Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #7

[gregjrichards]

It's too close to 5 am in Ukraine. Prayers for Mariupol & all of Ukraine. Can't say what I want for Russia here.

It has been very difficult to get a decent nights sleep since the war started just over three weeks ago knowing what is happening in Ukraine. I’m sure it is the same for the majority of you as well. I dread putting the news channels on in the morning as soon as I wake up to see even more heartbreaking footage of human suffering and devastation.

I feel very guilty to be home here in Scotland with somewhere safe to live, a bed to sleep in, food and water which women, men and children in many cities like Mariupol in Ukraine don’t have. They don’t even know if they and their loved ones will survive each day and night. I wish I was a billionaire who could afford to donate substantially more to help as many Ukrainian refugees and animals in Ukraine as I could.

This article says they have assets in several countries, which is done to "prop up the ruble, and stave off inflation".
(The money in the accounts would be in the currency of the holding country, I would think. Euros may be more stable than rubles. imo)

Graphic: Russia's frozen billions


This other article says that as well as the Central Bank of Russia's assets, private citizens accounts at other banks were also frozen, as well as the freezing of lots of real estate.

"We have frozen the assets of the Central Bank of Russia in the amount of 22 billion euros. In addition, we have frozen assets in private individuals' accounts in French financial institutions in the amount of 150 million euros," Le Maire told the RTL radio.

France also froze real estate in the country worth half a billion euros, which is about 30 properties and apartments owned by Russian citizens, according to the minister.
Ukraine crisis: France freezes $24 bn of Russian Central Bank's assets

I hope it will be possible to seize as many Russian assets as possible and the monster’s leaders own fortune (which is allegedly estimated to be as high as $200 Billion) to pay for the rebuilding of Ukraine. He deserves to be in jail for war crimes and crimes against humanity and left with nothing like the Ukrainian refugees because of him. The people of Ukraine need to be compensated for the unimaginable suffering and trauma he and his military leaders have caused.

But no amount of money would ever be able to or be enough to compensate for the loss of the Ukrainian women, men and children, who have been senselessly and needlessly murdered or compensate for the horrendous pain injured survivors are suffering both physically and mentally. No amount of Russian money will be enough to compensate for the trauma the people of Ukraine are suffering.

They should not be allowed to have any of their seized assets back. Russia will need to pay as much as possible back to pay for Ukraine to be rebuilt in addition to their despicable leader and his military leaders being prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

 

[gregjrichards]

Apologies if already posted. The girl who was singing let it go in a bomb shelter singing at a charity concert in Poland.

Thank you for sharing this video for everyone here to watch. It was incredibly moving to see Amelia sing the Ukrainian national anthem at the charity concert in Poland last night when the clip was shown on the news this morning. Amelia is so brave at just seven years old to be able to sing in front of so many people, especially after the traumatic experience she has had desperately trying to evacuate to safety and leaving her home, friends and country. I’m really glad Amelia is safe and hope she will be able to sing at a concert when it safe and possible to return home back to Ukraine.

 

[sunshineray]

Well, about revolutions. Today I was remembering the failed coup of 1991, when GKCP tried to revert the system back to the old time. Thousands and thousands of young muscovites came to the square before the Russian “White House” to protect Yeltsin and the deputies. The army refused to storm the WH. The burial of the three young fallen heroes turned into the demonstration of the “freedom”.

Now I am thinking how come that, possibly, the same people who were before the White House in August of 1991, might be now saying they support the invasion? How come things changed?

My hubby reminded me, these are the same people who lived through the Russia’s 90-es. Today’s oligarchs and their yachts are nothing in comparison to inflation, lawlessness, “shootouts” between mafia groups, etc, etc. (It was so bad, that, as I have read, in 1996 the communists got more votes than Yeltsin. Not quite sure as elections are tricky, but at least, there was a huge fear that they could be re-elected. And of course there was the reason for Yeltsin to be afraid that his family could be prosecuted after he retired). So in comparison to this, Putin’s first years were incredibly organized. All these satrapies, governors from the same bandit clans, were suddenly gone. Berezovsky disappeared. How, then, we are where we are now? It all changed slowly, perhaps, the first bad sign was acquisition of the independent TV channel, but people didn’t foresee what would follow. I, not having lived through the 90-es in Russia, can not fully understand how people feel about it. I still suspect the age of 40 would split two groups in their opinions.

Yep Putin cleaned up most of the ruffians and made the rest fabulously rich. He expanded the KGB (changed it to a few names for diverted distraction) and now phase three, conquer those that got away and bring them back. Create the USSR once again, just under a new name.

