Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #7

[LadyL]

N.S. fisherman trapped by Russian shelling as he tries to drive Ukrainians to safety

 

[CrimeAway]

There is continual Russian interference with the political system here in the US, including hacking into election software at various levels of government, hacking into personal email accounts of political figures, false flag political social media accounts, and an army of internet trolls on all kind of MSM sites. IMO, there's no doubt that Russia wants to overthrow the US government, determine the outcome of elections, and sow chaos and division. IMO there's no reason for an apology. With regard to overthrowing leadership, IMO Russia is ultimately doing the same thing.

There's a BBC documentary on YouTube called "Hypernormalisation" by Adam Curtis, that deals with many of these issues. If one searches for "hypernormalisation 2016" or "hypernormalisation Russia," someone has uploaded an 11 minute section of the full documentary. That short section features information about Russian propaganda, interference in foreign elections, and efforts to sow discord in western countries. The full documentary is also available on YT, and I thought it was enlightening.

 

[LadyL]

These Russian journalists found a way to report from outside the country - CNN

 

[CrimeAway]

WOW! You know what stuck out to me in all that...kevlar umbrellas, like The Kingsman

Weaponized umbrellas are also a thing:

Georgi Markov - Wikipedia

 

[Arkay]

Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine ‘prepared to discuss neutrality as part of peace deal’, with talks between sides to resume | World news | The Guardian

2h ago 16:52
Watch the Ukrainian president’s interview with Russian reporters

The full interview with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, already the subject of a crackdown by the Russian government on the media outlets involved, is available here with English subtitles.

Natalia Krapiva ‍ on Twitter
NEW:@ZelenskyyUa just gave a remarkable interview to Russian independent
@meduzaproject @kommersant @novaya_gazeta & @tvraine, who defied Russian
government orders not to release it. Here are some highlights in English.

[...]

16m ago 18:56
Zelenskiy claims that 2,000 children from Mariupol have been taken by Russia: CNN

One of the most striking claims in the Ukrainian president’s interview with Russian reporters was Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s assertion that Russia has “stolen” 2,000 children from Mariupol during attempts to evacuate civilians from the city, CNN reported.

[...]

I watched the entire hour and a half video on YouTube. I am still astonished at how Zelenskyy finds the strength and courage to consent to all these interviews, no matter his exhaustion and the constant risk he is enduring.

IMO he was very honest, very candid, very human. I thought the very idea that Russian journalists were interviewing him meant they were sympathetic to Ukraine, and I know Russia has banned the interview from being broadcast, but I actually felt that the Russian journalists were not, in fact, so sympathetic. For example, they repeatedly questioned Zelenskyy about documents that they said showed Zelenskyy as a warmonger, despite him telling them several times that they were all fake documents. I also thought their tone was slightly hostile.

But then again, if they interviewed Zelenskyy and gave him a platform, they must be sympathetic after all.

I can't tell, but it was a remarkable interview IMO. When does that man sleep?

 

[Sundog]

Turkey to host next round of Russia-Ukraine negotiation talks

It's 5 a.m Monday, March 28th in Istanbul right now. Negotiations begin in just over 24 hours (on Tuesday, according to Russian team as reported elsewhere in MSM, posted above).

 

[Charlot123]

I agree with both of your statements. Sorry to be annoying, but I think it was Louis XV who said that. But Louis XIV, the Sun King, said "l'état c'est moi," (I am the State), which is how I see Putin. He is the Russian nation, in his view, like Louis XIV was France.

So who comes after him? If he is disposed of (fingers crossed), most of his inner circle are truly committed to him, it seems. Many are childhood friends. All are in power due to him. Putin is the nation now, but would his successor be just the same?

IMO there would have to be a revolution to overthrow Putin's entire circle. I don't know that that would happen.

Revolution, or… there will be a group ruling under his name, and sooner or later, there will be Kim Il Sung’s “dynasty”.

Their only problem is, ironically, what they accused Ukraine of and what Ukraine doesn’t have, apparently (see Zelinskiy).

You are right, the saying belongs to Louis XV, or perhaps, his favorite, Madame de Pompadour. Many of the autocrats lived according to this principle, and by this, unwillingly, created dynastic crises when they passed away. History repeats itself.

 

[Charlot123]

Fascinating article! RSBM for members’ sake.

I don’t doubt that Putin has valid reasons to be paranoid, but IMHO, living this life would be hell and quite frankly not worth it. Paranoia begets more paranoia and I believe it also provides a terrifying look into some very dark places in his subconscious many suspect have been there for a long time. In my experience (with the exception of diagnosable mental illness with paranoid features), one would have a hard time imagining such incredible persecution if they themselves had not entertained the idea in regards to doing the same thing to others.

