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

[PommyMommy]

Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn't …
Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn't remove some details about the war

The Russian government is threatening to fine Wikipedia if it doesn't remove content that contradicts its narrative about the war in Ukraine.

Communications regulator Roskomnadzor announced on Thursday that it had asked the online encyclopedia to remove a page containing "unreliable socially significant materials, as well as other prohibited information" about its operations in Ukraine, according to an English translation. It accused the site of intentionally misinforming Russian users.

EUROPE
Are Russians able to get any real news about what's going in Ukraine?

It said it could fine Wikipedia up to 4 million rubles, or nearly $47,000, for failing to remove those materials, which are illegal under Russian law.

Russia enacted legislation last month that criminalizes war reporting that doesn't echo the Kremlin's version of events — including by calling it a war.

 

[PommyMommy]

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1509915712009158662?t=SGBsa7U9Fm7mdQysrF43wA&s=19

The second exchange of prisoners has just taken place.

86 Ukrainian captured servicemen are returning home. 15 of them are women,–Reintegration Minister, 18:15 EET Log into Facebook

 

[PommyMommy]

A Russian schoolteacher has been arrested after being reported to police by her pupils for making anti-war comments, according to local media.

The teenagers in the southern city of Penza are said to have recorded a conversation with Irina Gen, their English teacher, on 18 March.

They were apparently upset that a planned sports trip to the Czech Republic was not going ahead and asked Ms Gen for her opinion.

According to an alleged transcript of the conversation published by the Meduza website, she said it was right that the trip had been cancelled and that such things would continue until Russia "started behaving in a civilised way".

The 55-year-old compared the country to North Korea and "expressed a view of the war in Ukraine different from the official one", Meduza said.

It is thought Ms Gen could face a fine of up to $60,000 or a jail term of up to 10 years.

Ukraine war latest: Red Cross forced to postpone evacuation of Mariupol - BBC News

 

[PommyMommy]

An aid convoy from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) failed to reach Mariupol in southern Ukraine on Friday.

Circumstances made it impossible for the three-vehicle convoy to get to the heavily contested Ukrainian port city, which was surrounded by Russian soldiers, the ICRC said. We hope to try again on Saturday. The vehicles returned to Zaporizhia, about 220 kilometers away. In order for the convoy to get through, it is very important that all warring parties stick to agreements and give the necessary security guarantees, the ICRC said.

Ukraine: Hilfskonvoi kann Mariupol nicht erreichen

 

[PommyMommy]

Massachusetts Man Recounts How His Daughter and Her New Baby Fled Ukraine on Foot

Descent into Hell: Ukrainians reclaim shelled homes near Kyiv

Belgorod: Russia accuses Ukraine of helicopter strikes on fuel depot in Russian territory

TikToker's old phone enables social media updates from behind Russia's "iron curtain"

Companies with euro gas contracts should not meet Russia's rouble demand, EU says

 

[PommyMommy]

Britain’s most advanced portable missile system is thought to have shot down a Russian helicopter in its first use on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Starstreak, a high-velocity projectile that destroys targets with three kinetic darts, was filmed cutting the aircraft in two over the Luhansk region in the east of the country.

Verified footage of the attack shows the tungsten spears breaking the tail off the Mi-28N, after Ukrainians using British techniques opened fire.


A Ministry of Defence source believed that the video showed Starstreak in action over Ukraine. The source added that the anti-aircraft system had been deployed in the country for almost a week. Senior defence industry sources who examined the film also believe it to be the weapon.

UK missile shoots down first Russian helicopter in Ukraine war | News | The Times

 

[PommyMommy]

A column of buses carrying Ukrainian evacuees, including residents of the besieged port city of Mariupol, arrived Friday evening in Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian city controlled by the Ukrainian army. This is reported by the French news agency AFP.

“The refugee inhabitants of Mariupol had managed to reach Berdiansk, a city occupied by Russian troops. There they were picked up by the convoy, official officials told AFP. From Berdiansk it went to Zaporizhzhia, which is more northwestern, the city that was originally supposed to be the final destination of a humanitarian corridor. It is not clear exactly how many inhabitants of Mariupol were involved”

Oekraïense vluchtelingen uit onder andere Mariupol bereiken Zaporizhzhia | NU - Het laatste nieuws het eerst op NU.nl

“March 30 - A Ukrainian presidential adviser says street fighting is heavy in Mariupol and half the city is in the hands of Russian forces.”
Timeline: Russia's siege of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol

 

[PommyMommy]

