Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #7

[gitana1]

Snipped and BBM

Asked by
@CeciliaVega
if the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine would trigger a military response from NATO, Pres. Biden says: "It would trigger a response in kind." https://abcn.ws/3J41yDx

And in God's name is that suppose to mean!!?

I found the quote in context. He was answering whether the US would use military force against Russia if they used chemical weapons. He then appeared to say he wasn’t sure if NATO would join. IMO.

“And to clarify, on chemical weapons: Could — if chemical weapons were used in Ukraine, would that trigger a military response from NATO?

THE PRESIDENT: It would re- — it would trigger a response in kind, whether or not — you’re asking whether NATO would cross; we’d make that decision at the time.”

We aren’t using chemical weapons against the enemy.

 

[MassGuy]

I found the quote in context. He was answering whether the US would use military force against Russia if they used chemical weapons. He then appeared to say he wasn’t sure if NATO would join. IMO.

“And to clarify, on chemical weapons: Could — if chemical weapons were used in Ukraine, would that trigger a military response from NATO?

THE PRESIDENT: It would re- — it would trigger a response in kind, whether or not — you’re asking whether NATO would cross; we’d make that decision at the time.”

We aren’t using chemical weapons against the enemy.

Not only that, but we are on track to have our chemical weapons stockpile completely destroyed by next year. It's been an ongoing process for decades.

DOD Approaches Goal of Destroying All Stockpiled Chemical Weapons > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

 

[Tugela]

The next step in all of this will be China invading eastern Russia to recover the territories Russia took from them in the 1800s. This is actually a thing in China, most of their foreign policy over the last century has been based around correcting the loss of face in what they call the "Century of Humiliation". They want to reverse all of those losses from that period. They will see that Russia is weak, and that most of their fighting force is distracted in Ukraine and preparing for a potential broader war with NATO. This war could be the end of Russia as we know it, even if they do eventually defeat Ukraine.

Don't be surprised if you wake up one morning to the news that Chinese tanks are attacking Vladivostok.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

A good start in helping the EU to be less reliant on Russian gas:

EU signs US gas deal to curb reliance on Russia

 

[sds71]

The Mariupol city council says it now believes about 300 people died in the Russian attack on Mariupol's theater 9 days ago, which was being used as a shelter for as many as 1,300 civilians.

Mariupol authorities estimate that 300 people were killed in Russian strike on theater

 

[badgersmythe]

New fears for Chernobyl as Russians attack homes of plant staff


New fears for Chernobyl: Russian troops are now attacking the homes of plant staff | Daily Mail Online

 

[badgersmythe]

Biden heads to Poland to meet refugees cast out by Putin's invasion


Biden heads to Poland where he will refugees cast out by Putin's Ukraine invasion | Daily Mail Online

 

[badgersmythe]

Ukraine war: More than 400,000 civilians 'taken hostage' by Russia


Ukraine war: More than 400,000 civilians 'taken hostage' by Russia | Daily Mail Online

 

[PommyMommy]

Euromaidan Press on Twitter - 3 hrs ago
Ukrainian Police Gen. Vyacheslav Abroskin offers to surrender himself to Russia in exchange for the evacuation of Mariupol children "Let me into Mariupol to gather the children... At the last checkpoint on the way back with the children, I'll surrender," he wrote. https://facebook.com/100008480501304/posts/2851638315128824/

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Abroskin to the Russian troops: "I am a police general who from 2014 to 2018 organized opposition against you first-hand in Donetsk Oblast. I am included in your sanctions lists. I am on your wanted list." (cont)

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Abroskin to the Russian troops: "My life belongs to me alone and I offer it in exchange for the lives of children who still remain in Mariupol."

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Reuters: US estimates an up to 60% failure rate for Russian missiles attacking Ukraine. Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said 467 Russian missiles hit Ukraine since Feb. 24. A total of over 1,200 missiles were launched by Russia since the war began.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Russian troops shelled a municipal hospital in Kharkiv's Osnovyanskyi district, killing 4 A humanitarian aid center is located in the attacked hospital, the Kharkiv Police said that seven people were wounded, four of them died. https://t.me/suspilnekharkiv/10191

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 2 hrs ago
Synyehubov: Russian forces shell Kharkiv airport. According to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Synyehubov, Russia attacked the Kharkiv airport using multiple launch rocket systems. Russia also attacked the city with Grad and Uragan missile launch systems.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 25 min ago

• Russia transfers new troops to Belarus to replenish its assault force
• 4 Russian warships entered Azov Sea, crossing the Kerch Strait

 

[Bit of hope]

New fears for Chernobyl as Russians attack homes of plant staff


New fears for Chernobyl: Russian troops are now attacking the homes of plant staff | Daily Mail Online

Are they stupid or what...if something happens to the plant they will be killed too.

