Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 **Media Thread** NO DISCUSSION #2

[PommyMommy]

Moscow is recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to fight in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion is poised to expand deeper into cities, according to U.S. officials.

An American assessment indicates that Russia, which has been operating inside Syria since 2015, has in recent days been recruiting fighters from there, hoping their expertise in urban combat can help take Kyiv and deal a devastating blow to the Ukraine government, according to four American officials. The move points to a potential escalation of fighting in Ukraine, experts said.

According to a publication based in Deir Ezzor, Syria, Russia has offered volunteers from the country between $200 and $300 “to go to Ukraine and operate as guards” for six months at a time.

WSJ News Exclusive | Russia Recruiting Syrians for Urban Combat in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say

 

[PommyMommy]

How to Support Ukraine on Etsy
If you want to directly contribute to Ukraine citizens,

1. Search “digital files” on Etsy.com.
2. Click the “All Filters” button and scroll down to “Country.”
3. Under “Custom,” enter Ukraine.

The results will include all digital files created and sold by Ukraine-based Etsy sellers. Once you purchase an item, the file will immediately become available for download. The transaction allows Ukrainian sellers to earn money without having to produce anything new during this tough time.

Want to Help the People of Ukraine? How to Support Them Via Etsy

 

[PommyMommy]

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the safety of Ukraine's nuclear power plants Sunday, according to a Kremlin readout of the call between the two leaders.

When Macron expressed concern about ensuring the nuclear power plants' safety, Putin responded about what he called "the provocation staged by Ukrainian radicals in the area of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the involvement of a sabotage group," according to the readout.

"Russian troops are in cooperation with Ukrainian personnel and continue to ensure the operation of the nuclear power plant in the normal mode and the radioactive background remains normal," Putin said.

He added these details were officially confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"The physical and nuclear safety of the plant is well protected," the readout said.

The statement also noted Russian Armed Forces "control the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant" to ensure there are no "provocations fraught with catastrophic consequences by Ukrainian neo-Nazis or terrorists."

When Macron asked about the idea of holding a trilateral (IAEA-Russia-Ukraine) meeting in the Chernobyl zone to ensure the safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, Putin said, "In principle, this idea could be useful, but it would be worth considering whether to hold such a meeting via videoconference or in a third country."

The two leaders also discussed the issue of evacuating the civilian population from areas of clashes. Putin accused Ukraine of not fulfilling "the agreements reached on such an acute humanitarian issue."

The Kremlin readout also said "Ukrainian nationalists did not allow the evacuation from these cities. And the pause in hostilities was again used to build up forces and means in their positions."

Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine

 

[PommyMommy]

NEXTA on Twitter
NEXTA@nexta_tv·5m️The armed forces of #Ukraine liberated the city of #Chuguev in the #Kharkiv region. #Russian side suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipment, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
WSJ: Russia recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to be sent to Ukraine to help take Kyiv, according to U.S. officials.

The WSJ said it is unclear how many fighters have been identified, but some are already in Russia preparing to enter Ukraine, according to one official.

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/britain-pledges-100-million-to-help-keep-ukrainian-state-running/ar-AAUHAiY?li=AAggFp4&ocid=ACERDHP17']Britain pledges $100 million to help keep Ukrainian state running[/URL]

NATO could implement measures to isolate Putin now: ANALYSIS

How successive U.S. administrations resisted arming Ukraine

Ukraine says Russia steps up shelling of residential areas

NATO nations have 'green light' to send jets to Ukraine; cease-fire in Mariupol collapses: Live updates
NATO nations have 'green light' to send jets to Ukraine; cease-fire in Mariupol collapses: Live updates

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/quebec-doctors-are-providing-virtual-tra
Quebec doctors are providing virtual training for Ukrainian health-care workers

 

[PommyMommy]

Shoigu and Gerasimov: Masters of Putin's wars

Sergei Shougu is considered to be the “master of the modernization” of the Russian army. Even considering that Russia inherited most of the Soviet Union institutions (and the Soviet Union used to be called “Upper Volta with the rockets”), Putin had enough petrodollars for modernization, and I assume he gave the funds to his generals. But even this war shows that a lot has been stolen. And then, likely, the trusted men persuaded Putin that he had the best army in the world.

