Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 **Media Thread** NO DISCUSSION #3

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/30/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-russian-troop-withdrawal-designed-to-mislead-says-ukrainian-military-live']Russia-Ukraine war latest: GCHQ head says some Russian soldiers ‘refusing to carry out orders’; Putin ‘misled over Russian military performance’ – live | World news | The Guardian[/URL]

3h ago 19:06
Wrapping up his address, Zelenskiy had some stern words for “those who waste time and work only to stay in office” confirming he recalled the Ambassador of Ukraine in both Morocco and Georgia.

“There are those who work together with everyone to defend the state. So that Ukraine can gain its future. We appreciate the work of each such person,” Zelenskiy said.

“And there are those who waste time and work only to stay in office. Today I signed the first decree to recall such a person. Such an Ambassador of Ukraine. From Morocco. The Ambassador from Georgia was also recalled.”

"With all due respect: if there are no weapons, no sanctions, no restrictions for Russian business - please look for another job.”

"The diplomatic frontline is one of the key frontlines. And everyone there must work as efficiently as possible to win and help the army. Each on the diplomatic frontline must work just as each of our defenders on the battlefield.”

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/30/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-russian-troop-withdrawal-designed-to-mislead-says-ukrainian-military-live']Russia-Ukraine war latest: GCHQ head says some Russian soldiers ‘refusing to carry out orders’; Putin ‘misled over Russian military performance’ – live | World news | The Guardian[/URL]

4m ago 22:09
It could take at least a year for Ukraine to hold a referendum on its neutrality - a key Russian demand to end the war - according to the head of Ukraine’s delegation at peace talks with Russia.

David Arakhamia told the Financial Times that the parties were close to agreement on the security guarantees and Ukraine’s EU bid, but urged caution about the prospects for a breakthrough.

“All the issues” have been “on the table since the beginning” of negotiations but “lots of points — like in every single item there are unresolved points”, Arakhamia said.

Any prospective deal would have to be agreed with the guarantors and ratified by their parliaments, Zelenskiy reiterated on Sunday.

Ukraine would then put the deal to a national referendum where any decision would ultimately be made by the people of Ukraine. This would not occur until perhaps several months’ time before a possible change to constitution — a process that could require at least a year.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

Ukrainians try to rescue exotic animals from abandoned zoo

What the Ukraine war means for Switzerland’s energy policy

21 March 2022:
Weekly data: Cutting nuclear links with Russia may be harder than cutting fossil fuel imports

 

[PommyMommy]

March 30 2022
Ukraine war: Russian troops have accidentally shot down own aircraft and refused to carry out orders, UK spy chief to reveal | World News | Sky News
''Demoralised Russian soldiers in Ukraine have accidentally shot down their own aircraft, sabotaged their own kit, and refused to carry out orders, a British spy chief will reveal.

Sir Jeremy Fleming, the head of GCHQ, is set to use a rare public speech to say it increasingly looks like Russia's President Vladimir Putin "has massively misjudged the situation" in Ukraine.

• Wagner, the private military company with suspected links to the Kremlin, is understood to be prepared to "send large numbers of personnel into Ukraine to fight alongside Russians"
• Wagner mercenaries would likely to be used as "cannon fodder" to try to limit Russian military losses
• Risks are greater for China than Russia of the two authoritarian states being too closely aligned with each other
• There are indications that Russian cyber attackers are "looking for targets" in the countries that oppose Moscow's actions''

Cyber operations against Ukraine
''Turning to the cyber dimension of Russia's invasion, Sir Jeremy will say his agency never thought a catastrophic cyber attack was central to Moscow's use of cyber in a war.
Instead, he said there have been lots of cyber operations against Ukraine.
"And we've certainly seen indicators which suggests Russia's cyber actors are looking for targets in the countries that oppose their actions," he adds.''

 

[PommyMommy]

Germany and Austria take step towards gas rationing
Germany gets about half its gas and a third of its oil from Russia and has warned that it could face a recession if supplies suddenly stopped.

