Media Article Links on the Troubles in Ukraine, Novorossiya/NAF, DPR, LPR/LNR

[msmoby]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/26/opinion/sunday/ukraine-war-donetsk.html

Also interesting - by a local

[AvHdB]

Over the weekend elections for local officials and it seems some of the seats in the Rada were held. It seems turnout was low (I guess average). But part of the process were questions from (and paid by) Servant of the People party. The text is below.

Citizens were asked to answer the following five questions:

- Do you support the idea of life imprisonment for corruption on a particularly large scale?

- Do you support the creation of a free economic zone in Donetsk and Lugansk regions?

- Do you support a reduction in the number of Members of Parliament to 300?

- Do you support the legalization of marijuana for medical use, i.e. to reduce pain in critically ill patients?

- Do you support Ukraine's right to use the security guarantees stipulated in the Budapest Memorandum to restore its state sovereignty and territorial integrity?

From UNIAN: https://www.unian.info/society/osce-odihr-says-zelensky-s-poll-on-election-day-creates-undue-political-advantage-11195780.html

The questions give some indication of the thinking of President V Zelensky and perhaps by inference the direction he wants the country to move towards.

Compared to elections in Belarus it is refreshing.

[2tallbill]

Note: If I post something here, do not assume that I agree with everything in the report
I posted links so that you can read it in it's entirety and make up your own mind. 

Has Putin finally sprung his 'false flag' operation? 'Car bomb' rocks Ukrainian separatist capital in
'assassination attempt' hours after mass EVACUATION of 700,000 civilians was announced amid
blaring air raid sirens and dire warnings of attack by Kiev
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10527897/Ukraine-crisis-Pro-Moscow-rebels-start-evacuating-civilians.html


Russia Planning Post-Invasion Arrest and Assassination Campaign in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say
https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/18/russia-ukraine-arrest-assassination-invasion/


Shelling intensifies in eastern Ukraine amid concern Russia's creating a pretext for an invasion
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-news-shelling-donbas-buildup-latest-us-invasion-pretext-blinken-lavrov/

[andrewfi]

Ceasefire violations 18/2/22

https://www.moonofalabama.org/11i/dnrinv5.jpg

[AvHdB]

Interesting map from the OSCE it only gives a part of the picture. Below is a table that indicates the source of the explosions. It seems the OSCE can not ascribe many of the explosions or weapons, to artillery, mortar or missiles to any belligerent. Seeing the quantity I suspect many are in fact the efforts of the terrorists and hybrid Russian forces present in Donetsk and Lugansk to create further tensions.

https://www.osce.org/files/4/9/table_ceasefire--2022-02-18.pdf?itok=95901

[2tallbill]

Note: If I post something here, do not assume that I agree with everything in the report
I posted links so that you can read it in it's entirety and make up your own mind.

U.S. warns that Moscow has compiled lists of Ukrainians to target after invasion
The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. has said the U.S. has “credible information” that Russia has
compiled lists of Ukrainians “to be killed or sent to camps” following an invasion.

Western officials have said that Russia may use false claims about the ongoing conflict in
eastern Ukraine as a pretext for an invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Moscow should consider formally
recognizing the self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine as independent.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/21/us-says-russia-expected-to-invade-ukraine-very-soon.html

Stoking tensions, Putin recognizes two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/talk-biden-putin-summit-ukraine-shelling-rcna17033


Russian Terminator tanks move within two miles of Ukrainian border as war fears grow
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-terminator-tanks-move-within-26288811

[yankee]

western banks stand to lose 121 billion to russian entities


https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/blackrock-just-lost-17-billion-due-to-its-russian-exposure-that-s-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-as-western-banks-are-owed-121-billion-by-russian-entities/ar-AAUWNy2

[Manny]

An excellent article on the history of the current conflict in Ukraine: When Fanatical Ideology Bumps up Against Stone Cold Reality

Also this:

Does Russia have a right to invade Ukraine?

According to Christopher Black, an international criminal lawyer based in Toronto who is known for a number of high-profile war crimes cases, yes.