Well, there is a theory that Stalin was poisoned, and while I am not 100% subscribing to it, I think there is a certain chance. Kremlin’s inhabitants, old tzars, had high levels of mercury in their bones. Take Elena Glinskaya, Ivan IVth mother, Anastasia, his first wife, and maybe the tzar himself. So some of these fears are probably, not unusual. They are history-bound.
This being said, power in Russia is sacral, it comes from the Golden Horde. Seriously. Several historians noticed it.

 

[PommyMommy]

Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine ‘prepared to discuss neutrality as part of peace deal’, with talks between sides to resume | World news | The Guardian

36m ago 22:27
Civilians in Ukraine continue to fight back in creative, new ways.

According to Belarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova, who is based in the western city of Lviv, local coffee shops are displaying Russian losses in their windows.

Hanna Liubakova on Twitter
#Ukraine Lviv. The losses of the Russian army are mentioned and renewed daily at the door of the famous Lviv Coffee Mine.

[...]

1h ago 02:56
In an earlier interview for Russian media, published and transcribed by the presidential offie of Ukraine, Zelenskiy spoke of a “cultural split” that has taken place towards Russians in Ukraine.

"A global historical and cultural split took place during this month. It’s not just a war, I think it’s much worse.”

Zelenskiy noted that before the war some Ukrainians were loyal to Russia but after the destruction of their cities and death of civilians, this attitude has changed to hatred, adding that he believed the damage is “irreparable”.

"I think this is the worst disappointment that has happened. Disappointment that turned into hatred of the nations. I have no answer as to how it can be returned, there is no answer as to whether it will ever return.”

[...]

2h ago 02:13
The Ukrainian military has released its latest operational report as of 10pm local time, claiming Russia has withdrawn troops that were surrounding Kyiv after suffering significant losses.

The withdrawal has “significantly decreased” the intensity of Russia’s advance, the general staff of the armed forces said.

Officials added that they believed Russia was also transporting ‘Iskander’ missiles to Kalinkovichy in the Gomel region of south-eastern Belarus.

[...]

NEXTA on Twitter - 5 hrs ago
The USS Forrest Sherman arrived at the port of #Gdansk, #Poland.


USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) - Wikipedia
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy and is the second US Navy ship to bear the name. She is part of Destroyer Squadron 28.

 

[sunshineray]

Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine ‘prepared to discuss neutrality as part of peace deal’, with talks between sides to resume | World news | The Guardian

2h ago 16:52
Watch the Ukrainian president’s interview with Russian reporters

The full interview with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, already the subject of a crackdown by the Russian government on the media outlets involved, is available here with English subtitles.

Natalia Krapiva ‍ on Twitter
NEW:@ZelenskyyUa just gave a remarkable interview to Russian independent
@meduzaproject @kommersant @novaya_gazeta & @tvraine, who defied Russian
government orders not to release it. Here are some highlights in English.

[...]

16m ago 18:56
Zelenskiy claims that 2,000 children from Mariupol have been taken by Russia: CNN

One of the most striking claims in the Ukrainian president’s interview with Russian reporters was Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s assertion that Russia has “stolen” 2,000 children from Mariupol during attempts to evacuate civilians from the city, CNN reported.

[...]

I saw/heard no artifice in the man, JMO

 

[Charlot123]

Russia-Ukraine war latest: Ukraine ‘prepared to discuss neutrality as part of peace deal’, with talks between sides to resume | World news | The Guardian

36m ago 22:27
Civilians in Ukraine continue to fight back in creative, new ways.

According to Belarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova, who is based in the western city of Lviv, local coffee shops are displaying Russian losses in their windows.

Hanna Liubakova on Twitter
#Ukraine Lviv. The losses of the Russian army are mentioned and renewed daily at the door of the famous Lviv Coffee Mine.

[...]

1h ago 02:56
In an earlier interview for Russian media, published and transcribed by the presidential offie of Ukraine, Zelenskiy spoke of a “cultural split” that has taken place towards Russians in Ukraine.

"A global historical and cultural split took place during this month. It’s not just a war, I think it’s much worse.”

Zelenskiy noted that before the war some Ukrainians were loyal to Russia but after the destruction of their cities and death of civilians, this attitude has changed to hatred, adding that he believed the damage is “irreparable”.

"I think this is the worst disappointment that has happened. Disappointment that turned into hatred of the nations. I have no answer as to how it can be returned, there is no answer as to whether it will ever return.”

[...]

snipped for brevity, sorry.

OMG…

You can not imagine how tightly twisted the histories were. Zelenskiy - a mixture of a Russian and a Jew, his mother tongue is Russian. Started studying Ukrainian in 2018. Brothers Klitchko - mother is a Russian, father - a Ukrainian, mother tongue - Russian. In Russia - even Shoigu, who is from Tuva on his father’s line, has maternal roots from Eastern Ukraine.

