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

[margarita25]

Update 12 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine | IAEA
05 Mar 2022

 

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American Veterans Volunteer to Fight in Ukraine
When Matthew Parker, an American veteran with 22 years of service in the U.S. Army, heard that Russian forces had invaded Ukraine, he thought about a Ukrainian American soldier who had served alongside him with U.S. forces in Iraq and decided he wanted to help the Ukrainians defend their homeland.

“I had a soldier in Iraq with me who was from Ukraine,” he told VOA of his decision to join what he sees as a fight about justice and friendship. “He became an American citizen, joined the Army, and he told me about his home. He told me about his family and how proud they were. I remember him telling me about his little sister.

“Now … I'd like to think that by going to Ukraine, maybe I protect his mother, or his little sister or his home. Maybe in some small way, I say thank you to him for serving by doing something like this.”

Parker, who fought battles in Bosnia and Iraq, is not alone.

A representative of the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington told VOA that 3,000 U.S. volunteers have responded to the nation’s appeal for people to serve in an international battalion that will help resist Russia’s invading forces. Many more have stepped forward from other countries, most from other post-Soviet states such as Georgia and Belarus.

 

[PommyMommy]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty suspends operations in Russia.
After Russian tax authorities initiated bankruptcy proceedings against RFE/RL’s Russian entity on March 4 and police intensified pressure on its journalists, the news outlet halted operations.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 1, 2022

Pregnant Ukrainian Journalist Slams 'Insane Lunatic' Putin As She Flees To Protect Family

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/05/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-nato-gives-green-light-to-bombing-with-lack-of-no-fly-zone-says-zelenskiy']Russia-Ukraine war latest: UK sets out international ‘plan of action’ for crisis; Ukraine calls for more Nato help in meeting with US – live | World news | The Guardian[/URL]
1h ago 03:01

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees continue to flee their homeland seeking safety in neighbouring countries.

More than 1.3 million Ukrainians have crossed borders since the Russian invasion started on the 24 February in what the United Nations is now calling Europe’s fastest-moving refugee crisis since the end of the second world war.

Figures released today by the United Nation’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR) show that to date 1.37 million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring European countries after the military offensive ordered by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

“This is the fastest-moving refugee crisis we have seen in Europe since the end of the second world war,” UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said.

[...]

1h ago 03:14

The relief effort to distribute humanitarian aid to Ukraine has stepped up in recent days.

Volunteers across the country have worked tirelessly to gather basic necessities to give to refugees and prepare food supplies for the army to be sent to the frontline.

11m ago 04:20

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently spoke to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, inviting him to visit after the war.

Zelenskiy shared a video of the call on social media shortly after Ukraine announced it would receive more Starlink satellite internet terminals for destroyed cities from the company next week.

“So if you have time - after the war - you’re very welcome. I invite you,” Zelenskiy says. “Sounds good. I look forward to visiting,” Musk replies.

 

[PommyMommy]

Live updates: Ukrainian paramedic remembered for bravery | AP News

KYIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian paramedic who was shot while on her way to evacuate injured people from the outskirts of Kyiv was buried in the country’s capital on Saturday.

Valentyna Pushych was known locally as “Romashka,” which means “Daisy.” A friend described her as a “daredevil,” who was never afraid to “get under bullets.’

She was always “running to the most dangerous places” to rescue to the injured, Nataliia Voronkova said.

Pushych used to be a well-paid worker at a transport and logistic company. But in 2016, she joined the army as a paramedic in response to the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

[...]

KYIV, Ukraine — Crowds of men have been lining up in Kyiv to join the Ukrainian army.

An order from Ukraine’s government prohibited men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country to keep them available for military conscription.

But some like Volodymyr Onysko volunteered to fight.

“We know why we are here. We know why we defend our country. And our guys that are actually standing there and fighting Russian military forces,” he told Britain’s Sky News. “We know what we are doing and that’s why we will win.”

[...]

 

[margarita25]

0:58 - “One thing I worry about is Putin’s use of chemical weapons against civilian populous...”

 

[PommyMommy]

2m ago 00:39

Senior US officials traveled to Venezuela on Saturday to meet with President Nicolas Maduro’s government, seeking to determine whether Caracas is prepared to back away from its close ties to Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter, Reuters reports.