NEXTA on Twitter - 8 hrs ago
The United States and 30 other member states of the International Energy Agency at an emergency meeting agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to the market. U.S. and 30 Countries Commit to Release 60 Million Barrels of Oil From Strategic Reserves to Stabilize Global Energy Markets | Department of Energy

NEXTA on Twitter - 7 hrs ago, video
Invaders from the territory of #Crimea fired 3 rockets from the Iskander complex and hit them at a settlement in the #Odessa region, there are wounded - the chairman of the Regional State Administration Maxim Marchenko.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 6 hrs ago
Metsola: Ukraine's candidacy can count on European Parliament support. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said, during a visit to Kyiv, that the EU will help rebuild Ukraine. “Ukraine is Europe,” Metsola said.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 5 hrs ago
Ukraine's Air Force: Russian aircraft increase activity in Donbas, avoid direct confrontation. “The enemy doesn’t control Ukrainian skies,” said Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk. Instead, Russia uses missile strikes, primarily in eastern Ukraine, he added.

NEXTA on Twitter
The #Kyiv region is almost completely liberated from the invaders.

NEXTA on Twitter - 3 hrs ago
The #Netherlands partially suspends the work of its embassy in #Moscow and the consulate general in St. #Petersburg.

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter - 1 hr ago
Volunteers in Lviv Oblast prepare food for Ukraine’s defenders. Local women in Lviv Oblast came together to cook and pack 230 cans of stew, 60 cans of meat pate, 300 kilograms of dumplings (also known as varenyky) and 100 kilograms of pastries to be sent to Ukrainian soldiers.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
The act of the Russian Army stealing kitchen utensils from the Chernobyl NPP hotel was immortalized by Ukrainian graphic artist @marikinoo
This is the "2nd most powerful army in the world" Photo: Mari Kinovych on Instagram

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 1, 2022

Ukraine drastically lacks weapons to defend its airspace - Air Command | Euromaidan Press
Article by: Ukraine’s Air Force Command
In a post on Facebook, Ukraine’s Air Force Command stresses that despite statements to the contrary, Ukraine drastically lacks the weapons it needs to defend its airspace in order to win the war against Russia. Ukraine’s requests to western allies to provide air defense has not been met. MANPADS and Javelins are not enough to counter the dominating Russian air force and until Ukraine receives weapons to protect its sky, Russian bombs and cruise missiles will continue to destroy Ukrainian cities and kill civilians.

Myth: Ukraine’s success on the ground is enough to win.

Reality: Dominance in the air is a decisive factor in this war.

[...]

Russian "military police" destroy Ukrainian books and archives | Euromaidan Press
Editor's Note: Russian “military police” seize and destroy books on Ukrainian history and culture in the occupied territories in the Northeast of Ukraine. There are also cases of destruction and damage to the Ukrainian archives with documents about the Soviet repression and attempts to introduce Russian re-educational programs in Melitopol. Although still officially unconfirmed, appalling instances of deliberate murders of teachers in Bucha were also reported.

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 1, 2022
Foreign volunteers help fight Russia in Irpin (kyivindependent.com)
Irpin, Kyiv Oblast — The urban ruins of the Battle of Kyiv contain many secrets.

[...]

“Remember, people, we need to lodge as many guys as possible here tonight,” one of them tells the rest. “So please move your asses and arrange your sleeping places as close to each other as you can.”

The basement buzzes with a mixture of Ukrainian, Russian, pure and broken English, as well as other languages, snippets of which are barely recognizable to the Slavic ear.

[...]

President Volodymyr Zelensky created the International Legion in late February as a way to organize the influx of foreign volunteers. The Legion forms part of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Force.

By mid-March, the Foreign Ministry had reported over 20,000 applications filed by recruits from 52 countries. Scores of foreigners, namely Chechens, British, Canadians, Americans, Georgians, Poles, and Belarusians have been confirmed as fighting near Kyiv. Some even have their own national formations, like the Belarusian Battalion of Kastuś Kalinoŭski.

[...]

A fighter going by the codename “Wi-Fi” is one of several Czech nationals who came to join the Ukrainian formation in Irpin.

Young and fit, speaking just basic English and having a very basic understanding of Russian or Ukrainian he manages to be fully operative within the formation.

“I did five years in the Czech Republic’s military,” he says, putting his AK-74 cleaning rod in its place. “And half of my family happens to be originally from Ukraine. I couldn’t just stay home when things like this are happening to Ukraine.”

[...]

The Ukrainian military is still working on pushing Russian forces further away. On April 1, Ukraine liberated the town of Bucha, just north-west of Irpin. Despite Russia’s earlier promises to “significantly reduce military activity near Kyiv and Chernihiv” amid talks in Istanbul, Ukraine is winning back territory through intense fighting.