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/25/ukraine-war-latest-news-sanctions-a-little-late-zelenskiy-tells-european-council-biden-to-visit-poland-live']Russia-Ukraine war: Mariupol theatre bombing death toll ‘at least 300’ as UN reports mass graves in city – latest | World news | The Guardian[/URL]

4h ago 05:36
Northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv cut off by Russian forces
The northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv has in effect been cut off by Russian forces, the regional governor said this morning according to reports from Reuters.

“The city has been conditionally, operationally surrounded by the enemy,” Governor Viacheslav Chaus said on national television, adding that the city was under fire from artillery and warplanes.

3h ago 05:55
Finland’s national railway operator will suspend services between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg in Russia on Monday, closing one of the last public transport routes to the European Union for Russians.

Reuters report that operator VR had been directed by the state that it was no longer appropriate to run the service, “So we are suspending the traffic for the time being,” head of passenger traffic Topi Simola said.

Trains from Russia to Finland’s capital Helsinki have been full of Russians since the invasion of Ukraine. The border between Finland and Russia remains open for crossings by private car.

2h ago 07:32
Russian forces have partially created a land corridor to Crimea from territory in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Ukraine’s defence ministry said.

“The enemy was partially successful in creating a land corridor between the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and part of Donetsk region,” it said in an online post.

It comes after British intelligence said on Friday Ukraine’s forces had retaken towns 35km east of Kyiv.

2h ago 07:44
Ukraine’s deputy prime minister says Ukraine wants a humanitarian corridor for Chernihiv on Saturday, Reuters reports.

Iryna Vereshchuk said negotiations with Russia on creating humanitarian corridors were difficult, with Russia wanting civilians to evacuate to Russian-controlled territory.

[...]

1h ago 08:16
Video appears to show Russian shelling of civilians receiving humanitarian aid in Kharkiv

Video:

Oleksandra Matviichuk on Twitter
Russians fired on the Nova Poshta postal department in Kharkiv, where Kharkiv residents were receiving humanitarian aid. Here the video of a rocket hitting a crowd of civilians in line #RussiansWarCrimes

Oleksandra Matviichuk on Twitter
Love is watching together a Russian warship burning. Source spokesman of the Odesa Military Administration. #StandWithUkraine

 

[sunshineray]

It has always been a chess match. And what scares me is world wars start when there is an imbalance between opposing ideologies/forces, when it comes to territory. That’s where we are now, with democracy having taken the lead.

It really is such a small plant.

 

[dotr]

March 25 2022 rbbm.
Putin's war in Ukraine nearing possibly more dangerous phase | CP24.com
''Russian shortcomings in Ukraine might be the biggest shock of the war so far. After two decades of modernization and professionalization, Putin’s forces have proved to be ill-prepared, poorly coordinated and surprisingly stoppable. The extent of Russian troop losses is not known in detail, although NATO estimates that between 7,000 and 15,000 have died in the first four weeks — potentially as many as Russia lost in a decade of war in Afghanistan.

Robert Gates, the former CIA director and defense secretary, said Putin “has got to be stunningly disappointed” in his military's performance.

“Here we are in Ukraine seeing conscripts not knowing why they’re there, not being very well trained, and just huge problems with command and control, and incredibly lousy tactics,” Gates said at a forum sponsored by The OSS Society, a group honoring the World War II-era intelligence agency known as the Office of Strategic Services.

Battlefield trends are difficult to reliably discern from the outside, but some Western officials say they see potentially significant shifts. Air Vice-Marshal Mick Smeath, London's defense attaché in Washington, says British intelligence assesses that Ukrainian forces probably have retaken two towns west of Kyiv, the capital.

“It is likely that successful counterattacks by Ukraine will disrupt the ability of Russian forces to reorganize and resume their own offensive towards Kyiv,” Smeath said in a brief statement Wednesday.''

 

[Sundog]

Erdoğan: Ukraine and Russia nearing 'consensus' on 4 of 6 key issues to ending the war

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are nearing "consensus" on key issues to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war. Turkey has been hosting diplomatic talks between the nations.