The trip is the highest-level US visit to Venezuela in years after the two countries broke diplomatic relations amid a campaign of US sanctions and diplomatic pressure aimed at ousting Maduro, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia-Ukraine war: Biden and Zelenskiy discuss more support for Ukraine as Visa, Mastercard pull out of Russia - live

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/05/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-nato-gives-green-light-to-bombing-with-lack-of-no-fly-zone-says-zelenskiy']Russia-Ukraine war latest: UK sets out international ‘plan of action’ for crisis; Ukraine calls for more Nato help in meeting with US – live | World news | The Guardian[/URL]
1h ago 04:45

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster delivered critical military equipment and medical supplies to Ukraine, recently released images from the Australian defence force reveal.

The delivery follows Australian prime minister Scott Morrison’s announcement that the country will provide defensive military assistance.

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster delivered critical military equipment and medical supplies to Ukraine. Photograph: AUSTRALIA DEFENCE FORCE/AFP/Getty Images

The aircraft made the delivery to an undisclosed location. Photograph: AUSTRALIA DEFENCE FORCE/AFP/Getty Images

 

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The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
️Ukraine’s Gas Transmission System Operator has had to shut down 16 gas distribution stations in six of Ukraine's oblasts - Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Donetsk and Luhansk, as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the operator announced on Telegram on Mar. 5.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
As a result of attacks, the operator is unable to restore gas supply in some areas.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
CNN: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the “evolution” of the situation in Ukraine is “something China does not want to see” in a phone call with US Secretary of State Blinken on March 5, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published by CNN.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
China's foreign minister also called on the U.S., NATO, and the EU to “pay attention to the negative impact of NATO’s continuous eastward expansion on Russia’s security."

 

[PommyMommy]

'Hedgehogs' v tanks, as Kyiv braces for Russian onslaught | Reuters
KYIV, March 3 (Reuters) - As Russian troops closed in on Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Thursday, a muddy construction site in a local neighbourhood was teeming with workers and welders of the KAN real estate developer.

Instead of homes and offices, they were making giant, metal anti-tank barricades known as "hedgehogs", and smaller spiked barriers aimed at stopping wheeled vehicles.

[...]

Zakhar, a foreman, picked up the phone and started calling the company's construction workers who had remained in Kyiv. Almost everyone volunteered to stay and contribute, he said.

"We build things. We do not know how to fight, but we knew we could be useful," Zakhar said. A few metres away sparks flew as builders cut through and welded together large metal beams.

[...]

Heavy equipment was brought in to build concrete checkpoints, blocking positions and bunkers inside the city and along all major roads and in the suburbs.

[...]

Andriy Kryschenko, Kyiv's deputy mayor who was wearing military fatigues, said many similar firms and workshops had adapted to produce hedgehogs, concrete barriers and other defences.

He added that tens of thousands of people in Kyiv had received weapons and many more were waiting at enlistment and recruitment offices. The city hall was also supporting Territorial Defence units and troops at the frontline, Kryschenko said.

At the construction site, Serhiy Serdyuk, a grizzled welder in his 50s, said workers were ready to take up weapons and join the fight.

"If we have to, when the materials run out, we will make spears and we will throw those spears at them."

 

[PommyMommy]

Sanctioned Russian billionaire shifted $1.1B stake in firm to wife

Fearing martial law or conscription, some Russians try to flee abroad

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter

These are the indicative estimates of Russia's losses as of March 6, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.


Secretary Antony Blinken on Twitter
United States government official
It was a pleasure to meet with Latvian Foreign Minister @EdgarsRinkevics
in Riga today. The United States and Latvia are strong strategic allies and partners, with a relationship built on mutual commitments to democracy, freedom, rule of law, security, and prosperity.

 

[PommyMommy]

China Asked Russia to Delay Ukraine War Until After Olympics, U.S. Officials Say

So just to understand, on February 4th and February 10th, Russian minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov publicly denied any plans for Russia to invade Ukraine. That was the time when ordinary Russians did not know about it, and their kids were drafted into the army. (They had no time to make any provisions in case of the war, as they usually do when it is foreseen. Nor did Ukraine). But at the same time, Xi was fully of Putin’s plans, and merely asked to wait till the Olympics were over.

 

[PommyMommy]

Minister in new 'wartime' plan to retain food supplies

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue is drawing up what is being described as a "wartime" plan to prevent disruption to food supplies as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine are significant suppliers of both grains and fertilisers for the global agriculture sector.

