is incorrect.”

The Kremlin, he said, would announce progress when there was progress to report. “Address all other questions to the Financial Times though,” Peskov said.

[...]

2h ago 07:25
Ukraine’s defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, has been speaking via video link to MEPs on the committee of foreign affairs and security and defence subcommittee and the issue of the peace negotiations with the Kremlin has been raised, Daniel Boffey reports.

Reznikov said lawyers were involved in drawing up joint documents but that any breakthrough would depend on Russia agreeing to a total ceasefire.

[...]

51m ago0 8:59
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has called for a “natural cleansing” of “scum and traitors” within Russia who question his invasion of Ukraine.

In a television address on 16 March, he also accused the west of trying to split Russian society and provoke civil confrontation.

[...]

3m ago 13:48
Arnold Schwarzenegger has pleaded for Vladimir Putin to “stop this war” and told Russian soldiers their lives are being “sacrificed for a senseless war condemned by the entire world”.

In a nine-minute video posted to his Twitter account, the actor and former California governor outlined his history with Russia and said the “strength and heart of the Russian people” has always inspired him.

Part of the video’s purpose was to try and make Russian soldiers more aware of the circumstances around the conflict, he said.

To the Russian soldiers listening to this broadcast, you already know much of the truth that I have been speaking. You have seen it with your own eyes.

[...]

 

[sds71]

Ukrainian police say American citizen has been killed in Chernihiv | Daily Mail Online


The Chernihiv Region Police posted on Facebook on Thursday: 'Police are documenting the consequences of enemy shelling of civilians in the center of Chernihiv.

'Today, the occupiers once again carried out a heavy artillery attack on unarmed civilian residents of the city. There are dead and wounded people. Among the dead - a US citizen.

A State Department spokesman told DailyMail.com: 'We are aware of reports of the death of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine on March 17. We are monitoring the situation closely but cannot confirm these reports at this time.

 

[dotr]

Royal Navy carrier leads 25 warships putting on a show of force to Putin
Mar 16, 2022

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[fred&edna]

I wonder if Athlon-Avia (based in Kyiv) is still operational?? 'Seems it would have been (or could be) among Russia's earliest Kyiv targets. jmo

Athlon Avia Scientific – Production Enterprise produces the best UAS since 2013 and is a leader in the field of unmanned systems in Ukraine. Our solutions have clear terms of reference and designed to perform tactical military missions, including intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and artillery fire adjustment.

ST-35 Silent Thunder | Athlon Avia - Unmanned solutions

ST-35 Silent Thunder Loitering Munition, Ukraine

 

[PrairieWind]

It is amazing that Russia is having to call on mercenaries, Chechans, Syrians, to help with the war. That is pathetic. The Russians are reported to be taking heavy casualties, but the Army is huge. This shouldn't be a problem. I wonder if it is more a reflection that many Russian soldiers (and perhaps officers) are increasingly showing reluctance to continue this war (especially the atrocities) against their cousins. Putin's comments yesterday about "purging traitors and scum" could show he is increasingly worried about internal dissent. I do believe he has kept the majority of his best forces well within Russia to prevent a coup. But can he trust those forces?

 

[Niner]

NATO makes plans to boost its military presence in eastern Europe as Ukraine war grinds on

from article:

Canada now has 540 troops deployed in Latvia. They're leading a NATO battlegroup as part of a mission to deter further Russian aggression. Another 120 Canadian soldiers and an artillery battery are on their way to join them.
[.....]
Latvian President Egils Levits said Sunday that NATO should establish more permanent bases in the Baltic region — something that would violate a nearly 25-year-old treaty between the West and Russia which pledged the alliance would not have fixed bases in the region.
[.....]
Stoltenberg said the treaty with Russia "has a clear reference to 'in the current security environment,' back in 1997.