Neighbouring Austria relies on Russia much more for gas, with the country getting about 80% from the country…. Under an existing gas emergency plan, the "early warning phase", which both Germany and Austria have begun, is the first of three steps designed to prepare the country for a potential supply shortage. In its final stage, the governments would bring in gas rationing.

What are other European countries doing?

• France gets around 20% of its gas from Russia and the head of the country's CRE regulatory body said it did not expect any supply issues
• Bulgaria gets 90% of its gas via imports from Russian company Gazprom. Its natural gas grid operator has opened a tender for underground drilling as part of plans to almost double the country's gas storage capacity and prepare for any supply disruptions
• Poland gets around 50% of its gas per year from Russia but says it has no current plans to limit gas use
• Greece receives about 40% of its gas via a pipeline that bypasses Ukraine. Its government will meet to assess supply security if Russia switches the tap off
• Italy gets around 40% of its gas supply from Russia and is monitoring the situation. It will wait to see if Gazprom sends contract amendments to operators before it takes any further decisions
• The Netherlands gets between 15%-20% of its gas from Russia. The Dutch government said it will ask people to use less gas but it is not yet activating its gas crisis plan
• Britain gets around 3% of gas from Russia and says it has a range of sources to ensure supply

 

[PommyMommy]

"The visiting legislators, all women, with family back home, were warning the U.S. that they do not trust negotiations underway with Russian President Vladimir Putin over ending the monthlong war."

Congress hears sirens wail as Ukraine legislators visit

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 28, 2022
Who Killed Nemtsov? New evidence on Russia’s most shocking assassination - BBC News

In February 2015 Russian politician Boris Nemtsov—a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin—was shot dead on a bridge in the shadow of the Kremlin.

Five men were convicted for his murder, but urgent questions remained: Who ordered the killing…and why?

Now, a new film from Bellingcat, The Insider, and BBC Eye Investigations reveals evidence that, in the year running up to the shooting, Boris Nemtsov was being shadowed by a government agent linked to a secret assassination squad.

 

[PommyMommy]

Vladimir Putin believes conditions for ceasefire in Ukraine 'not mature' yet, Italian PM says
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes the conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine are "not mature" yet, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told a news conference today.

Speaking about a telephone call he had with the Kremlin leader the previous day, Mr Draghi said Mr Putin also told him that current gas contracts remained in force and that European firms would continue to pay in euros and dollars.

"What I understood, but I may be wrong, is that the conversion of the payment is an internal matter of the Russian Federation," Mr Draghi said.

During the phone call, Mr Putin also told the Italian prime minister it was "premature" for a meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukraine live news: 'Butcher of Mariupol' among those hit by new UK sanctions; Russian troops 'being pushed back, not withdrawing'; Putin 'massively misjudged' military

 

[PommyMommy]

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 5 hrs ago
Vereshchuk: Ukraine allowed to evacuate people from Mariupol. According to Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, Russia had agreed to open a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine sent 45 buses to evacuate people from the besieged city.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
US won't provide security guarantees to Ukraine. White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said at a briefing that President Joe Biden doesn’t intend to participate in a direct military confrontation with Russia.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 4 hrs ago
UK Intelligence: Russia shells Chernihiv, continues fighting near Kyiv. According to a report released by the U.K. Ministry of Defense, heavy fighting will likely continue near Kyiv in the coming days, despite a Russian official statement to withdraw from the region.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Heavy shelling continues in Donetsk Oblast. Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said that Russian forces overnight continued shelling the region using white phosphorus munitions.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 1 hr ago
Ground Forces: Five villages in Zaporizhzhia Oblast liberated. The Ukrainian Ground Forces wrote that Ukrainian troops are back in control of villages – Zatyshshia, Malynivka, Vesele, Zelenyi Hai, and Chervone – east of Zaporizhzhia.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
UK sanctions Russian media, propagandists. The U.K. government announced “sanctions on Putin’s propaganda.” Those sanctioned are — the Kremlin-funded TV-Novosti which owns RT, and Rossiya Segodnya which controls Sputnik.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 5 min ago
Stoltenberg: Russia repositioning to eastern Donbas region, not withdrawing. NATO secretary told reporters in Brussels that "Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive in the Donbas region" and "Russia has repeatedly lied about its intentions."