Article here: The Legality Of War

[cufflinks]

Looks like Ukraine refuses to "sue for peace" and instead doubles down on violence - afraid 10 million more Ukrainians to be displaced in addition to the current 10 Million...  Russia is likely to use tactical nukes soon to crush resistance - or - just use cruise missiles and other long-range heavy weapons to give every Ukraine city the Grozny treatment, first to soften them up and second several years later to utterly destroy them - this is now a long term war of attrition as Putin Pissed as a wounded giant Kamchatka Brown Bear and now looking for vengeance...

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/16/fact-sheet-on-u-s-security-assistance-for-ukraine/

Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine
MARCH 16, 2022

STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
President Biden today announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total U.S. security assistance committed to Ukraine to $1 billion in just the past week, and a total of $2 billion since the start of the Biden Administration. The assistance will take the form of direct transfers of equipment from the Department of Defense to the Ukrainian military to help them defend their country against Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion.

The new $800 million assistance package includes:

800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems;
100 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;
Over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds;
25,000 sets of body armor; and
25,000 helmets.
In addition to the weapons listed above, previous United States assistance committed to Ukraine includes:

Over 600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
Approximately 2,600 Javelin anti-armor systems;
Five Mi-17 helicopters;
Three patrol boats;
Four counter-artillery and counter-unmanned aerial system tracking radars;
Four counter-mortar radar systems;
200 grenade launchers and ammunition;
200 shotguns and 200 machine guns;
Nearly 40 million rounds of small arms ammunition and over 1 million grenade, mortar, and artillery rounds;
70 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and other vehicles;

Secure communications, electronic warfare detection systems, body armor, helmets, and other tactical gear;
Military medical equipment to support treatment and combat evacuation;
Explosive ordnance disposal and demining equipment; and
Satellite imagery and analysis capability.

In addition to the U.S.-produced short-range air defense systems the Ukrainians have been using to great effect, the United States has also identified and is helping the Ukrainians acquire additional, longer-range systems on which Ukraine’s forces are already trained, as well as additional munitions for those systems.

The United States continues to expedite the authorization and facilitation of additional assistance to Ukraine from our Allies. At least 30 countries have provided security assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. In 2022, the Department of State authorized third-party transfers of defensive equipment from more than 14 countries, a number that continues to grow as Allies and Partners increase support to Ukraine.

###

[2tallbill]

Note: If I post something here, do not assume that I agree with everything in the report
I posted links so that you can read it in it's entirety and make up your own mind. I
advise reading from several different sources.


Russian state TV declares World War Three has started after sinking of Moskva
"Olga Skabeyeva, one of Vladimir Putin’s leading propagandists, told viewers Western
support for Ukraine amounted to direct conflict with Russia, saying:
‘What it’s escalated into can safely be called World War Three.
That’s entirely for sure."
https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/15/ukraine-russian-state-tv-warns-world-war-three-has-already-begun-16472787/


Maybe they should have thought of this during the Korean and
Vietnam wars?
Russia warns U.S. against further arming Ukraine
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-warns-us-arming-ukraine/


Words mean things unless you are on the far left.
Zelenskiy reportedly asks Biden to name Russia a state sponsor of terrorism
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2022/apr/15/joe-biden-russia-ukraine-putin-us-politics-live-latest


Putin’s Ukraine Gamble Pivots to a Very Different Battlefield
https://dnyuz.com/2022/04/16/putins-ukraine-gamble-pivots-to-a-very-different-battlefield/

[Texan77]

Turkey will not let more Russian ships on the Black Sea. Russia will not be able to replace the ship.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Turkey-rejects-Russia-s-request-for-navy-ships-to-pass-Bosporus

[Manny]

Jacques Baud is a former colonel of the General Staff, ex-member of the Swiss strategic intelligence, specialist on Eastern countries. He was trained in the American and British intelligence services. He has served as Policy Chief for United Nations Peace Operations. As a UN expert on rule of law and security institutions, he designed and led the first multidimensional UN intelligence unit in the Sudan. He has worked for the African Union and was for 5 years responsible for the fight, at NATO, against the proliferation of small arms. He was involved in discussions with the highest Russian military and intelligence officials just after the fall of the USSR. Within NATO, he followed the 2014 Ukrainian crisis and later participated in programs to assist the Ukraine. He is the author of several books on intelligence, war and terrorism.