"We are not 'in the current security environment' today. We're in a totally different security environment."

and out of curiosity -
How many NATO troops are in Latvia?
The small Baltic state of Latvia, which shares a border with both Russia and Belarus, has played host to a battle group of 1,500 NATO troops, led by 540 Canadians, since 2017. This is Canada's largest military deployment. As of Mar 5, 2022

so - plus those 120 Canadians!

and...

Less than two days after U.S. President Joe Biden announced he would be sending more troops to the Baltic states, the first 40 soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the US Army arrived in Latvia February 24. In total, more than 300 additional US soldiers are planned to be transferred to Latvia.

so - another 300 U.S. guys - I come up with 1,920 NATO troops! And the military base is about 50 miles north of me.

snipped out link...
The 47-nation organization’s committee of ministers said in statement that “the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe as from today.”

In a highly symbolic move after the decision, Council of Europe staff went outside of its headquarters in Strasbourg and took down the Russian flag, neatly folding the tricolor before it was taken away.

Well personally - I never considered Russia a part of Europe anyway...

 

[Niner]

I hope these are okay to post...

 

[otto]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 9 hrs ago
Russian saboteurs may be entering Ukraine under the guise of journalists. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine said saboteurs are with the media outlets Ruptly, a subsidiary of Russia Today, & Redfish and Maffick LLC

If Russia is using journalists as saboteurs,<modsnip> then it's not surprising that Russian soldiers are shooting journalists who are not Russian. Russians must be assuming that journalists are spies or agitators posing as journalists because that's what Russia does.

 

[sunshineray]

Hoping all this means a big "NO" to Russia's request for arms


12h ago 23:24

China 'will never attack Ukraine', praises Ukrainian unity and resistance...


...Fan Xianrong said China “will never attack Ukraine” but will support it economically and politically during a meeting with Lviv’s regional military administration, Ukrainian media outlet Ukrinform reported, citing the administration’s press service.

China will never attack Ukraine, we will help, in particular in the economic direction.

In this situation, which you have now, we will act responsibly. We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength...

Xianrong added:

China is a friendly country for the Ukrainian people. As an ambassador, I can responsibly say that China will forever be a good force for Ukraine, both economically and politically. We will always respect your state, we will develop relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. We will respect the path chosen by Ukrainians because this is the sovereign right of every nation.”

Updated at 11.59pm EDT

Mayor of Melitopol released after abduction - as it happened

 

[Dontknow?]

Jack Detsch
@JackDetsch
20m

NEW: Russian troops controlling Ukraine’s Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants are obstructing employees from doing their work: Ukrainian defense official “Their behavior is unpredictable,” the official said.

 

[sunshineray]

Jack Detsch
@JackDetsch
20m

NEW: Russian troops controlling Ukraine’s Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants are obstructing employees from doing their work: Ukrainian defense official “Their behavior is unpredictable,” the official said.

Aren't the Chechen mercenaries in charge at these plants? Or just Chernobyl?

 

[Bit of hope]

Some more background. Russische destroyers en landingsschepen gedetecteerd bij Japan - op weg naar Oekraïne?

Russian destroyers and landing ships detected near Japan - heading for Ukraine?

Four Russian landing ships (Alligator and Ropucha class) have sailed through the Tsugaru Strait, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced yesterday. The ships were followed by a Japanese P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. One of the ships has fourteen vehicles on deck. The other ships have any vehicles below decks.

It concerns the following four ships of the Pacific Fleet:
• Oslyabya (Ropucha II)
• Admiral Nevelskoy (Ropucha II)
• Peresvet (Ropucha III)
• Nikolay Vilkov (Alligator)

In addition to the landing ships, other Russian naval vessels also passed through the Tsugaru Strait and the Soy Strait on March 10, 11 and 14. These included six Russian destroyers and three submarines. On March 11, Japan was already concerned about the passage of the Russian ships, followed by a Japanese destroyer and minesweeper.

