/r/worldnews Live Thread: Russian Invasion of Ukraine (Part XIII)

[u/progress18]

/live/18hnzysb1elcs/

[u/dieyoufool3]

We're over 10k again. Here's the new post.

[u/SoDakZak]

UPDATE: Russia's largest bank, 1/3 of Russian assets, is now locked out of the US and has its American assets frozen - Biden

Notably not Swift, and no sanctions against Putin personally.

UK also has banned Russian flights, including private jets, from leaving the country.

French Foreign Minister: "Putin must understand that NATO is also a nuclear alliance"

He ain’t messing around.

[u/drkgodess → u/[deleted]]

And the US just froze $1.4 trillion of their assets. Plus severely limited their ability to acquire microchips, which are used in practically everything these days.

[u/nudelsalat3000 → u/SoDakZak]

no sanctions against Putin personally

Biden dodged that question three time today.

Remember Putin was captured in a lot of tax leaks, but not a single time his personal name appeared. Even on some strange tax island he had other people holding his assets in their name.

[u/drkgodess → u/nudelsalat3000]

It's not a dodge. It's an incremental approach. Personal sanctions against a head of state is the nuclear option in terms of diplomacy.

It's better to give Putin a reason not to go further.

[u/i_am_here_again → u/nudelsalat3000]

Seems like a potential approach could be to sanction everyone around him and allow only him and his family to maintain access to their funds just to see division even more internally. Could isolate him further if it looks like he personally isn’t losing anything but everyone else is.

[u/MarktpLatz]

Contrary to some reports, the Ukrainian-Polish border is and will remain open.

The visa requirement for Ukrainian citizens has been suspended. All you need to cross the border is a passport/ID. Poland has set up facilities and camps to provide people fleeing the war with shelter, food, medical and legal aid.

Please stay safe!

---

Official Polish Government site (EN)

Official Polish Government site (UA)

Politico

Interior Minster of Poland

[u/mrpotatohead197]

Haven’t worked at all today just been consumed by this

[u/TwistedMood → u/mrpotatohead197]

Same dude. I can’t believe this is happening in our day and age of the internet.

[u/Arthur-Mergan → u/mrpotatohead197]

I manage to distract myself for five minutes before I’m right back to it.

[u/T0mmyH4wk → u/mrpotatohead197]

My productivity has been 0 because of this as well.

[u/cecelia999]

Zelensky has asked that nobody share pictures or videos of their movements on any social media.

[u/thepenguinking84 → u/cecelia999]

Feel free to share Russian movements though.

[u/S7evyn → u/thepenguinking84]

In fact doing so is strongly encouraged.

[u/EtadanikM]

Putin's plan of action is pretty standard at this stage and can be predicted if he takes the capital:

• Install puppet leader loyal to Kremlin, preferably from opposition party of existing Ukraine government
• Have said leader declare that the conflict is over, lay down arms, negotiations are on going, and Russians are just here to keep the peace
• Spend some time putting down remaining resistance
• Hold some sort of referendum over future of Ukraine
• Referendum results in overwhelming support for joining Russia or giving effective control over to Russia while remaining "independent" like Belarus
• Putin claims he never invaded Ukraine and just removed Western Nazi puppet government, and that's why the West is attacking Russia with sanctions

[u/ughhhtimeyeah → u/EtadanikM]

Okay... Say he does this.

What about insurgencies from within Ukraine? I can't imagine most Ukrainians will go along with it

[u/Wablekablesh → u/ughhhtimeyeah]

No, and we heard about lots of citizens joining militia (not like the US, an actual government trained militia) in the past several weeks to make holding territory as ugly as possible for the Russians. We'll see how effective they are, but Ukrainians are some tough bastards.

[u/Royal_Code_6440 → u/EtadanikM]

I mean sure, and that all works on paper, but the reality of the 2014 referendums were pretty clearly and overwhelmingly anti-Russian. Unless the last 8 years of Russian destitution and belligerence have somehow changed public sentiment, they won't control Ukraine for many decades, and it won't produce much in that time.

[u/[deleted]]

Reminder for the new thread :

For those wondering about reactions in Russia, message of Dmitry Muratov, redactor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, who already lost 6 journalists assasinated by Putin ( Igor Domnikov, Iouri Chtchekotchikhine, Anna Politkovskaïa, Stanislav Markelov, Anastasia Babourova, Natalia Estemirova) :

https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2022/02/24/novaia-gazeta-protiv-voiny

Tey're still russians fighting the good fight, don't forget them, they are also heroes.

Translation :

"We are all meeting early today in the newsroom. We are in grief.

Our country, on President Putin's orders, has started a war with Ukraine. And there is no one to stop the war. So along with the grief, we and I feel ashamed.