 

[PommyMommy]

NEXTA on Twitter - 6 hrs ago
The head of the #Luhansk regional state administration, Serhiy Haidai, reported that shelling of the territory continued on the night of March 31. One of the targets was an oil storage facility in #Lysychansk, where a large fire broke out. Rescuers are now working at the scene.

NEXTA on Twitter
This was the kit found on one of the killed #Russian servicemen.

NEXTA on Twitter - 5 hrs ago
#Japan has once again called the Southern #Kurils "illegally occupied". J#apanese authorities have decided to return harsh language stating that the Southern Kurils "are an integral part of Japan and are currently illegally occupied by #Russia."

NEXTA on Twitter
A "rail war" has broken out in #Belarus. In order to slow down the movement of #Russian military equipment to #Ukraine, #Belarusians are taking equipment out of service.

NEXTA on Twitter
#Russian troops again used phosphorus shells in #Donetsk region. This was reported by the head of the regional administration Pavel Kirilenko.

NEXTA on Twitter - 3 hrs ago
The #UN has announced the composition of the commission that will investigate war crimes in #Ukraine. The commissioners are to present an oral report on their work at the 51st session of the #UNHRC in September 2022. A full written report is due in March 2023.

NEXTA on Twitter - 2 hrs ago
The #Italian prime minister said that both #Russia and #Ukraine have asked #Rome to become the guarantor of peace in Ukraine, RIA Novosti reported

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Russia's Admiral Makarov frigate has replenished its Caliber cruise missiles, which are hard to shoot down, in Sevastopol. This increases risk of naval missile strikes on Odesa Obl & neighboring regions. -Serhiy Bratchuk, Odesa RegAdministr spox

NEXTA on Twitter - 1 hr ago
#Spanish government has sent a total of ten planes with offensive weapons to #Ukraine This was announced by Defense Minister Margarita Robles.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
"It is often said that unpunished evil returns. I would add: unpunished evil returns winged, with a sense of omnipotence. If world punished Russia for 2014, there would be no horrors of invasion of Ukraine in 2022" - Zelenskyy in Australian parliament Speech by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Australian Parliament — Official website of the President of Ukraine

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
@Polk_Azov reports it eliminated 3 Russian tanks &64 infantry troops, incl GRU Swat team, in battle for Mariupol on 30 Mar, shows trophies One Russian occupier was carrying looted dollars&gold; Azov says all looted goods will be returned to owners or used to help Mariupol refugees

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 10 min ago
A loud explosion heard in central Kyiv. Explosions can mean either that an incoming Russian missile was taken down by air defense forces, or that it hit the target.

 

[PommyMommy]

March 31, 2022, 9:23 AM EDT
Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Kremlin rejects U.S. claims Putin being misled by advisers (nbcnews.com)
''The Kremlin rejected U.S. claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misled by his advisers about Russia's failures on the battlefield.

In a daily news briefing on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "neither the State Department nor the Pentagon have real information about what is happening in the Kremlin."

"They just don’t understand what’s going on in the Kremlin," he said, warning that "such a complete misunderstanding leads to erroneous and rash decisions that cause very bad consequences."

It comes after declassified U.S. intelligence claimed that Putin's senior advisers have been "too afraid to tell him the truth" about the situation on the ground.''

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/31/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-ukraine-braces-for-attacks-in-east-us-says-putin-misled-by-advisers-live']Russia-Ukraine war latest: Nato warns Russian forces regrouping for new attacks; fresh hope for Mariupol evacuation – live | World news | The Guardian[/URL]

4h ago 05:29
Red Cross says it is on way to besieged Mariupol with aid supplies
Teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are on their way to the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol with aid supplies and stand ready to evacuate civilians, it said.