[...]

Stephen, a volunteer in his fifties from Scotland, stood up to his own personal test just the night before.

“See this?” he points out to his shoulder patch reading “Who if not us”.

“This is basically why I am here. A month ago, I was just an olive farm owner shuttling between Spain and Britain. But then I saw in the news what Russia is doing here — bombing cities, killing ordinary people. You just can’t do that, it’s so similar to what the Nazis were doing in World War II.”

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 1, 2022
We must protect Ukraine's state officials from Russian abductions | Euromaidan Press
[...]

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the press March 17 to expect additional “systematic” abductions of local officials and attempts to replace them with Russian puppets. That is what happened in Melitopol where a Russian plant stood ready to do the Kremlin’s bidding as “acting” mayor.

When it comes to Zelenskyy, Russian failure to take Kyiv and peace talks should not create a false sense of security. The 1981 assassination attempt of US President Ronald Reagan took place in broad daylight in Washington D.C. The bullet struck less than an inch from his heart. It only takes one committed individual and one well-aimed gun to kill a head of state.

Moreover, the Russian practice of poisoning its opponents is legendary. Former Ukranian President Viktor Yushchenko fell ill in 2004 with dioxin blood levels said to be 1000 times normal. Yushchenko believes he was poisoned by Russian agents as he tried to maneuver Ukraine closer to Europe.

Ukraine’s own intelligence assessment cites Putin’s “personal involvement” in ordering attacks on Zelenskyy and top officials by one of his proxies.

These proxy-mercenaries, including the Wagner Group and a unit of Chechen special forces, are easier for Putin to manage than the blundering Russian military.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

Stratcom Centre UA on Twitter - Video
First shocking videos emerge from Bucha after Russian forces retreated. Bodies left lying in the street; absolute destruction. This was a prosperous suburb just over a month ago. #StopRussia #StandWithUkraine

Christopher Miller on Twitter - Video
Putin’s troops were destroyed, expelled, and/or forced to retreat in town after town in Kyiv region following an incredible effort by Ukrainian forces. Now, as Ukraine reclaims that territory, new images show the devastation caused by Russian occupation. This is Irpin.

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
6,266 Ukrainians were evacuated from Russia-besieged cities on 1 April, including 3,071 from Mariupol - deputy head of PrezOffice

 

[PommyMommy]

APR 1, 2022
Live updates | US giving Ukraine $300M more in military gear | AP News
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement Friday evening that the gear in the new package includes laser-guided rocket systems, unmanned aircraft, armored vehicles, night vision devices and ammunition. Also included are medical supplies, field equipment and spare parts.

War in Ukraine fuels fears among draft-age Russian youths | AP News
“I don’t trust them when they say they won’t send conscripts into combat. They lie all the time,” said Vladislav, a 22-year-old who is completing his studies and fears he could face the draft immediately after graduation. He asked that his last name not be used, fearing reprisals.

WARNING: Viewers may find the content of this video disturbing.
Destruction On The Road To Kharkiv Reveals Intensity Of Battle For Ukrainian City (rferl.org)
Burned-out Russian tanks, cars, and bodies littered a highway leading to the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. It reveals the intensity of the fighting that occurred there when Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks on occupying Russian troops. On March 31, RFE/RL reporter Roman Pahulych surveyed the destruction along the highway near the village of Mala Rohan just east of Kharkiv.

 

[PommyMommy]

Red Cross heads again for Mariupol as Russia shifts Ukraine focus

UK missile shoots down first Russian helicopter in Ukraine war | The Times

 

[PommyMommy]

TikToker's old phone enables social media updates from behind Russia's "iron curtain"
..."In many countries, including Russia, we have a text message service if you need to notify the population about an upcoming storm," she said in another report. "Now they're using the services to tell people, if you notice someone spreading misinformation regarding the actions of Russian army, then please tell us, please let us know, and there is a form you can fill in… We used to think of this snitching phenomenon as something that is far in the past, and now it's getting back, and we're not quite sure how bad it's going to get."...

...Natalia said that many Russians, especially older generations, having lived for so long under repressive governments, simply don't believe they can make a difference.

"I talk to my mom, I talk to my relatives who are a bit older, and I say, 'Well, why don't you wanna change something?' But they always answer: 'But you can't change anything. Nothing. You can't influence anything. That's it. The government decided everything for us. You can't do anything.' When most of the people believe that, it's hard to change their mind."...