Some of those videos making it out of Russia show that free-for-all mentality is lurking to explode. As much as I despise Putin and his set-up I don't want to see Russia go back to the lawless wild west or settle for living under the smackdown of oppression.

There are good people who just want to live and raise their children with human freedoms and opportunity. I just don't see them having a chance right now </3 AJMO

 

[dotr]

March 21 2022
Line-up announced for Ukraine benefit concert - BBC News
''Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol will all play at next week's Concert For Ukraine, which will be broadcast on ITV and STV.
Emeli Sande and Gregory Porter have also been added to the line-up, with more acts to be confirmed.
Tickets for the show will go on sale on Tuesday 22 March, with the concert taking place in Birmingham on the 29th.''

''London Calling repurposed
It comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth week.
In that space of time, the United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates the conflict has claimed 2,361 civilian casualties (902 killed and 1,459 injured). The UN also estimates that there are nearly 1.85million Ukrainians have been displaced.
The country's musicians have played a role in documenting the conflict and combating misinformation amongst their Russian fans.
Many of them - along with Russian musicians who oppose the war - have found themselves blacklisted by the Kremlin.
But that has not deterred hardcore punk band Beton, who have been given permission by The Clash to re-record London Calling as a protest song against the war.''

''Renamed Kyiv Calling, the song now includes the lyrics: "Kyiv calling to the Nato zone/Forget it, brother, we can't go it alone".
''Proceeds from the song will go towards the Free Ukraine Resistance Movement, helping to fund a shared communications system that will alert the population to threats and lobby for international support.''

 

[sunshineray]

Canada Gives Russian Letter Lamenting Humanitarian Disaster A Scathing Rewrite

Canada’s mission to the United Nations took red ink to a letter from its Russian counterparts that decried the humanitarian disaster unfurling in Eastern Europe as a direct result of the Vladimir Putin-ordered military invasion of Ukraine.

Canada’s mission didn’t have patience for the sympathy purportedly expressed by the Russian envoy, and completely rewrote the note.

It changed this part:

I am reaching out to you with regard to an urgent matter related to the dire humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine. Like other members of the international community, we are gravely concerned about its deterioration.

To this:

I am reaching out to you with regard to an urgent matter related to the dire humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine which we have caused as a result of our illegal war of aggression. We are not gravely concerned about its deterioration because we are the primary cause.

The Canadians also demanded to know: “How do you account for the bombing of a maternity ward and the destruction of over 200 schools?”

And: “How do you account for Russia forces besieging cities, preventing civilians from fleeing, denying humanitarian aid, attacking humanitarian corridors and looting aid?”

Ohhhh Canada <3 "Craven and farcical" indeed!! Thank you Canada <3

 

[PommyMommy]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 5 hrs ago
State Emergency Service: Ammonia leak in Sumy insignificant. Following the early morning shelling of the Sumykhimprom chemical plant, one ammonia tank was damaged resulting in a leak that the emergency service called insignificant. Rescuers said it posed no danger to locals.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 3 hrs ago
New curfew in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast will last from 8 p.m. on March 21 until 7 a.m. on March 23. Stores, pharmacies, and gas stations will be closed. “Only vehicles with special permits can move around the city,” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 1 hr ago
Greek diplomat after returning from Mariupol: 'What I saw, I hope no one will ever see.' Manolis Androulakis left the besieged city on March 15. He said it was joining the ranks of places known for having been destroyed in wars such as “Guernica, Coventry, Aleppo, Grozny."

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 12 min ago
Ukraine accuses Russia of kidnapping children from occupied Donbas. According to the Foreign Ministry, 2,389 children from Russian-controlled Donbas were “illegally deported” to Russia.

 

[Mominmi]

It has been very difficult to get a decent nights sleep since the war started just over three weeks ago knowing what is happening in Ukraine. I’m sure it is the same for the majority of you as well. I dread putting the news channels on in the morning as soon as I wake up to see even more heartbreaking footage of human suffering and devastation.

I feel very guilty to be home here in Scotland with somewhere safe to live, a bed to sleep in, food and water which women, men and children in many cities like Mariupol in Ukraine don’t have. They don’t even know if they and their loved ones will survive each day and night. I wish I was a billionaire who could afford to donate substantially more to help as many Ukrainian refugees and animals in Ukraine as I could.



I hope it will be possible to seize as many Russian assets as possible and the monster’s leaders own fortune (which is allegedly estimated to be as high as $200 Billion) to pay for the rebuilding of Ukraine. He deserves to be in jail for war crimes and crimes against humanity and left with nothing like the Ukrainian refugees because of him. The people of Ukraine need to be compensated for the unimaginable suffering and trauma he and his military leaders have caused.

