Ukraine war mega thread

[misskit]

Stalled and frustrated, Putin will likely 'double down' in the coming weeks, CIA says

CIA Director William Burns said Tuesday that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has fallen far short of Vladimir Putin's expectations and that he believes the Russian president is likely to escalate military operations.


"I think Putin is angry and frustrated right now. He's likely to double down and try to grind down the Ukrainian military with no regard for civilian casualties," Burns testified before the House Intelligence Committee. "His military planning and assumptions were based on a quick, decisive victory."


Burns was one of several intelligence chiefs who appeared before the committee's annual hearing on worldwide threats.


The CIA director said Putin premised his war on four false assumptions: He thought Ukraine was weak, he believed Europe was distracted and wouldn't mount a strong response, he thought Russia's economy was prepared to withstand sanctions and he believed Russia's military had been modernized and would fight effectively.


"He's been proven wrong on every count," said Burns, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008.

MORE A frustrated Putin is likely to 'double down' in the coming weeks, CIA says : NPR

[misskit]

Ukraine-Russia war: Western officials 'seriously concerned' Putin could use chemical weapons

Western officials have “serious concerns” that Russia could use chemical weapons in Ukraine, it emerged today.


Worries are mounting among allied governments after Moscow was seen “setting the scene” for such an attack, and after Ukraine accused Russia of a litany of attacks on civilians - including targeting a children's and maternity hospital in Mariupol.


A Western official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We’re seeing some of the disinformation come out of Moscow about non-conventional weapons.


“We saw this in Syria, the Russians starting that talk when they or their proxies were about to use those weapons there.”


Asked if there are concerns the Russia will use chemical weapons, they replied: “We have good reason to be concerned about the possible use of non conventional weapons.

“Partly because we’ve seen what has happened in other theatres, for example in Syria, partly because we see a bit of setting the scene for that in the false flag claims that are coming out, and some other indications as well.


“So it’s a serious concern for us.”


Russia-backed Syria was repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons in the country's bloody war, but Russia vetoed a 2017 UN resolution that would have looked into who was responsible.

MORE Ukraine-Russia war: Western officials 'seriously concerned' Putin could use chemical weapons - Mirror Online

[misskit]

Better watch out SoCal. If you are not a registered agent the CSIS will be around to collect you soon.

FBI: NYC 'Russian propaganda center' founder charged

NEW YORK - A woman with Russian and U.S. citizenships who founded what prosecutors called a "Russian propaganda center" in New York City was charged Tuesday with subverting laws for the last decade that require foreign agents to register with the U.S.


The charges against Elena Branson were announced after the unsealing of a criminal complaint in Manhattan federal court.

MORE FBI: NYC '''Russian propaganda center''' founder charged

[helge]

In 2020, Cyprus suspended the controversial “Golden Visa” scheme, which gave foreigners a passport in exchange for massive investment in the country. The scheme, established in 2013, netted Cyprus some €7 billion — and scored passports for many Russian oligarchs.

Malta is another place where scumbags can buy themselves an EU Passport.

[misskit]

‘We Are the First in the World to Introduce This New Warfare’: Ukraine’s Digital Battle Against Russia

For almost two weeks, people across the world have seen photos and videos of Ukrainian civilians taking up arms alongside members of the military, determined to defend their country against Russia’s brutal invasion. Outside the view of the cameras, though, Ukraine is confronting Russia on a second front — in cyberspace.


Over the weekend, I talked with Oleksandr “Alex” Bornyakov, Ukraine’s deputy minister of digital transformation — and one of the government figures behind Ukraine’s digital war with Russia. Ever since Russia’s invasion of Eastern Ukraine in 2014, the Ukrainian government has worked to build up its tech sector and fortify its infrastructure against Russian cyberattacks. That included creating a Ministry of Digital Transformation in 2019 to attract tech companies from abroad and develop a home-grown startup ecosystem to end Ukrainian reliance on Russian technology. Those efforts have paid off so far in the current war, as Ukraine works to keep communications running and defends against Russian cyber aggression.