Ewan Watson, ICRC spokesperson, said Ukraine and Russia must agree on the exact terms of the operation, which is planned for Friday, adding that “tens of thousands” of lives depend on its success.

[...]

2h ago 07:05
More than 5m items of medical supplies have been given to Ukraine, helping to save tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives, the UK government is claiming.

Since the Russian invasion was launched, 13 flights carrying ventilators and other medical supplies have left the UK. Lifesaving medicines, intensive care equipment and wound packs have been donated by NHS England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK’s health and social care secretary, Sajid Javid, has said:

"The appalling atrocities inflicted on the Ukrainians by Putin’s evil attacks are causing untold misery to millions of people.

The invasion has created a medical emergency and the UK has acted swiftly to give our Ukrainian friends the medical support they need which has helped save tens of thousands of lives."

[...]

2h ago 07:53
Russian forces regrouping for further attacks, Nato warns
Russian forces in Ukraine are not withdrawing but regrouping, Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has said; commenting on Moscow’s announcements about a scaling down of military operations around Kyiv.

According to Reuters, Stoltenberg also said the alliance had yet to be convinced Russia was negotiating in good faith in peace talks in Istanbul because Moscow’s military objective since launching its invasion of Ukraine had not changed.

"According to our intelligence, Russian units are not withdrawing but repositioning. Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive in the Donbas region."

[...]

28m ago 09:09
The head of the British armed forces said the standing of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has been “diminished” after his invasion of Ukraine.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff, told an event hosted by the Institute for Government (IfG) thinktank: “The scenes coming out of Mariupol and elsewhere are horrific, and the coming weeks will continue to be very difficult.

“But in many ways, Putin has already lost. Far from being the far-sighted manipulator of events that he would have us believe, Putin has damaged himself through a series of catastrophic misjudgments.”

[...]

“What is very clear is that Putin is a weaker and more diminished figure today than he was a month ago, and conversely Nato is stronger and more united today than at any time I can remember.”

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

https://www.president.gov.ua/en/new...rayini-volodimira-zelenskogo-u-generaln-74001

Complete speech in English.

Mrs. Speaker!

Dear members of parliament!

Mr. Prime Minister! Mark!

Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense!

Dutch people!

I have the great honor of becoming the first foreign head of state to address the House of Representatives of the Netherlands and your people. In this format, at such a time.

I am sincerely grateful for this opportunity. For the fact that in these critical circumstances in which my country and our entire continent found themselves, I can explain to you directly what is happening and why it is so important to be together now for all of us, for all Europeans. For all who value peace on our planet. Peace for which millions of people have fought, generations of Europeans. And which was destroyed by one decision, in one moment.

etc.

Poetin houdt vast aan roebeleis, Frankrijk en Duitsland dreigen gasafname te stoppen

Putin sticks to ruble policy, France and Germany threaten to stop gas consumption

6 HOURS AGO
Zelensky to Rutte: 'Our membership depends on you, friend Mark'
The Netherlands must stop all trade with Russia and be prepared to boycott Russian gas. Ukrainian President Zelensky said this to the House of Representatives.

He pointed out that by buying Russian gas, the Netherlands is contributing billions to the war waged by Putin. "Stronger sanctions are needed so that Russia has no chance of continuing the war in Europe."

Zelensky also called on the Dutch government to supply more weapons to Ukraine, on top of the resources that have already been sent. "You are leaders in supporting us, but we need more weapons to chase the occupier."

He also directly addressed Prime Minister Rutte and asked for support for Ukraine's desire to join the European Union. "Our membership depends on you, friend Mark." The Netherlands opposes an accelerated accession of the country. Earlier this month, Rutte said that Ukraine's EU membership is "out of the question", but that country "belongs to the European family".