But no amount of money would ever be able to or be enough to compensate for the loss of the Ukrainian women, men and children, who have been senselessly and needlessly murdered or compensate for the horrendous pain injured survivors are suffering both physically and mentally. No amount of Russian money will be enough to compensate for the trauma the people of Ukraine are suffering.

They should not be allowed to have any of their seized assets back. Russia will need to pay as much as possible back to pay for Ukraine to be rebuilt in addition to their despicable leader and his military leaders being prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

I used to wonder how my grandparents lived their lives, went to work, shopped in their lovely town, went to church on Sunday, relaxed in the evenings listening to the news on the radio while across the world 6 million Jews were being rounded up and slaughtered. Now I begin to understand.

Yes, gregjrichards, I feel… such an extreme sadness I think you might call it guilt. And by the time my own baby granddaughter grows old enough to wonder how my generation just sat and watched what is happening in Ukraine and is probably coming for other countries I think that guilt will have turned into SHAME, shame of my country and her allies and their inability or unwillingness to tackle this bully, Putin.

 

[PommyMommy]

Euromaidan Press on Twitter - 4 hrs ago
Ukrainian forces defended Izium, launched further counterattacks in the south, reportedly killed 3 Russian regimental commanders in the last 24 hours. Russian forces continue their slow advance into Mariupol, preparing Russian population for a “long war.”
Ukrainian army repelled Russians from Izium | Euromaidan Press

”NEXTA on Twitter - 2 hrs ago
The largest airport in the #Russian Federation, Sheremetyevo, sent 40% of its staff (6-7 thousand people) on vacation for an indefinite period on the backdrop of #EU and #US sanctions against the Russian aviation industry, Izvestia reports

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Russian occupiers kidnap journalists in Melitopol, Zaporizhia Oblast Armed Russians came to the homes of 4 Melitopol journalists and took them in an unknown direction: Y.Olkhovska, L.Chaika, M.Kumok, Y. Boryan,–Local News Melitopol and Kumok's daughter https://facebook.com/2391879044184408/posts/5147640005274951/

NEXTA on Twitter - 1 hr ago
At the Kalinovsky forum, Sviatlana @Tsihanouskaya
called for recognizing #Belarus as a country under temporary occupation and demanding that #Russia withdraw its troops from Belarus.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Russia's military is painting over the names and board numbers on their ships. This action is seen as a preparation for provocations agst civilian ships with the subsequent accusation of Ukrainian warships,–State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, 11:00 EET https://facebook.com/photo?fbid=300748192164058&set=a.256113479960863

NEXTA on Twitter - 30 min ago
#Russia provokes #NATO Today Russian fighter-bomber entered #Polish airspace. This happened immediately after the announcement by the Polish leadership about the possible deployment of Polish peacekeepers to #Ukraine to ensure the safety of civilians.

This information still not confirmed by the #Polish authorities or #NATO

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Russia raises mobilization age from 55 to 65 years in temporarily occupied Donetsk, Luhansk Oblasts Panic spreads there as the seriously wounded and dead are constantly arriving. However, relatives are not informed about circumstances of death,–UA intel. https://facebook.com/DefenceIntelligenceofUkraine

 

[Sundog]

I don’t quite understand the banking system. Is it normal to keep own assets abroad? Could they be private? I imagine gold is not kept outside, are these French francs or dollars?

Here is a good article that might help explain it.

“The foreign reserves are important to Russia’s economy because they retain their value even if the ruble dives.”

Graphic: Russia's frozen billions

 

[dotr]

Ukraine War: Explosions rock Ukrainian capital Kyiv
Mar 21, 2022

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
War in Ukraine: Backlash in Russia against anti-war musicians - BBC News
''A few days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one of Russia's largest media companies, Russian Media Group (RMG), released a statement explaining why it would no longer be playing certain artists on its popular radio stations or music TV channel.

"The reason for this decision was the harsh statements these musicians made towards Russia in the context of the difficult situation between Russia and Ukraine," the statement read.
It explained that respect for its listeners was the company's top priority, and the "arrogant and contemptuous attitude of the musicians towards Russian listeners" left it no choice but to terminate its contract with the artists.
The list included several Ukrainian musicians and three Russian acts, including legendary rock group Aquarium, whose lead singer, Boris Grebenshchikov, had called the war "madness" in a post on Instagram. He is no stranger to political pressure.
"I've spent half my life under some sort of ban", Mr Grebenshchikov told the BBC. "There were bans in the 70s, bans in the 80s - there's nothing unusual about it. Then the same people who ban you give you prizes."