Since Russia’s invasion last month, Bornyakov and the ministry have been working with social media companies to combat Russian disinformation and marshaling the support of global tech giants — including Elon Musk, who provided satellite technology to help keep the internet running in Ukraine. The 40-year-old deputy minister also is leading a cryptocurrency crowdfunding effort, raising about $70 million in crypto donations to date, which Bornyakov says go directly into government coffers to fund Ukraine’s civilian resistance. Perhaps the most powerful weapon in Ukraine’s digital arsenal, and one of the riskiest, is the so-called IT Army of Ukraine — a diffuse group of civilian hackers from around the world who have volunteered to take down Russian and Russian-aligned sites. Bornyakov said his team has been giving the group “tasks” through a Telegram channel with more than 300,000 members.

“We are the first in the world to introduce this new warfare. And it’s powerful, yet simple at the same time,” he told me. “It’s impossible to disrupt it or break it down.”


When we spoke, Bornyakov had been evacuated from Kyiv along with other members of the government and could not disclose his location. He hadn’t slept in days. Even as his country suffers unspeakable damage and casualties, he sounded resilient and confident that the Ukrainian government’s efforts over the past several years have strengthened the country’s position against Russia on the digital battlefield. But we also talked about whether Ukraine’s infrastructure will be able to withstand increasingly aggressive Russian cyberattacks, as well as the thornier challenge of penetrating Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s disinformation campaign to sell his own citizens on the invasion. Here, Bornyakov is less optimistic, offering personal stories about his family in Russia as evidence that Putin’s falsehoods are shaping Russian public opinion.


The following transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity. ‘We Are the First in the World to Introduce This New Warfare’: Ukraine’s Digital Battle Against Russia - POLITICO

[sabang]

^aka The Tik Tok War.

[sabang]

Ukraine is a sovereign nation

So you keep repeating. So is Cuba. So is Venezuela. Ditto Syria, Iraq etc. I'm not sure really what point you wish to make. If it is "UKR can join Nato if it wants to"- well no, that requires the unanimous consent of all existing Nato members. Personally, I really do not see it happening, but hey that's just my opinion. If it is "UKR can join the EU if it wants to"- well that requires EU consent, but it certainly has the right to ask. But would it succeed? Y'all love to call Russia a kleptocracy, Ukie is far worse. It is nowhere near ready to join the EU frankly, the EU is not a self impoverishment club. Playing the sympathy card does not change that.

The best future for the people of Ukraine lies as neither a US or Russian pawn- it lies as an ideal, neutral buffer zone between Europe and the great continent of Asia (most of the Worlds GDP, Trade, Population and Growth lies there). It is an ideal conduit for the BRI, which greatly reduces the cost of and facilitates trade between Europe and Asia. Right now, with all of these blood curdling (and economically suicidal) threats to wean off Russian gas and oil, you are actually greatly harming about the only thing keeping the Ukrainian government afloat- it benefits greatly from transit fees on natural gas pipelines.

I would suggest if we really want to help the people of Ukraine, going forward, we should be focusing on things like this- rather than US wounded pride, or Putinmania. But first there is the small matter of a war to be ended, and a peace arrived at.

[pickel]

^
There you go again saying Ukraine and NATO have to change. Does it ever occur to you that maybe it is Russia who needs to change?

[sabang]

Just plain old common sense. How poor does Europe wish to make itself? Who's interests does it's government represent- that of it's own citizens, or of a foreign power? Hey, I guess they are Sovereign nations too- up to them to decide.


Europe needs to sharpen eyes to see through US' 'tearjerker'


On Tuesday local time, US President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil, liquefied natural gas, and coal imports. This is so far the toughest sanctions launched by the US and its allies against Russia. It targets the main artery of Russia's economy and aims to "inflict further pain on Putin." Biden added that there will be costs as well in the US. But it is generally believed that people in Europe will mainly be the ones suffering from the pain and costs caused by these sanctions.

Data show that around 45 percent of the EU's natural gas came from Russia in 2021, and Russia is also Europe's largest oil supplier. Data from the ICE Stock Exchange in London show that gas futures prices in Europe on Monday rose by more than 50% and exceeded $3,500 per 1000 cubic meters. In contrast, the US does not import any Russian gas at all, and only eight percent of its oil and oil products come from Russia. However, US media plays along with Washington and claims these sanctions will result in price increases in the US. This is a "tearjerker" Washington has put on for Europe.

