Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022

[Bit of hope]

EU adopts package of sanctions in response to Russian recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and sending of troops into the region

The package agreed today <23-2-2022> includes:

Targeted restrictive measures
Within the existing framework for sanctions, the EU will extend restrictive measures to cover all the 351 members of the Russian State Duma, who voted on 15 February in favour of the appeal to President Putin to recognise the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk ”republics”.

Moreover targeted restrictive measures will be imposed on additional 27 high profile individuals and entities, who have played a role in undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. These include decision makers such as members of the government, who were involved in the illegal decisions; banks and businesspersons/oligarchs supporting financially or materially Russian operations in the Donetsk and Luhansk's territories, or benefitting from them; senior military officers, who played a role in the invasion and destabilisation actions; and individuals responsible for leading a disinformation war against Ukraine.

Restrictive measures include an asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities. In addition, a travel ban applicable to the listed persons prevents these from entering or transiting through EU territory.

I guess/hope more to come this morning.

 

[Bit of hope]

European Council conclusions on Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine

European Council conclusions, 24 February 2022

Militaire verplaatsingen, extra hulp voor Oekraïne: dit doet Nederland

More trips
In NATO member state the Netherlands, now that the war in Ukraine has broken out, more military movements will be visible, Prime Minister Rutte said today. This mainly concerns logistical preparations related to NATO, says Frits Wester about Rutte's comments. "It concerns, for example, opening airports in preparation for foreign NATO troops. But also material transport over Dutch territory."

The Netherlands is a transit country, says former Army Commander Mart de Kruif. "For example, American NATO equipment enters Europe via the Netherlands. That is why you will see that equipment driving through the Netherlands in the coming period."

Send troops
NATO will not fight in Ukraine, says former Armed Forces Commander Dick Berlin. But the military alliance could send more troops to NATO member states near Ukraine.

The Netherlands also supplies NATO's so-called Response Force, says De Kruif. "It concerns a battalion of 800 men. They must be ready if they are sent out. And that is why we will also see more military movements here. Because those preparations take time. They also just have to check whether everything works. Rutte does not mean that they are already driving to the east of Europe."

show muscles
Today it has become clear what Putin wants, says Berlin. "Putin is now showing his true nature. NATO must now also flex its muscles. So NATO's preparedness must be increased." This should be done on Europe's eastern borders, with NATO member states around Ukraine. "NATO must send a strong signal that it disagrees. That they are determined and willing to escalate with it."

 

[gitana1]

I’m so incredibly impressed with the Russians protesting the invasion. Good for them! And they do this knowing the risk to their own safety is high. That’s courage and integrity.

Hundreds arrested as shocked Russians protest Ukraine attack

 

[gitana1]

EU adopts package of sanctions in response to Russian recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and sending of troops into the region

The package agreed today <23-2-2022> includes:

Targeted restrictive measures
Within the existing framework for sanctions, the EU will extend restrictive measures to cover all the 351 members of the Russian State Duma, who voted on 15 February in favour of the appeal to President Putin to recognise the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk ”republics”.

Moreover targeted restrictive measures will be imposed on additional 27 high profile individuals and entities, who have played a role in undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. These include decision makers such as members of the government, who were involved in the illegal decisions; banks and businesspersons/oligarchs supporting financially or materially Russian operations in the Donetsk and Luhansk's territories, or benefitting from them; senior military officers, who played a role in the invasion and destabilisation actions; and individuals responsible for leading a disinformation war against Ukraine.

Restrictive measures include an asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities. In addition, a travel ban applicable to the listed persons prevents these from entering or transiting through EU territory.

I guess/hope more to come this morning.

What about oil/gas? Anything with that?

 

[margarita25]

Same, I can’t believe this is actually happening. It’s so close. It’s difficult to grasp the situation. Life seems normal for me here work /home regular days and yet there is a war in Ukraine it’s surreal. It makes me nervous of how the situation develops. Sad for all the innocent people . We just barley left pandemic crisis after two years of stress and worry and now this. Feels like life won’t feel normal for a long time .

 

[Bit of hope]

Extraordinary virtual summit of NATO Heads of State and Government

NATO Heads of State and Government will meet via secure teleconference on Friday 25 February 2022, to discuss the security situation in and around Ukraine.

The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg. He will brief the press after the meeting, from NATO Headquarters.

Media Advisory
14:30 (CET) Doorstep of the NATO Secretary General

15:00 Public opening remarks by the NATO Secretary General

18:00 Press conference by the NATO Secretary General

 

[badgersmythe]

Ukraine war: Battle for Kyiv begins as war enters 'hardest day'


Ukraine war: Battle for Kyiv begins as war enters 'hardest day' | Daily Mail Online

 

[badgersmythe]

Mothers and children wave farewell to loved ones as they flee Ukraine


Mothers and children wave goodbye to loved ones they are forced to leave behind as they flee Ukraine | Daily Mail Online

 

[margarita25]

Putin said only attacking military targets...these videos need to be shared everywhere. I sure hope the good Russian people can view these somewhere online

https://twitter.com/i/status/1496857692526329857

OMG.

One of the many horrific videos and realities, I’m afraid.



Heart is breaking and broken.

 

[Bit of hope]

What about oil/gas? Anything with that?

Something about it. IMO this is not going to be in the sanction package.