''Russian rapper Oxxxymiron, whose name appears on the "black list" circulated by Russian media, cancelled his upcoming tour in Russia and has instead organised charity concerts abroad - known as "Russians Against War" - to raise money for Ukrainian refugees.
He raised over $30,000 (£22,760) at a performance in Istanbul, and will appear in London later this week.
Announcing the postponement of his Russian tour, Oxxxymiron explained that he could not "entertain people while Russian rockets fall on Ukraine, while residents of Kyiv are forced to hide in their basements and the metro, and while people are dying".

 

[Arkay]

Canada Gives Russian Letter Lamenting Humanitarian Disaster A Scathing Rewrite

Canada’s mission to the United Nations took red ink to a letter from its Russian counterparts that decried the humanitarian disaster unfurling in Eastern Europe as a direct result of the Vladimir Putin-ordered military invasion of Ukraine.

Canada’s mission didn’t have patience for the sympathy purportedly expressed by the Russian envoy, and completely rewrote the note.

It changed this part:

I am reaching out to you with regard to an urgent matter related to the dire humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine. Like other members of the international community, we are gravely concerned about its deterioration.

To this:

I am reaching out to you with regard to an urgent matter related to the dire humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine which we have caused as a result of our illegal war of aggression. We are not gravely concerned about its deterioration because we are the primary cause.

The Canadians also demanded to know: “How do you account for the bombing of a maternity ward and the destruction of over 200 schools?”

And: “How do you account for Russia forces besieging cities, preventing civilians from fleeing, denying humanitarian aid, attacking humanitarian corridors and looting aid?”

It's simply astounding how the Russian envoy could even write such a letter. Thanks for including the entirety of the editing.

It's like the serpent in the Garden of Eden crying in bewilderment that Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

 

[sunshineray]

I used to wonder how my grandparents lived their lives, went to work, shopped in their lovely town, went to church on Sunday, relaxed in the evenings listening to the news on the radio while across the world 6 million Jews were being rounded up and slaughtered. Now I begin to understand.

Yes, gregjrichards, I feel… such an extreme sadness I think you might call it guilt. And by the time my own baby granddaughter grows old enough to wonder how my generation just sat and watched what is happening in Ukraine and is probably coming for other countries I think that guilt will have turned into SHAME, shame of my country and her allies and their inability or unwillingness to tackle this bully, Putin.

Mominmi, I'm just so curious as to what you think we can do? I'm not trying to be flippant or sarcastic because like you and the other poster you answered, I'm in agony for the Ukrainian people. I just fear so sooo much the nuclear devastation Putin and cohorts have at their fingertips and the same at the hands of our leaders. M. A. D is NUTS. Now Putin has made sure the world knows not only does he have nuclear on the table but has the hypersonic missiles to deliver it pretty much unimpeded.

What is the EU, UN and NATO suppose to do...call and go all in?

I can't stand to watch this suffering and death. Are we willing to risk nuclear fallout from really every which way though? Can't forget the man on the edge in North Korea nor the ones in the middle east that decide this is the best time to bomb a US Embassy from over a border.

It truly all is enough to drive a peaceful soul insane. All the above JMO

 

[Mominmi]

I have no idea. But what we’ve done isn’t going to work I don’t think. My random thoughts…. I don’t know that there is anything we can do to prevent Putin from pulling the trigger on a nuclear bomb sooner or later. He considers almost everything an act of war it sounds now. I wouldn’t be the first to launch a nuclear weapon but what we are doing now is just playing into his hands I fear. I would have met him at the border of Ukraine and Russia with the strongest largest NATO , EU force possible and hoped against hope he was too scared to launch a nuclear bomb because of what it would release on his own country. Maybe the Russian people will rise up and claim their freedom before it’s too late. But then we will just be sitting waiting for the next time some crazy has his finger on THE button.

Mominmi, I'm just so curious as to what you think we can do? I'm not trying to be flippant or sarcastic because like you and the other poster you answered, I'm in agony for the Ukrainian people. I just fear so sooo much the nuclear devastation Putin and cohorts have at their fingertips and the same at the hands of our leaders. M. A. D is NUTS. Now Putin has made sure the world knows not only does he have nuclear on the table but has the hypersonic missiles to deliver it pretty much unimpeded.

What is the EU, UN and NATO suppose to do...call and go all in?

I can't stand to watch this suffering and death. Are we willing to risk nuclear fallout from really every which way though? Can't forget the man on the edge in North Korea nor the ones in the middle east that decide this is the best time to bomb a US Embassy from over a border.