 

[PommyMommy]

The Netherlands is expelling 17 Russian diplomats for espionage | NOS
The Netherlands expels 17 Russian diplomats for espionage

The Netherlands expels 17 Russian diplomats because, according to the intelligence services AIVD and MIVD, they were in reality spies. The Russian ambassador to our country was summoned this afternoon to inform him of the decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The diplomats suspected of espionage must leave our country within two weeks, says Minister Hoekstra of Foreign Affairs. "These people have diplomat on their business card, when they are actually doing something completely different." He wouldn't say what kind of espionage they engaged in.

"We have made this decision for the sake of Dutch security," says Hoekstra. "In the greatly changed context, with the war in Ukraine and the increasing Russian assertiveness."

 

[PommyMommy]

Minder Oekraïners steken Poolse grens over • 'Raketinslag bij woontorens'
Ukrainian photojournalist killed near Kiev

Ukrainian photojournalist Maks Levine was killed about 30 kilometers north of Kiev, reports the news medium LB with whom he often collaborated. His body was found yesterday, according to the news outlet.

The photographer, who also worked for Reuters, among others, went to the area on March 13 with a former photographer to document the effects of the war. Since then there has been no contact with them. Heavy fighting had broken out in the area where the two were.


War in Ukraine: photographer Maks Levine found dead near kyiv

 

[PommyMommy]

Euromaidan Press on Twitter
Turkey is ready to provide ships to organize the evacuation of civilians and the wounded from Mariupol by sea, according to Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar. Турция готова помочь в эвакуации из Мариуполя по морю

The Kyiv Independent on Twitter
Ukraine's intelligence: Russian military set up bazaar to sell looted goods in Belarus.

Defense Ministry Intelligence Directorate says Russian troops set up an open-air marketplace in the Belarus town of Naroulia, where they sell stolen jewelry, cars, cosmetics, and currency.

NEXTA on Twitter
Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk published photos with #Ukrainian servicemen released the day before as a result of an exchange of prisoners with the #Russian side. https://t.co/81ForabClE

 

[PommyMommy]

April 2, 2022
Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Red Cross tries Mariupol evacuation again, Moscow accused of mining homes (nbcnews.com)
''A fresh attempt to evacuate civilians from the besieged southern city of Mariupol will be launched Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement, after Friday's efforts failed because of what the group called "impossible" conditions.

Tens of thousands remain trapped with scant access to food and water in the city which has been encircled since the early days of Russia's five-week-old invasion. The ICRC sent a team on Friday to lead a convoy of about 54 Ukrainian buses and other private vehicles out of the city, but they turned back.

Six other humanitarian corridors would also open Ukraine's prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova said in a separate statement on her Telegram channel.

Her announcement came after Britain's defense ministry said in an intelligence briefing that Ukrainian forces continued to advance on withdrawing Russian forces in the vicinity of Ukraine's capital Kyiv. It added that Russian forces "are reported to have withdrawn from Hostomel airport to the city's northwest which has been subject to fighting since the first day of the conflict."

However, in a late night address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that retreating Russian forces were leaving mines, including around homes and corpses. "There are a lot of trip wires, a lot of other dangers," he said.

 

[PommyMommy]

April 2, 2022
Ex-UN prosecutor urges global arrest warrant for Putin | AP News
GENEVA (AP) — The former chief prosecutor of United Nations war crimes tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda has called for an international arrest warrant to be issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Putin is a war criminal,” Carla Del Ponte told the Swiss newspaper Le Temps in an interview published Saturday.

Live updates | Zelenskyy won't discuss fuel depot attack | AP News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to comment on whether he ordered an attack on a Russian fuel depot.

In an interview with FOX News, Zelenskyy said he does not discuss any orders he issues as commander in chief.

China rejects sanctions as Ukraine war tops summit agenda | AP News
Zhao said when it comes to Ukraine, Beijing would not be forced to “choose a side or adopt a simplistic friend-or-foe approach. We should, in particular, resist the Cold War thinking and bloc confrontation.”

“As the culprit and leading instigator of the Ukraine crisis, the U.S. has led NATO to engage in five rounds of eastward expansion in the last two decades after 1999,” he said, adding that NATO membership almost doubled from 16 to 30 countries, and pushed “Russia to the wall step by step.”

Russia-Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says 30 areas retaken from Russian forces; protest in occupied town violently dispersed – live | World news | The Guardian
40m ago 11:57
The bodies of at least 20 men in civilian clothes were found lying in a street on Saturday after Ukrainian forces retook the town of Bucha, near Kyiv, from Russian troops, according to the AFP news agency.

It reported that the hands of one of the bodies were tied, and that the corpses were strewn over several hundred metres of the residential road in the suburban town north-west of the capital.

The causes of death were not immediately clear, although at least one person had what appeared to be a large head wound.