Gasprijzen door het dak: 'Nog geen alternatief voor Russisch gas'

This is said in an interview with Hans Grünfeld, director of the Association for Energy, Environment and Water (VEMW) on 2/24/2022

Fifteen percent Russian gas
An estimated fifteen percent of all gas in the Netherlands originates in Russia. "We are therefore one of the EU countries that is least dependent on Russian gas. But it is still a substantial share." In comparison: Germany is about thirty percent dependent on it. "Some Eastern European countries are even 100 percent. They have no alternative."

Sanction
If the EU were to decide to stop buying gas from the Russians as a sanction, that would mean that Europe would have to get the gas from somewhere else. "For example, from the Middle East, Africa or the United States. There are talks about this, but it will not work in the short term. Extra gas cannot simply be produced."

He cannot therefore imagine that this sanction will come. "We mainly affect ourselves with this. In that case, an acute shortage will arise in some countries."

This was said by Ursula von der Leyen European Commission President in a press conference
https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1497021840572796928?s=20&t=UEpqfpLNWQHfqf7c-cvpBw

"Our export ban will hit the oil sector by making it impossible for Russia to upgrade its refineries."

 

[margarita25]

The 2018 US election had substantial hacking and manipulation of voting by Russian operatives

Numerous cyberhacking events in the US associated with utilities, medical facilities, media and the internet are associated with Russia.

Banking, finance issues, aviation, civil defense and organizations that maintain water supplies, power supplies, transit, etc are all vulnerable from cyberhacking.

Putin has successfully penetrated US informatics and internet and will not hesitate to do more if he needs to.

This is not just Ukraine. This is not just Europe. This is US, right here and right now.

Yep.

Correct. It's a NATO problem regardless of location.

Geography fact of the day: There are only 55 miles between Russia and Alaska USA
(only 2.5 miles if you measure between the islands of Big Diomede and Little Diomede)

This psychopathic, sociopathic, narcissistic nutcase is a danger to us all.

GASP. Wow.

 

[sunshineray]

Tanks have entered the capital...

https://mobile.twitter.com/AlchevskUA/status/1497128120746401799

Edited to include a second vid


https://mobile.twitter.com/AlexKhrebet/status/1497123956318523392

 

[Bit of hope]

"Vladimir Poetin moet de gevolgen dragen": verregaande sancties van EU, VS, VK en Japan tegen Rusland

The sanctions will have a massive impact on Russia, according to both the US and Europe. "Russian President Vladimir Putin must and will fail," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The United Kingdom and Japan have also announced measures.

Europe: 'Putin must and will fail'
The European Union agreed last night on "heavy and massive" sanctions against Russia. The heads of state and government approved measures that will "maximize" the Russian economy and the elite. President Vladimir Putin "must and will fail," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after the crisis summit.

It concerns a broad package of sanctions, the details of which will be worked out in the coming days:

• The financial measures will affect 70 percent of Russia's banking system and major state-owned enterprises. “This will increase borrowing costs, increase inflation and gradually erode the industrial base,” said von der Leyen.
• The EU bans the sale of aircraft and parts to Russian airlines. That too will hurt, von der Leyen said, as three quarters of Russia's current commercial fleet is produced in the EU, the United States and Canada.
• It has also been decided to restrict Russia's access to crucial technology, such as semiconductors and advanced software.
• Russian diplomats and businessmen will lose their privileged access to the EU through visa policy interventions. Measures are also being taken so that the Russian elite can no longer hide money in safe havens in Europe.
• An export ban for Russia will eventually make it impossible to upgrade Russia's oil refineries, von der Leyen said. After all, these are parts that can only be made and supplied by Europe. That should also have an impact on Russia's income.

 

[Sincerely]

Sad day. While Putin is evil, he’s far from unintelligent. He has planned for this and for the expected sanctions (I would think)? So what is he planning ultimately? I just don’t believe he would show his hand and not be fully prepared to take on those outside of Ukraine. I’m not much of a political person but from what I do know, Putin scares me as I don’t underestimate his capacity to use nuclear weapons or any means that will ensure he achieves his objectives.

 

[Amonet]

How NATO has expanded eastwards and infuriated Putin:

View attachment 334632

Why does he have to take this as a threat, though

Russia could be a part of the modern world, but he seems not to want that. It's like he just focuses on wanting to be the 'old' Russia and can't see anything else.

 

[Bit of hope]

Tanks have entered the capital...

https://mobile.twitter.com/AlchevskUA/status/1497128120746401799

Edited to include a second vid


https://mobile.twitter.com/AlexKhrebet/status/1497123956318523392

Sarcastic: Putin is very impressed by the sanctions. Not. Taking Kiev (Kyiv) is just a big middle finger up to the Ukraine, Navo and EU.

 

[sunshineray]

Gunfire has started in central Kyiv

 

[Bit of hope]

Gunfire has started in central Kyiv

Counter attack by Ukraine.
Oekraïners slaan terug: militaire luchthaven in Rusland getroffen door raketaanval

The Russian army may be moving very quickly through Ukraine, but the Ukrainians are also hitting back: Friday morning they bombed a military airport on Russian territory.

The Russian air base in Millerovo is located about 16 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, near the economically important city of Rostov-on-Don. On Friday morning, Ukrainian missiles hit the air base.

This seems to be confirmed by Ukraine, but don't know where to find it.

 

[Bit of hope]

Russia bans British airlines from its airspace

British airlines have been banned from landing at Russia's airports and from crossing its airspace, the Russian civil aviation regulator has said.

It follows the UK's decision to ban Russia's national airline Aeroflot from landing in the UK.

 

[sunshineray]

Clashes in Northern District of Kyiv City

Clashes in Northern District of Kyiv City - The Moscow Times

Edit to fix by me