It truly all is enough to drive a peaceful soul insane. All the above JMO

 

[Dontknow?]

[URL='https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent']The Kyiv Independent[URL='https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent']@KyivIndependent[/URL][/URL]
2m
Azov: 'bombs falling every 10 minutes' in Mariupol. Azov regiment Captain Svyatoslav Palamar told CNN that the besieged port city continues to suffer heavy bombardment. On March 21, Ukraine rejected the Russian deadline for Mariupol authorities to surrender.

 

[dotr]

Ukraine war: Holocaust survivor killed by Russian shelling in Kharkiv - BBC News

IMAGE SOURCE,BUCHENWALD AND MITTELBAU-DORA MEMORIALS FOUNDATION

''Boris Romantschenko survived detention in four separate concentration camps between 1942 and 1945
A Ukrainian man who survived the Nazi Holocaust during World War Two has been killed during a Russian attack on the eastern city of Kharkiv.

Boris Romantschenko, 96, died during Russian shelling of his apartment block on Friday, relatives said.

Russian forces have been relentlessly shelling Kharkiv, which lies just 30 miles (50km) from the border, for over three weeks.

At least 500 civilians have now been killed there, Ukrainian officials say.

Police said one of the victims has been identified as a nine-year old boy.

The Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation said it was "deeply disturbed" by Mr Romantschenko's death.''

March 21 2022
U.S. Sending Soviet Air Defense Systems It Secretly Acquired to Ukraine - WSJ
''WASHINGTON—The U.S. is sending some of the Soviet-made air defense equipment it secretly acquired decades ago to bolster the Ukrainian military as it seeks to fend off Russian air and missile attacks, U.S. officials said.

The systems, which one U.S. official said include the SA-8, are decades old and were obtained by the U.S. so it could examine the technology used by the Russian military and which Moscow has exported around the world.''

 

[TGIRecovered]

I have no idea. But what we’ve done isn’t going to work I don’t think. My random thoughts…. I don’t know that there is anything we can do to prevent Putin from pulling the trigger on a nuclear bomb sooner or later. He considers almost everything an act of war it sounds now. I wouldn’t be the first to launch a nuclear weapon but what we are doing now is just playing into his hands I fear. I would have met him at the border of Ukraine and Russia with the strongest largest NATO , EU force possible and hoped against hope he was too scared to launch a nuclear bomb because of what it would release on his own country. Maybe the Russian people will rise up and claim their freedom before it’s too late. But then we will just be sitting waiting for the next time some crazy has his finger on THE button.

I'm with you, Mominmi! The stated excuse that providing Migs or participating in a no fly zone will "start WWIII" is a cop-out. I do not believe that this is the true position of our experienced military leaders. Choosing to provide too little, too late to prevent this war or immediately turn those Russian tanks around was a deliberate, destructive decision. MOO.

This type of co-dependent enabling is how criminals of all kinds keep their victims from fighting back to protect themselves and others. It's like saying that you can't protect yourself or your children from being assaulted because if you fight back or call police, the assaults will only get worse. Does the abuser ever say, " Look how well you took that beating! Thank you for saying you fell down the stairs while I was at work! You've done so well, I'm not going to escalate the assaults until I finally kill you." (But they do say, "If I ever do kill you, it's going to be your fault.")
If there is to be a WWIII, Putin is the sole cause of it. He has already started it. The free world is currently making a choice to prolong it until Putin has obliterated Ukraine. He behaves like a feral animal who thrives by preying on the weak. The leaders of the free world must stop behaving like prey, because this war monger won't stop until he is eliminated.
All MOO, with respect to those who believe differently.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Doing some reading this morning and paraphrasing.

The bulk of military KIA are probably under the age of 25, newer recruits. It's bloody and it's gory. Most soldiers that have seen combat don't want to see it again. There's a reason. It's the same with civilians.

I am personally not supportive of making this a million times worse than it is.

JMO

 

[Sundog]

'Save Our Allies' helps rescue Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall from behind enemy lines in Ukraine

Benjamin Hall, injured journalist, rescued by "Save Our Allies" group in Ukraine with the help of the Pentagon and others, is now being treated for his injuries in Germany.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

I wasn’t sure what to make of this on first glance, but it is actually a genius idea. Beckham has over 70 MILLION followers on Instagram; I know it’s currently banned in Russia, but the content will certainly filter through to younger generations there.

What an efficient way to try and spread the truth. Hopefully, in this situation, social media will do good.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60819009
David Beckham hands Instagram account to Ukrainian doctor