If the time has come to end this war (and I doubt anyone will do it now, but people may be weighing pros and cons), then there’d better be a good plan of handling the postwar situation, long-term, because this new agglomeration will not survive forever, but it might live for a while. And this calls to newer, better politicians, intelligence and diplomats.

 

[PommyMommy]

️Hacking group Anonymous interrupts Russian state TV programs with footage of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and an anti-war message.

It claims to have accessed TV channels “Russia 24”, “Channel 1”, “Moscow 24”, & streaming services Wink and Ivi. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1500631918584467464?s=20&t=jYfKrB_p2SPJV-i7OJ5tEA

 

[PommyMommy]

US officials identify 3 areas where US may take action soon on Ukraine - CNNPolitics

Ban on Russian oil imports
Biden, who is spending the weekend at his home in Delaware, convened a phone call Saturday with top members of his administration to discuss a potential ban on Russian oil imports, Blinken said, a step that has been under consideration at the White House since last last week.

"We are now talking to our European partners and allies to look in a coordinated way at the prospect of banning the import of Russian oil, while making sure that there is a still an appropriate supply of oil on world markets," Blinken said. "That's a very active discussion as we speak."

 

[PommyMommy]

A Russian government plane carrying Russian diplomats expelled by the United States has left New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport en route to Moscow, according to Flight Radar24 data.

RSD88 Special Flight Detachment Rossiya Flight Tracking and History 06-Mar-2022 (KJFK-VKO / UUWW) - FlightAware

Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine

 

[PommyMommy]

Russia-Ukraine war: Mariupol evacuation halted for second day; Vinnytsia regional airport completely destroyed – live | World news | The Guardian
3h ago 09:49

Here are some images from protests against the Russian invasion, from around the globe this weekend.

Santiago:

Demonstrators in Chile Photograph: Alberto Valdés/EPA

Cardiff:

Demonstration in Cardiff, Wales Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

Mexico City:

Demonstrators in Mexico City. Photograph: Gustavo Graf Maldonado/Reuters

Paris:

Demonstration in Paris Photograph: Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock

New York:

Protest in New York Photograph: Milo Hess/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

 

[PommyMommy]

Russia-Ukraine war: Mariupol evacuation halted for second day; Vinnytsia regional airport completely destroyed – live | World news | The Guardian
4h ago 09:24

Zelenskiy: 'We will punish everyone who committed atrocities'
In an address this evening, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war.”

[...]

3h ago 23:05

In his evening video address, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, also criticized western leaders for failing to respond to the Russian Defense Ministry’s announcement that it would strike Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and that employees of the plants should not show up to work, the AP reports. Zelenskiy said:

I didn’t hear even a single world leader react to this. The audacity of the aggressor is a clear signal to the west that the sanctions imposed on Russia are not sufficient ...

Think about the sense of impunity of the occupiers that they can announce such planned atrocities.”

Zelsnkiy urged for a “tribunal” to hold accountable people who have committed atrocities.

[...]

Shaun Walker on Twitter
Written down like this Zelenskiy’s address tonight reads like a powerful poem.

 

[PommyMommy]

'A major breaking point': Echoes of the Cold War reverberate in the West's standoff with Russia
The United States and its allies are girding for a long-term confrontation with Russia, a contest of wills reminiscent of the Cold War, triggered by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, current and former U.S. and European officials say.

With Putin showing no sign he is ready to pull back Russian troops shelling Ukrainian cities, and with the United States and Europe vowing to arm Ukrainian forces and wage unlimited economic warfare on Russia, there is no end in sight to the emerging duel between the West and Russia.

“I think we are going to have to face it as something that we’re going to have to deal with for quite some time and be quite resolute and creative about confronting it,” said Eliot Cohen, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, who served in George W. Bush’s administration.

 

[PommyMommy]

Russia-Ukraine war: Mariupol evacuation halted for second day; Vinnytsia regional airport completely destroyed – live | World news | The Guardian
3h ago 23:15

Britain to provide $100m to Ukraine through the World Bank
Prime minister Boris Johnson’s office said Britain will provide $100 million to Ukraine (75.6 million pounds) through the World Bank, Reuters reports:

The UK is seeking to keep core state functions running and mitigate financial pressures caused by Russia’s invasion, Johnson’s office said.