Inflation in the US had already been a very serious problem long before the Ukraine crisis. Even if Washington did not sanction Moscow, oil prices would still rise in the US. This is mostly the result of the failure of the US economic structure. But Washington wants to use this chance to pose as a mournful "pioneer," hypocritically pretending that "I will fight alone if you have difficulties," and the ultimate goal is to persuade European countries to follow it and ban Russian energy imports together. Washington is well aware that only if Europe joins will its goal of "striking the artery of Russia's economy" be possible to realize.

For Washington, this is a good deal. But Europe will have to pay a really heavy price. Germany has made it clear that it doesn't plan to join any ban. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that "at the moment, Europe's supply of energy for heat generation, mobility, power supply, and industry cannot be secured in any other way." French President Emmanuel Macron also stated bluntly in a statement that the US is not dependent on Russian oil and gas, but Europe is. Therefore, some netizens have commented that Washington is trying to "kill" the EU and disguise it as a "mass suicide."

The US is fanning the flames with coercive measures to form a "circle" to sanction Russia, in a bid to maximize the effects of squeezing Russia with geopolitical approach. But the truth is, even within the trans-Atlantic alliance, different sides' real requests and attitudes are not as unanimous as they appear. It is impossible that the US can reach consensus. Washington also demanded non-Western countries to follow its commands. This is even more arrogant and overbearing. As Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan asked, "Are we your slaves?"

Europe is facing the most serious crisis since the end of World War II. The process to address the crisis and its final end is directly linked to Europe's future: Will the continent completely become a strategic vassal of Washington? Or will it become one respectable polar in the multipolar world? The result depends on what Europe chooses to do. Europe has been promoting strategic autonomy in recent years, the agenda of which is deeply jeopardized by the Ukraine crisis. If Europe becomes severely divided, it will be more dependent on the US for security. This will inevitably cost Europe its autonomy.

Ironically, shortly before the US announced its energy ban, a high-level US delegation was sent to Venezuela to discuss the possibility of removing energy sanctions on this Latin American country. Venezuela has been an important target of US heavy sanctions - and the two countries cut their diplomatic ties in 2019. Nevertheless, to sustain sanctions on Russia, the US is considering cutting loose Venezuela. This again shows the US sanctions have been running out of options.

Russia and Ukraine are negotiating, and there are sporadic signs of easing of the situation. But Washington is eager to put off that positive light and spares no efforts to escalate the crisis to a new height. This is about nothing but interests. Washington has been striving to convince and rope in Europe to its side, because the latter is the most useful weapon for the US. If Washington wants to "defeat Moscow," it must use and sacrifice Europe. Perhaps the US always needs a war. But is that the case for Europe?

Europe needs to sharpen eyes to see through US' 'tearjerker': Global Times editorial - Global Times


(^ It sure was. Shall we repeat it another thousand times, and hopefully someone might remember? )

[HermantheGerman]

^
This imbecile post has been brought to you by:

I very much doubt there will be any war at all

[HermantheGerman]

^^

Wait!!! I got another one....it gets even more moronic or hilarious. Choose

One hopes the role of the anglo press in this debacle will come under further scrutiny. The real pearlers I noticed from yesterday were both from Murdoch outlets- one article saying that Putin had given the go ahead to invade Ukraine (from Newscorp Australia), another (Fox) saying the Biden administration were making total fools of themself. At least one was right.

This idiot finds articles and claims: "spot on", "plain common sense"




He's Popeye the sailor man.

[sabang]

So do you think that Germany should cut itself off from all Russian energy supplies Herman? Go lobby your government then. Hope you like bicycles.

[Backspin]

Seattle’s record high gas prices leave drivers, gas stations with tough choices | The Seattle Times

[Backspin]

So do you think that Germany should cut itself off from all Russian energy supplies Herman? Go lobby your government then. Hope you like bicycles.

The US is playing Germany. This was the whole point of the war. Germany should have its own foreign policy.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday that her country would “not be able to move” without Russian oil imports. While the UK and US announced they would cease buying Moscow’s oil, Germany is too reliant to quit. "A third of our oil imports come from Russia," Baerbock told the video channel of the newspaper Bild. “If we stopped these straight away, then tomorrow we would not be able to move in Germany anymore.” “We are trying to do everything we can to stop this war,” Baerbock continued, referring to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, before claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently “unstoppable.

https://www.rt.com/russia/551505-ban...il-will-grind/

[Troy]

^ The whole point of the war was to show Germany didn't have a foreign policy?