How many Russians lived in Ukraine, how many Ukrainians live in Russia. Did it ever matter? No. My aunt, a Russian woman, lived with her Jewish husband in Kiev for 40 years, till he died. I want to find his relatives, maybe they need help now.

Now, what happened, these Russian/Ukrainians living in Ukraine…with their houses destroyed, how do they feel? They feel Ukrainian, they join Ukrainian army and they probably have no inclination to call the country bombing them their historic motherland.

It is a huge tragedy. It is Jugoslavia all over. Only in Jugoslavia, there at least were different religions. Granted, West Ukraine is Greek Catholic, but even Catholicism is not that far from Orthodox. The rest of Ukraine is Eastern Orthodox. Celebrating Easter on the same day. How could Slavs kill - and be killed - by Slavs?

 

[GRT]

Petraeus predicts Mariupol will soon fall to Russia.

The worst thing about this--JMOO--is that it was always likely to fall, which means a whole lot of people died who didn't have to die.

I'm torn on military support to Ukraine from western nations because it only enables them to fight longer--it doesn't give them a chance of succeeding. But, do western nations understand that their gifts of weapons and munitions only mean more Ukrainian deaths? I don't think so.

Because of the history between Ukraine and Russia, I greatly prefer that western nations send money to Ukraine to help house homeless citizens right now, feed them, clothe them, and provide medical attention. Attend to their immediate needs.

Ukraine is not going to win a war with Russia--not unless NATO steps in--and NATO isn't going to do that.

My hope is that Zelensky decides to negotiate in earnest because his people are dying and he not ever going to convince NATO to step in.

Perilous moment for Ukraine nears as Mariupol looks set to fall: Petraeus

 

[dotr]

March 28 2022
Russia-Ukraine war latest news: Kremlin says talks in Turkey may now start on Tuesday – live | World news | The Guardian
''Russia's Novaya Gazeta suspends publication after official warning
Novaya Gazeta, the Russian newspaper whose editor Dmitry Muratov was last year awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has said it will suspend its activities until “the end of the special operation in Ukraine”.
It comes after the newspaper received a second official warning from the Russian state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor.
Roskomnadzor said Novaya Gazeta failed to mark a non-governmental organisation mentioned in one of its stories as a “foreign agent” in accordance with Russian legislation.''
....
''Germany has said individuals who display the letter “Z” to show support for Russia’s war in Ukraine could be liable to prosecution.
The letter “Z” has been used as a marking on Russian military vehicles taking part in the conflict'' and has become the main symbol of public support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.''

A T-shirt with the symbol ‘Z’ on it is being sold in a souvenir shop in Moscow. Photograph: Vlad Karkov/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock
....
''The European Commission has called on governments to halt the sale of citizenship to investors and to suspend the sale of visas to Russians and Belarusians.
The move comes amid concerns that people hit by EU sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may be holders of EU golden visas or passports, Reuters reports.
The European Commission said:
Some Russian or Belarusian nationals who are subject to sanctions or are significantly supporting the war in Ukraine might have acquired EU citizenship or privileged access to the EU, including to travel freely in the Schengen area, under these schemes.''

 

[Bit of hope]

Not OT but the consequences in “our free world”

Meanwhile in The Netherlands:

Intelligence services want to use war to expand their own powers

Inlichtingendiensten willen oorlog gebruiken om eigen bevoegdheden te verruimen - Joop - BNNVARA

From the article.
Insiders say they are stunned that the intelligence services are using the war to expand their powers under the Sleep Act. <sleep wet....and it has nothing to do with sleep....snoring so to say, it's the Intelligence and Security Services Act (Wiv) - popularly called the tap law or drag (sleep) law > They point out that the AIVD and MIVD can already operate without permission in the event of urgent threats. In addition, they say the war has so far not been "accompanied by large-scale digital attacks." Moreover, it has become apparent in the past that the AIVD and MIVD have a good overview of Russian hacking groups'. It is not yet known when the bill will go to the House.

 

[Bit of hope]

"Collective guilt"

I'm sorry...this is easy said...I don't feel a collective guilt at all. Putin is the aggressor, Putin's troops are causing this humanitarian drama....He don't need to, never needed to. Sad...horrified....absolutely...but I don't feel guilty.

 

[Bit of hope]

Euromaidan Press on Twitter - 27 min ago
Significant fires broke out in Chornobyl Russian occupiers continue to ignore serious consequences of fires. As a result of combustion, radionuclides are released into atmosphere; wind can carry them over long distances,incl European countries–Reintegr.Minister Ірина Верещук - Прошу поширити це звернення, щоб лідери... | Facebook

What the heck....is this the truth? I'm so very angry......because of this, but also about everything that is happening.....can't help myself, feeling helpless....