Britain has sought a central role in the international response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by providing defensive military aid, arguing for tougher sanctions again the Kremlin and offering financial support.

Nevertheless, Johnson’s government has faced criticism that its sanctions have been too slow and its refugee programme underwhelming.

The latest round of cash, which is in addition to $290.95 million (220 million pounds) pledged already, could be used to pay public-sector workers in Ukraine or fund pension and social security payments, British authorities said.

The UK is also pushing new legislation on Monday that aims to speed up the sanctions process.

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/06/russia-ukraine-war-biden-and-zelenskiy-discuss-more-support-for-ukraine-as-visa-mastercard-pull-out-of-russia-live']Russia-Ukraine war: Mariupol evacuation halted for second day; Vinnytsia regional airport completely destroyed – live | World news | The Guardian[/URL]
3h ago 23:46

Ukraine and Russia to face off at World Court over genocide claim
Ukraine will ask the United Nations’ top court on Monday to issue an emergency ruling requiring Russia to stop its invasion, arguing that Moscow’s justification for the attack is based on a faulty interpretation of genocide law, Reuters reports.

Although the court’s rulings are binding and countries generally follow them, it has no direct means of enforcing them.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia’s “special military action” is needed “to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide” - meaning those whose first or only language is Russian - in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine’s suit argues that the claim of genocide is untrue, and in any case does not provide legal justification for invasion.

[...]

The hearings are set to start at 10am (9am GMT) with Ukraine presenting its case. Russia is due to respond on Tuesday.

 

[PommyMommy]

Ukraine-Russia: Journalists and Residents Flee Irpin Amid Shelling And Explosions | 10 News First

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Ukraine Invasion: Sky News team under heavy fire as they were ambushed by Russian forces

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Sean Penn describes meeting Ukraine’s President

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Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters to aid in the Ukraine invasion and help take Kyiv: report

Ukrainian veterinarians endure amid Russia invasion

 

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U.S., Brit special forces training for high-risk Zelenskyy rescue: Report | Toronto Sun
''Commandos from Britain’s famed SAS and U.S. special forces are undergoing intense training for a potential high-risk rescue of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to published reports''.

''BRITISH SECRET SERVICE TRACKING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS’ GRINDR POSTS
The British Secret Service is reportedly monitoring the Russian invasion of Ukraine by tracking its soldiers’ social networking use — including gay hook-up app, Grindr.

According to the Daily Mail, as the Russian military built up its strength on the frontier with Ukraine, British intelligence was certain wannabe czar Vladimir Putin had tipped his hand and was planning an all-out invasion of his neighbour. Among the clues were posts on Russian social media site VK.''

“These sites were a treasure trove for our spies, and the dating apps in particular — soldiers and those involved in the military effort were particularly unguarded,” the British intelligence source said. “It meant we were very au fait with the plans and the imminence of the invasion, right down to details such as the movement of blood supplies to the Russian troops.”
The intelligence gleaned from the sites was shared with Ukraine’s Secret Service.''

 

[PommyMommy]

Oil prices soared to a near 14-year high while equity markets plunged on Monday as investors grew increasingly fearful about the impact of the Ukraine war on the global economy.

Experts warned of a period of stagflation with the spike in crude likely to light a fire under already high inflation.

Brent crude at one point rocketed almost 18% to $139.13 in Asia trade- a level not seen since mid-2008 - after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the White House and allies were in talks about banning imports from Russia, according to figures cited by Agence France-Presse.

Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy vows to ‘punish atrocities’ as family dies trying to evacuate Irpin – live

 

[PommyMommy]

The Ukrainian military is reporting that Russia is planning on storming the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Russian troops have “began to accumulate resources to storm Kyiv,” according to a report recently released by the general staff of the armed forces of Ukraine.

In city of Irpin on the western outskirts of Kyiv, Russian troops are making an advance towards the capital with tank and motorised infantry units as well as attempting to reach the eastern outskirts of Kyiv through the districts of Brovarsky and Boryspil, the military says.

Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy vows to ‘punish atrocities’ as family dies trying to evacuate Irpin – live