<snipped>

"As is known, there is almost a consensus regarding such issues as NATO, disarmament, collective security and using Russian as official language in the technical infrastructure works during the ongoing process in Belarus," the Turkish president added. "However, there is the issue of Crimea and Donbass, which is impossible for Ukraine to consent to."

"I think Mr. Zelensky has displayed wise leadership with an understanding to take the issue to referendum by saying ‘That is a decision that must be made by the entire Ukrainian people'," Erdoğan added.

 

[Sundog]

Benjamin Hall, Fox News' war correspondent who was seriously injured in Ukraine, is now recovering in Texas military hospital following several surgeries in Germany.

Fox News' Benjamin Hall transferred to Texas after suffering serious injuries reporting from Ukraine

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 25, 2022
Some prominent Russians quit jobs, refuse to support war | AP News
[...]

A number of public figures have condemned the invasion of Ukraine and left their posts at state-run institutions and companies, which could signal divisions in Russia’s official ranks over the war. So far there have been no indications that the resignations have reached into Putin’s inner circle.

The handful of departures came as Putin blasted those opposing his course as “scum and traitors,” which Russian society would spit out “like a gnat.”

Some of the high-profile figures who have turned their backs on the Kremlin because of the war:

ANATOLY CHUBAIS

On Wednesday, the Kremlin confirmed media reports about the resignation of Chubais, 66, who was the architect of Yeltsin’s privatization campaign. The reports, citing anonymous sources, said he stepped down because of the war. He hasn’t publicly commented on his resignation.

Under Yeltsin, Chubais reportedly recommended the administration hire Putin, a move that was widely seen as an important stepping stone in Putin’s career. Putin became president of Russia in 2000, when Yeltsin stepped down.

[...]

ARKADY DVORKOVICH

Arkady Dvorkovich once served as Russia’s deputy prime minister and is currently chairman of the International Chess Federation, or FIDE. He criticized the war with Ukraine in comments made to Mother Jones magazine on March 14 and came under fire from the Kremlin’s ruling party.

[...]

FedEx flight planned to ship medical supplies for Ukrainians | AP News
The aid includes an emergency field hospital containing 50 beds, IV poles and kits, defibrillators, tourniquets and oxygen supplies, said Direct Relief, which is providing the supplies.

Also included on the flight will be COVID-19 treatments, antibiotics, inhalers, wound dressings and medicines for heart, thyroid and respiratory conditions, Direct Relief said.

Ukraine says Moscow is forcibly taking civilians to Russia | AP News
Lyudmyla Denisova, Ukraine’s ombudsperson, said 402,000 people, including 84,000 children, had been taken to Russia.

The Kremlin gave nearly identical numbers for those who have been relocated, but said they wanted to go to Russia. Ukraine’s rebel-controlled eastern regions are predominantly Russian-speaking, and many people there have supported close ties to Moscow.

 

[Vern]

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 24 | Institute for the Study of War (understandingwar.org)

March 24, 6:30 pm ET

Russian forces continue to make slow but steady progress in Mariupol, entering the city center on March 24, but conducted few offensive operations elsewhere in the country. Ukrainian counterattacks northwest of Kyiv in the past several days continue to relieve pressure on the city, and Russian forces continued to dig in. Ukrainian forces repelled limited Russian attacks northeast of the city and around Kharkiv.

Key Takeaways

• Russian forces entered central Mariupol on March 24 and continued to take ground across the city. Local Ukrainian authorities left the city in order to better coordinate regional operations amid the deteriorating situation in Mariupol itself.
• Ukrainian forces conducted a successful attack on Russian ships docked at the occupied port of Berdyansk, likely sinking a landing ship and damaging or sinking another. Ukraine’s demonstrated ability to inflict serious damage on Berdyansk may disrupt Russian forces from renewing attempts to reinforce operations in Mariupol and around Kherson by sea.
• Ukrainian forces did not retake any territory in continuing counterattacks northwest of Kyiv but forced Russian troops onto the defensive.
• Ukrainian forces repelled renewed Russian attempts to advance toward Brovary from the northeast and complete the encirclement of Chernihiv.
• Russian forces continue to shell Kharkiv and struck a humanitarian aid delivery point, killing six and wounding 15.
• Russian forces secured several minor advances in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the last 24 hours.

The Ukrainian government and military directly stated for the first time on March 24 that the Kremlin believes its invasion of Ukraine has entered a second, “protracted” phase.