The Agriculture Minister has now assembled an emergency team within his department to come up with financial supports to encourage farmers to grow native grains.

Ireland is heavily reliant on imported grains for both human and animal food.

The plan will have to be finalised quickly as spring crops must be planted in the next six weeks.

A similar scheme was introduced during World War II when all farmers here were asked to plant crops.

Measures to ensure farmers grow, and save, enough grass to feed livestock this year and over next winter are also being examined.

(...)

Food crisis looms as Ukrainian wheat shipments grind to halt

Subscribe to read | Financial Times

Prices soar as Black Sea ports at virtual standstill amid Russian assault

At this time of year, Kees Huizunga is normally busy planting wheat, barley and corn on his farm in central Ukraine. But, having lost workers to the frontline, the Dutch national left his grain silos to sound the alarm about the impact of the Russian invasion on global wheat supply.

Russia and Ukraine supply almost a third of the world’s wheat exports and since the Russian assault on its neighbour, ports on the Black Sea have come to a virtual standstill. As a result, wheat prices have soared to record highs, overtaking levels seen during the food crisis of 2007-08.

“If farmers in Ukraine don’t start planting any time soon there will be huge crisis to food security. If Ukraine’s food production falls in the coming season the wheat price could double or triple,” said the Dutch national, who has been farming for two decades in Cherkasy, 200km south of Kyiv. He is part of a farming union, whose 1,100 members cover just under 10 per cent of the country’s farmland.

(...)

The surge in prices will fuel soaring food inflation — already at a seven-year high of 7.8 per cent in January — and the biggest impact will be on the food security of poorer grain importers, warned analysts and food aid organisations.

Ukraine accounts for 90 per cent of Lebanon’s wheat imports and is a leading supplier for countries including Somalia, Syria and Libya. Lebanon is “really struggling with an already high import bill and this is only going to make things worse,” said James Swanston, emerging market economist at Capital Economics.

(...)

The WFP, which procures grains and food to distribute to poorer countries, bought just under 1.4m tonnes of wheat last year of which 70 per cent came from Ukraine and Russia.

Prior to the invasion it was already facing a 30 per cent increase in the cost of wheat, because of poor harvests in Canada, the US and Argentina. The latest surge in grain prices would further curtail its ability to provide aid, it said.

“This is an unnecessary shock of mega proportions,” said Arif Husain, chief economist at the UN World Food Programme.

High prices could trigger unrest, analysts said.

(...)

Russia accounts for two-thirds of Egypt’s wheat exports. Egyptian authorities say their wheat inventories will last until mid June and the Egyptian local harvest should start coming in by mid April. Any rise in subsidised bread prices and further increase in food inflation in Egypt “increases the threat of social unrest,” said Swanston.

(...)

Wheat inventories are tight everywhere and as Chinese and South Korean buyers of Ukrainian corn, used to feed livestock, sought sellers elsewhere, EU agricultural ministers on Wednesday discussed allowing farmers to boost production using the 10 per cent of land they usually leave fallow in response to the war in Ukraine.

(...)

 

[PommyMommy]

Russian war in world's 'breadbasket' threatens food supply

Russian ambassador doubles down on bullying claims
The Russian ambassador to Ireland says he was “simply repeating” Irish Government officials when he accused the country of being to the “forefront” of “anti-Russian events” in the European Union.

Yury Filatov was caught badmouthing Irish people in an interview with Russian-state television that was later translated into English by a Russian citizen in Ireland.

In an interview with Russia-24, Mr Filatov said embassy staff were being threatened and Russian children had been bullied at school. He criticised the “hostile” political situation and accused Irish people of “not understanding” the situation and of taking sides “without any analysis”.

During the six-minute interview Mr Filatov complained of “extreme tension” at the embassy in Rathgar, “rough” and “violent” protesters and “constant threats against employees”.

But as news of his interview fuelled an angry reaction across social media, he doubled down on claims that Russian children had been bullied and made no attempt to withdraw his remarks.

In a statement responding to questions from the Sunday Independent , Mr Filatov flattered Irish people’s “compassion” but continued to suggest they “didn’t understand” the situation in Ukraine.

(...)