 

[PommyMommy]

Poetin houdt vast aan roebeleis, Frankrijk en Duitsland dreigen gasafname te stoppen
< Putin sticks to ruble policy, France and Germany threaten to stop gas consumption>

Ollongren: So far more than 50 million in military goods to Ukraine
The Netherlands has so far delivered more than 50 million euros worth of military goods to Ukraine. Defense Minister Ollongren said in the House of Representatives that the cabinet wants to continue with deliveries, as President Zelensky also said in his speech early this morning .

Ollongren added that she would not give details about the types of weapons systems and military goods going to Ukraine: "There are operational risks if you do communicate about it publicly." The House will be kept confidential about this.

 

[PommyMommy]

Poetin houdt vast aan roebeleis, Frankrijk en Duitsland dreigen gasafname te stoppen

• 2 HOURS AGO
  NATO boss: 'Russia will not withdraw, but regroup'
  Russian troops in Ukraine are not withdrawing, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels. "According to our intelligence, the Russians are not retreating, but are repositioning. Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive in the Donbas," Stoltenberg said.
  
  Russia has previously announced that it would scale back military operations around Kiev and Chernihiv, but according to Stoltenberg, not much will come of it. "Russia is keeping pressure on Kiev and other cities. So we can expect more offensive actions, which will bring more suffering."
  
  Stoltenberg said Russia has "repeatedly lied about its intentions", leaving it to be judged by its actions alone, not the word of its leaders.

 

[PommyMommy]

Poetin houdt vast aan roebeleis, Frankrijk en Duitsland dreigen gasafname te stoppen

3 HOURS AGO
French military intelligence chief resigns over Ukraine war
French military intelligence chief Eric Vidaud resigns because the agency failed to foresee Russia's invasion of Ukraine. French media report that Vidaud announced his departure to employees by email.

Unlike British and American intelligence, the French did not predict that the Russians would invade Ukraine. Sources tell French media that the military found Vidaud's briefings insufficient, and that he "is not in control of the topics".

Not seeing the Russian invasion was the second military development in a short time that surprised France. Last year, the US, UK and Australia signed a military defense pact . As a result, the delivery of French submarines to Australia was canceled. The French government reacted with dismay and fury.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 31, 2022
Russia is 'not withdrawing but regrouping' in Ukraine, NATO warns

 

[PommyMommy]

Deception, Illusion, and Espionage: An Unlikely Recipe for Success | Jonna Mendez | TEDxFoggyBottom

As the Former Chief of Disguise for the CIA, Jonna Mendez reveals the undertaking of creating identity transformations for US covert agents. With astonishing stories and pictures, she shares her experiences working in the CIA opposition effort against the KGB where she trained valuable assets in some of the least hospitable countries in the world.

 

[PommyMommy]

[URL='https://hindustannewshub.com/russia-ukraine-news/russian-troops-have-been-irradiated-in-chernobyl-and-are-transporting-radiation-to-their-military-bases/?amp=1']Trending news: Russian troops have been irradiated in Chernobyl and are transporting radiation to their military bases - Hindustan News Hub[/URL]

Philip Morris donates 500,000 packs of cigarettes to Ukrainian army

How you spell Volodymyr Zelenskyy's name is more political than you think

Russian forces leaving Chernobyl after radiation exposure

Most Russian forces have left Chernobyl - Ukraine's state nuclear company

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - Ukrainian Parliament on Twitter
There are no unauthorized persons at the site of the Chоrnobyl Nuclear Power Plant at the moment — State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management.
10:41 PM · Mar 31, 2022·"

 

[PommyMommy]

The Daily Beast
Putin’s Soldiers Caught on Tape Lamenting Losses and Blasting His Army of ‘Stupid Morons’

Even as Putin signed the decree on Thursday, Ukraine’s Security Service released an intercepted call said to capture a Russian soldier railing against the incompetence of his own army.

“Our brigade has totally themselves. There are losses, many wounded,” he tells his wife.

Asked if the losses are a result of someone screwing up, he offers a blunt response: “The whole army with us is stupid morons.”

“It’s unclear why we are even here,” he says.