You sure are having a great time pissing everyone off with your bullshit.

In the real world men, women, and children are being killed for no good reason.

[sabang]

^^ Oh, but Herman knows better. And it is not exactly a secret Troy, that the US has been desperately trying to scupper the NS2 pipeline for some time now. They may well have succeeded too- but pray tell who does that benefit?

[russellsimpson]

CIA Director William Burns said Tuesday that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has fallen far short of Vladimir Putin's expectations and that he believes the Russian president is likely to escalate military operations.

Warned against NATO being too eager to eat up former Soviet state republics. Remains quite outspoken. He'd be the guy to know how Putin ticks.

[sabang]

Wouldn't it be great to know Vladimir Putin- his physical & psychological health, plans, aspirations, and disappointments or otherwise as well as our armchair army does. Why, I swear they must know him better than he knows himself.

[baldrick]

Wouldn't it be great to know Vladimir Putin

no - the idea that you would like have him as a friend or acquaintance indicates you are rather out of step with the civilized world

[sabang]

??? Have him as a friend or acquaintance? What a strange comment.

[David48atTD]

This one. I watched this lecture in 2015 when it had just 10,000 views. Then as the war started, it had 6 million views. Now it has 18 million views. And ppl are trying to cancel him now. For a long boring lecture, 18 million views is huge.

Couple of things.

For me, I like to listen to others views, even if they challenge my long term held beliefs, keeps me from being a 'know it all'.

"Now it has 18 million views" ... it takes only watching 5 secs of the video to count as a 'view'.

[David48atTD]

The US is playing Germany. This was the whole point of the war.

[misskit]

Russia to Create Register of People Linked to 'Foreign Agents'

Russia is set to create a register of persons linked to so-called “foreign agents” as the Kremlin presses on with a crackdown on the free media since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to an amendment currently being considered in the lower-house State Duma.


Anyone with links to “foreign agents” — a label used for "politically active" individuals, media outlets and NGOs that receive funding from abroad — will be added to a new register maintained by the Justice Ministry.

The registry will include heads and founders of “foreign agents” and their former and current employees in addition to individuals deemed by the state to have been politically active and received money or assistance from “foreign agents.”

Any individuals added to the new “foreign agents” registry will be required to display a lengthy boilerplate text on all published materials, including social media posts.


The move comes amid a fierce crackdown on independent journalism as the Kremlin seeks to strictly control the flow of information about its invasion of Ukraine.


Authorities have banned calling the war a "war" or "invasion," and a new law threatens up to 15 years in prison for spreading “fake news” about the Russian Armed Forces.


The last vestiges of Russia’s free press fell under the pressure last week, with radio station Eko Moskvy pulled from air, and Mediazona and Dozhd blocked for spreading “disinformation” on the war.


Dmitry Muratov, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning editor of Novaya Gazeta, said “everything that’s not propaganda is being eliminated.” Novaya Gazeta itself halted its coverage of the war to protect itself from being blocked.


Over 150 journalists fleeing Russia in the past week due to the crackdown.

Russia to Create Register of People Linked to 'Foreign Agents' - The Moscow Times

[misskit]

Exclusive: So many Canadian fighters in Ukraine, they have their own battalion, source says

So many citizens of Canada have shown up in Ukraine to fight for the country’s new foreign legion, the organization has set up a separate Canadian battalion, says a Ukrainian government source.

The news is more evidence of a historic movement by people here to join the armed forces of another nation, and potentially risk their lives in combat against Russian invaders.


The 550 would-be fighters that have arrived from Canada so far are part of a battalion based in Kyiv, said the representative of the International Legion for the Territorial Defence of Ukraine, who asked not to be identified for security reasons.


“International legion volunteers are usually kept together for logistics purposes as it is easier for communication, to avoid language barriers,” he said.


Meanwhile, a Ukrainian-Canadian activist helping in the recruitment of fighters in this country said hundreds more have volunteered to fight in Ukraine.

MORE Exclusive: So many Canadian fighters in Ukraine, they have their own battalion, source says | National Post

[sabang]

What else to do, now that Putin is off the menu.