On his comments about Ireland’s role internationally, he said: “I simply repeated statements by the Irish high-ranking officials, who have repeatedly said ‘that Ireland continues to be at the forefront of efforts’ to assist Ukraine and ‘hold Russia accountable’.”

(...)

On EU sanctions, Mr Filatov said the aircraft leasing sector had led to “big problems for both sides”. “Some companies in the financial sector are simply closing down their operations in Ireland and leaving,” which he said was “unfortunate”.

(...)

The Department of Foreign Affairs again replied to the accusations made against Mr Filatov with an attack on Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a “gross violation of international law”.

Ireland’s dispute was with the government of Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine and not the people of Russia, a statement said.

(...)

 

[PommyMommy]

Ukraine: The information war | The Listening Post

 

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Ukraine crisis: The West fights back against Putin the disruptor

Successive US presidents have struggled to get the measure of Vladimir Putin but now that Brussels and Berlin have joined the fray with such resolve, it's a different story, writes Nick Bryant.

It is often tempting to look upon Vladimir Putin as the millennium bug in a human and deadly form.

The Russian president rose to power on 31 December 1999, as the world held its breath that computers would go into meltdown when the clock struck midnight, unable to process the change from 1999 to 2000.

In the 20 years since, Putin has been trying to engineer a different kind of global system malfunction, the destruction of the liberal international order. The former KGB spymaster wanted to turn back the clock: to revive Russia's tsarist greatness and to restore the might and menace of the Soviet Union prior to its break-up in 1991.

This Russian revanchist has become the most disruptive international leader of the 21st Century, the mastermind behind so much misery from Chechnya to Crimea, from Syria to the cathedral city of Salisbury. He has sought - successfully at times - to redraw the map of Europe.

(...)

Putin is obviously a more formidable adversary, harder to deal with than even Leonid Brezhnev or Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet premier during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But since the turn of the century no US president has truly had his measure.

(...)

Joe Biden, like George Herbert Walker Bush, is a Cold War warrior, who has dedicated his presidency to defending democracy at home and abroad. Seeking to re-establish America's traditional post-war role as the leader of the free world, he has sought to mobilise the international community, offered military aid to Ukraine and adopted the toughest sanction regime ever targeted against Putin.

(...)

What's been striking since the Russian invasion started, however, has been the assertion of forceful presidential leadership from elsewhere. Volodymyr Zelensky has been lauded and lionised, as he has continued this extraordinary personal journey from comedian to Churchillian colossus.

(...)

The biggest assault on a European state since World War Two has stiffened European resolve. But so, too, it seems has the relative weakness of America. Mindful of the botched US withdrawal from Afghanistan and possibility of a Trump 2.0 presidency, European leaders seem to have realised that they can no longer lean so heavily on Washington to defend democracy in this hour of maximum peril. Leadership of the free world has, in this crisis, become a common endeavour.

(...)

 

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A bipartisan congressional delegation traveled to Poland this weekend where members met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and were given a firsthand look at the crisis unfolding in Europe as Ukrainians flee from their country amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's deadly invasion.

The delegation, made up of Democrats and Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), made the journey to stand in support of the Ukrainian people and condemn the war launched by Russia.

The delegation is planning to stay in the region through Monday.

Blinken meets with congressional delegation in Europe amid Russian war with Ukraine

 

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https://twitter.com/mrsorokaa

Ukraine will try to evacuate civilians from Mariupol today at noon. Russia again promised a humanitarian corridor.

Yesterday, the evaluation failed as Russia didn’t stop shelling the city and its suburbs.

James Longman on Twitter - Video
The security presence in Moscow is extraordinary. But there are groups of people here, quietly making their presence known. Not shouting or screaming in protest. Just walking. Eerie.

James Longman on Twitter
Feels like police have got wise to this silent protest and they’ve closed in

 

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office says he has called for an urgent cease-fire in Ukraine in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a statement following Sunday's one-hour call, the Turkish presidency said Erdogan had urged a halt to fighting to “address humanitarian concerns” and “seek a political solution” to the conflict. The war is now in its 11th day. Erdogan called for the opening of humanitarian corridors and a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkey has extensive ties with both Russia and Ukraine and has sought to place itself as a mediator. It has invited both to a diplomatic forum in Antalya next week. Erdogan's office said he told Putin that he was “ready to make every contribution" to resolving the crisis.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article259116948.html#storylink=cpy