To Ukraine?
The question, of course, is what Russia intends to do with the landing ships. According to an intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense, Russia is struggling with the offensive operation due to heavy Ukrainian resistance and Russia is moving units from, among others, the Pacific Fleet. A spokesman for the Japanese defense was asked , according to international news agency Reuterswhether the ships are on their way to Ukraine, "that is possible," the spokesman replied.

This is not to say that these ships are actually going in that direction. The journey from Vladivostok in eastern Russia to Sevastopol in Crimea is almost 11,000 km. At the usual speed of these ships of about 10 knots, the ships (if continuously at sea) would arrive in Crimea in late April or early May.

That is far, but not impossible. However, there is one major obstacle: the Bosphorus is closed to Russian naval ships and so they will not be able to go to the Black Sea. Does Putin want to force passage, possibly together with a number of frigates, in the Mediterranean? You could, but it's risky. And does that risk outweigh the added value of another four landing ships?

However, it is also possible that the ships are on their way to Tartus, Syria, which has been cut off from Russian transport by naval vessel since the closure of the Bosphorus.

Perhaps most likely, however, the ships are on their way back to home base Vladivostok.

 

[dotr]

Lengthy article, rbbm.
Only NATO Intervention in Ukraine Can Save Putin - The Atlantic
''The odds of a palace coup against Putin are already low; the odds of such a move while Russia is at war with NATO are even lower.
By Tom Nichols
''Russian President Vladimir Putin is in trouble. Despite his limited gains on the ground in Ukraine, he is facing strategic defeat in a war that no one (including me) would have expected him to lose. The vaunted Russian army has turned out to be a hollow force whose major skill sets seem to be bullying its own conscripts and killing foreign civilians. The Russian air force has underperformed even the lowest expectations; perhaps Russian pilots should have spent more time getting training and logging flying hours instead of doing fancy maneuvers at foreign air shows. At home, Putin distrusts his own security services and is apparently purging some of his top spies. The Russian people are going into the streets, prompting the regime to arrest thousands. The Russian economy is in a deep freeze and is likely to stay there for years.''

''Only one military force in the world can save Putin from utter humiliation now: NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO intervention in Russia’s war on Ukraine could halt that country’s barbarous attacks. But it would mean war between Putin’s regime and the West, and this war would be such a gift to Putin that we should expect that he will soon do everything he can to provoke it.

The U.S. and Europe should resist such provocations.

First and foremost, NATO intervention would help Putin by allowing him to rally his nation and impose even harsher measures to suffocate dissent. Millions of Russians clearly want nothing to do with this fratricidal war, which is one reason Putin has been desperate to keep them from hearing anything about it other than weird Soviet-era cant about neo-Nazis and weapons of mass destruction. If NATO were to become involved, however, Putin’s regime would gladly play footage of Russian men being blasted to pieces by U.S., British, and other allied jets. ''

 

[worldwatcher]

i don't think this was off topic at all!! It is actually eerie to think of this as early planning on the part of Putin. Your second article was written in 2018.... did we even care of such actions??

There was even a mayor world cyber attack in 2017,that started in Ukraine:

"A series of powerful cyberattacks using the Petya malware began on 27 June 2017 that swamped websites of Ukrainian organizations, including banks, ministries, newspapers and electricity firms. Similar infections were reported in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, United Kingdom, the United States and Australia"
2017 Ukraine ransomware attacks - Wikipedia

I didn't even noticed that,tbh.Only became more aware,about cyber security,after being active on https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/norway-arjen-kamphuis-47-dutch-citizen-bodø-20-aug-2018-2.397743/ Arjen Kamphuis had to restore the port of Rotterdam , after it was paralysed by the biggest cyber attack ever.

Odd that a famous Dutch hacker went missing in Bodo.Norway...
Makes me wonder even more..

Well more on the article and the vid.does mention the cyber attack in 2017, they think it came from Russia :
Anonymous gaat door na drie weken 'Rusland hacken'