His article is a must-read in my opinion:

The Military Situation In Ukraine

[Texan77]

Is there anybody left who wants to be a Russian general or admiral? One more in a long string of generals that have been either killed or arrested. The admiral of Black Sea fleet arrested. I wonder if the new guy is going to be more competent or just more afraid.

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/russia-ukraine-invasion-blacksea/2022/04/17/id/1066023/

[2tallbill]

Note: If I post something here, do not assume that I agree with everything in the
report I posted links so that you can read it in it's entirety and make up your own
mind. I advise reading from several different sources.

Russia Broadcasts Video Of Captured 'Britons' Urging Boris Johnson
To Negotiate Release
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/russia-broadcasts-video-of-captured-britons-urging-boris-johnson-to-negotiate-release-2897534


Russian warship’s sinking raises tense questions about fate of crew
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-warship-e2-80-99s-sinking-raises-tense-questions-about-fate-of-crew/ar-AAWkIZw


WARSHIP RIDDLE Mystery as ‘dead’ captain of sunk Russian flagship Moskva
filmed at ‘survivors’ parade as hundreds of sailors missing
https://www.the-sun.com/news/5140378/mystery-dead-captain-sunk-russian-moskva-survivors-parade/


Russian Orthodox leader backs Ukraine war, divides faith
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-orthodox-leader-backs-ukraine-war-divides-faith/ar-AAWjKGd


Putin demands Russia gain control of Jerusalem church as promised
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-704490


Zelensky warns of Russian nuclear attack and calls for stockpile of radiation pills
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/zelensky-warns-russian-nuclear-attack-26730111

[2tallbill]

[Bodine]

Well, FWIW, an American citizen, Gonzalo Lira, a pro-Russia blogger, according to report (if true) was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by the Azov battalion's Kraken Unit. Is being a pro-Russia make Mr. Lira any less a 'citizen' of the US that made him dispensable and deprived of any human rights protection. The US is arming the Azov battalion, which them makes the US complicit to this unlawful act?

https://kawsachunnews.com/chilean-and-us-authorities-silent-on-gonzalo-lira

[Bodine]

Maybe many, or some of you, are already aware of this. But for some who aren't...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEIFwLKlq1Q

[Texan77]

The hidden reason Ukraine was able to defeat Russia in Kiev area.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/23/ukraine-belarus-railway-saboteurs-russia/

[dorbradavid]

Interesting article on the R-U mess by an Swiss ex-NATO official

https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/modern-day-censorship/the-military-situation-in-the-ukraine-as-seen-by-an-ex-member-of-the-swiss-strategic-intelligence/

[andrewfi]

I came upon this document today.
https://osce.org/files/f/documents/e/7/233896.pdf

What do you guys think?

[BillyB]

The 2016 Report says Azov battalion tortured people. 40 Democrats signed a 2019 letter below asking Trump to do something about the neo nazi group Azov battalion and they referred to a UN report saying the Azov battalion is responsible for human rights abuses and torture.

https://web.archive.org/web/20200130033931/https://maxrose.house.gov/uploadedfiles/2019.10.16_rose_fto_letter_to_state.pdf

The Azov battalion was a concern of Putin and the Democrats yet the Democrats seem to embrace them now instead of addressing Putin's concern. If and its a big 'if' Ukraine wins the war, the neo nazis will have a bigger influence in Ukraine's affairs due to their contributions. They will become the Deep's State's preferred army in that region of the world.

[Lon]

previously I posted one of Peter Zeihan's vids about the routes into Russia that they wanted to block.
this is about the importance of Ukraine's rivers to Russia.
most info in the first 5 minutes

the last part of vid has some comments about oil production and how it will be declining over the next few months and year or so

[dorbradavid]

Nice update

[Lon]

theses two discuss how each side, Russia and Ukraine, can win the war
either way, in their opinion, it will take years, at least 2

[AJ]

Halo seldom posts here now-

But this is a very interesting article 
she shared,
 from a former chinese ambasador regarding the conflict.

https://gaodawei.wordpress.com/2022/05/10/fmr-prc-amb-to-ukraine-on-russias-impending-defeat-and-international-relations/