Russian forces are engaged in four primary efforts at this time:

• Main effort—Kyiv (comprised of three subordinate supporting efforts);
• Supporting effort 1—Kharkiv;
  • Supporting effort 1a—Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts;
• Supporting effort 2—Mariupol; and
• Supporting effort 3—Kherson and advances northward and westward.

Main effort—Kyiv axis: Russian operations on the Kyiv axis are aimed at encircling the city from the northwest, west, and east.

Subordinate main effort along the west bank of the Dnipro

Social media users geolocated footage released by Chechen forces on March 24 to a street in Borodyanka, confirming the presence of Chechen Rosgvardia units in ongoing fighting northwest of Kyiv.

Subordinate supporting effort — Chernihiv and Sumy axis

Immediate items to watch

• Russian forces will likely capture Mariupol or force the city to capitulate within the coming weeks and have entered the city center;
• Russia will expand its air, missile, and artillery bombardments of Ukrainian cities;
• Ukrainian officials suggest that Ukrainian forces may launch a larger counter-attack in western Kyiv Oblast in the coming days;
• The continued involvement of the Black Sea Fleet in the Battle of Mariupol reduces the likelihood of an amphibious landing near Odesa, Russian naval shelling of Odesa in recent days notwithstanding.

 

[sunshineray]

As a bit of back story, from 2012, this article is very informative to kind of set today's stage.

UPDATE 3-Putin sacks Russian defence minister amid scandal


This one tells the tales right now, IMO

The Sergei Shoigu Enigma, 'Last Man In The Bunker' With Putin

(...)

Putin's inner-circle

"The Financial Times names Putin's last five associates as foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, 72, foreign intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin, 67, secretary of Russia's security council Nikolai Patrushev, 70, chief executive of the energy company Rosneft Igor Sechin, 61, and defense minister Sergei Shoigu, 66."...


A system devouring itself

"The system is beginning to devour itself," Osechkin says. "It's even reaching the people closest to the director of the Rosgvardia [National Guard of Russia], which indicates that a personnel war is now taking place: who will agree with whom on what and who will set whom up."

According to the journalist, these personnel decisions mean the weakening of the power bloc, which evidently has people who are aware of the destructiveness of Putin's actions.

Yet Putin remains in power, and the war continues against all odds..."

It seems like a hopeless situation to save face. World needs to worry just how much blind loyalty is left and what those idiots and Putin will do in their insanity to say to the world, "You're not the boss of me!"

IMO that is the mentality the world is fighting...a tantrum from it's biggest and richest dictator. Don't forget, he wrestled and then rode a bear to prove his machismo.

AJMO

 

[sunshineray]

I found the quote in context. He was answering whether the US would use military force against Russia if they used chemical weapons. He then appeared to say he wasn’t sure if NATO would join. IMO.

“And to clarify, on chemical weapons: Could — if chemical weapons were used in Ukraine, would that trigger a military response from NATO?

THE PRESIDENT: It would re- — it would trigger a response in kind, whether or not — you’re asking whether NATO would cross; we’d make that decision at the time.”

We aren’t using chemical weapons against the enemy.

Thank you

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
Putin lapdog's party-loving stepdaughter hit with U.K. sanctions | Toronto Sun
''The vodka is now on ice for the luxury-loving stepdaughter of Vladimir Putin lapdog Sergei Lavrov.''

''The U.K. has now punished the 26-year-old party girl in a new round of sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs and their families.
Also hit were the notorious mercenaries described as “Putin’s private army,” The Wagner Group.
Polina Kovaleva reportedly lives in London in a posh $7-million home in trendy Kensington. The jet-setting graduate of the Imperial College is the most prominent target of the latest sanctions.
Her mother is reportedly Svetlana Polyakova, 51, a member of the Russian Foreign Ministry who accompanies Lavrov on every foreign trip.''

''Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “These oligarchs, businesses and hired thugs are complicit in the murder of innocent civilians and it is right that they pay the price. Putin should be under no illusions – we are united with our allies and will keep tightening the screw on the Russian economy to help ensure he fails in Ukraine. There will be no let-up.''

“All those sanctioned today will have their assets in the U.K. frozen which means no U.K. citizen or company can do business with them, and individuals subject to travel bans are also prohibited from travelling to or from the U.K.”
Maria Pevchikh, the head of investigations at the Anti-Corruption Foundation said Kovaleva’s cash comes from stepdaddy.''