 

[Bit of hope]

Petraeus predicts Mariupol will soon fall to Russia.

The worst thing about this--JMOO--is that it was always likely to fall, which means a whole lot of people died who didn't have to die.

I'm torn on military support to Ukraine from western nations because it only enables them to fight longer--it doesn't give them a chance of succeeding. But, do western nations understand that their gifts of weapons and munitions only mean more Ukrainian deaths? I don't think so.

Because of the history between Ukraine and Russia, I greatly prefer that western nations send money to Ukraine to help house homeless citizens right now, feed them, clothe them, and provide medical attention. Attend to their immediate needs.

Ukraine is not going to win a war with Russia--not unless NATO steps in--and NATO isn't going to do that.

My hope is that Zelensky decides to negotiate in earnest because his people are dying and he not ever going to convince NATO to step in.

Perilous moment for Ukraine nears as Mariupol looks set to fall: Petraeus

I first thought Petraeus was a predicting person from the Nostradamus school...but no....I think it's very clear by now Ukraine isn't a Nato member...and they can give (defensive) weapons and all kinds of humanitarian aid, but they can't step in for obvious reasons. European countries do what they can, but if Russians keep on bombing people who want to flee or not letting food, medicines etc. in...or even steel it......who's fault is that?

 

[Sundog]

As long as negotiations are still underway, I don't feel it is hopeless. It is now 4 p.m. on Monday in Kyiv, Moscow and Istanbul. They are back at the negotiating table tomorrow, according to reports. Each step taken toward a peace agreement is a step forward. May tomorrow's negotiations bring them closer to something that they can all agree on.

 

[GRT]

I first thought Petraeus was a predicting person from the Nostradamus school...but no....I think it's very clear by now Ukraine isn't a Nato member...and they can give (defensive) weapons and all kinds of humanitarian aid, but they can't step in for obvious reasons. European countries do what they can, but if Russians keep on bombing people who want to flee or not letting food, medicines etc. in...or even steel it......who's fault is that?

Obviously, it's Russia's fault, but that's not the point I'm trying to make, although I'm probably making it poorly. Even disregarding Petraeus, many others are now predicting the fall of Mariupol.

As the war in Ukraine moves into its second month, fears grow of Mariupol’s fall to Russia.
Ukraine defends strategically important Mariupol amid relentless attacks
‘God has left Mariupol’: diary entries chart horror of besieged city in Ukraine

My point is that Ukraine isn't going to beat Russia, no matter how many weapons/munitions we send them.

To me, the best way to save lives at this point is to negotiate a ceasefire and a compromise. Yes, that will mean the probable loss of the Donbas region and Mariupol, but it looks like a foregone conclusion, so I advocate for saving lives rather than fighting until the last man is standing and then losing that ground anyway.

JMOO--but I don't think we're really helping the Ukrainians by sending weapons that will be instrumental in more of their deaths.

I keep thinking of an old Kenny Rogers song, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em..."

 

[PommyMommy]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 6 hrs ago
Armed Forces: Russia attempts to break through defenses near Kyiv. According to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Russian troops are attempting to advance on Kyiv from the northwest and east, capturing nearby roads and villages. Russian forces are currently being held back by Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Armed Forces: heavy fighting near Izyum continues. According to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Russia continues to attack villages of Topolske, Kamyanka, and Sukha Kamyanka near the city of Izyum, southeast of Kharkiv.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 4 hrs ago
No humanitarian evacuations to take place on March 28, due to potential provocations. According to Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, humanitarian corridors won’t take place following intelligence reports that Russia plans to stage provocations along evacuation routes.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 3 hrs
Kharkiv shelled over 200 times within 24 hours. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Synegubov said that Russia had used artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars to shell the city.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Fighting near Kyiv disrupts power supply. According to the Kyiv City State Administration, as a result of fighting near Kyiv, two high-voltage power lines have been damaged, leaving several of Kyiv’s western neighborhoods without power.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 2 hrs ago
Zelensky: Some mayors abducted by Russia turned up dead. “(Russians) are kidnapping the mayors of our cities. Some of them we cannot find. Some of them we have already found, and they are dead,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with The Economist.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 1 hr ago
Peskov: No plans for Putin-Zelensky meeting. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, says that Putin isn’t planning on meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky following the fourth round of Ukraine-Russian negotiations on March 29 in Istanbul.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Mariupol authorities estimate that about 160,000 people are left in besieged Mariupol, out of the pre-war population of over 400,000. All of them need to be evacuated from the city due to the deepening humanitarian crisis, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said on March 28.