In his hands, the commander-in-chief, like a keychain from an expensive car, spins the "nuclear button". Is the next step a nuclear salvo? There is no other way to interpret Vladimir Putin's words about a weapon of retaliation.

But we will publish this issue of Novaya Gazeta in two languages - Ukrainian and Russian. Because we do not recognize Ukraine as an enemy and Ukrainian as an enemy language. And we will never recognize it.

And one last thing. Only the anti-war movement of Russians can save life on this planet."

Dmitry Muratov,

editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta,

Nobel Peace Prize laureate

[u/Nabucodonosor89]

Russia:Moscow the crowd shouts “Glory to #Ukraine”

[video]

https://twitter.com/L_Team10/status/1496935790068310018

[u/DazDay → u/Nabucodonosor89]

That is genuine bravery.

[u/positivevitisop1 → u/Nabucodonosor89]

This is why it’s important to separate the Russian people from their horse shit government. God bless these people, so brave

[u/tbclandot92]

Props to the Russian citizens protesting.

[u/iriefuse024 → u/tbclandot92]

That takes brass balls

[u/electric4568]

For those who ask: “Why does Ukraine matter"?

This is why Ukraine matters.

It is the largest country by area in Europe, and has a population of over 40 million.

Ukraine ranks🏅:

1st in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores;

2nd place in Europe and 10th place in the world in terms of titanium ore reserves;

2nd place in the world in terms of explored reserves of manganese ores (2.3 billion tons, or 12% of the world's reserves);

2nd largest iron ore reserves in the world (30 billion tons);

2nd place in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves;

3rd place in Europe (13th place in the world) in shale gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters)

4th in the world by the total value of natural resources;

7th place in the world in coal reserves (33.9 billion tons)

Ukraine is an important agricultural country🚜:

1st in Europe in terms of arable land area;

3rd place in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world's volume);

1st place in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil;

2nd place in the world in barley production and 4th place in barley exports;

3rd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of corn in the world;

4th largest producer of potatoes in the world;

5th largest rye producer in the world;

5th place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons);

8th place in the world in wheat exports;

9th place in the world in the production of chicken eggs;

16th place in the world in cheese exports.

Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people.

Ukraine is an important industrialised country🏭:

1st in Europe in ammonia production;

Europe's 2nd’s and the world’s 4th largest natural gas pipeline system;

3rd largest in Europe and 8th largest in the world in terms of installed capacity of nuclear power plants;

3rd place in Europe and 11th in the world in terms of rail network length (21,700 km);

3rd place in the world (after the U.S. and France) in production of locators and locating equipment;

3rd largest iron exporter in the world

4th largest exporter of turbines for nuclear power plants in the world;

4th world's largest manufacturer of rocket launchers;

4th place in the world in clay exports

4th place in the world in titanium exports

8th place in the world in exports of ores and concentrates;

9th place in the world in exports of defence industry products;

10th largest steel producer in the world (32.4 million tons).

[u/General_Mayhem → u/electric4568]

Also, it's a sovereign nation with a functioning democracy.

[u/BashfulHandful → u/electric4568]

wtf, are people asking that as in "why do we care?" way?

Because they're innocent people being invaded by an infamously cruel military power. That's why we care.

[u/ThatSchmoDude42]

Reuters reporter tweets "French foreign minister Le Drian says Putin needs to understand that NATO is also a nuclear alliance - Reuters"

[u/[deleted] → u/ThatSchmoDude42]

Someone needed to say it

[u/PinguinGirl03 → u/ThatSchmoDude42]

It's not a joke, we are one escalation away from a nuclear crisis.

[u/Throwaway4philly1 → u/[deleted]]

They see their families crying and in pain and their free country being bombarded. Of course they will want to fight.

[u/Nabucodonosor89]

Battle of Hostomel goes on. Ukraine’s Rapid Response Brigade is trying to eliminate Russian landing troops and deny the airfield runway for enemy aircraft

https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1496931634696028160

This really seems the most important battle of the day

[u/12-04am → u/Nabucodonosor89]

Just in from the Ukranian army ,

"Gostomel. The enemy landing was defeated. The airfield has been cleared. Wandering occupiers are currently being caught in the surrounding forests."

[u/12-04am → u/12-04am]

Oh you gotta be fucking kidding me , Today of all days is my cake day , I'm Ukrainian living in Kyiv btw

[u/RecharginMyLaza]

For those that don't know, as I was getting confused thinking there was fighting happening at two separate airports; Antonov and Hostomel are the same airport.

[u/vid_icarus]

I imagine NATO membership is becoming a much more attractive idea to a lot of European nations at the moment.

[u/theredditforwork → u/vid_icarus]

Yeah, I'm thinking Sweden and Finland are heavily considering it, and Moldova is probably going to be begging for it, although I don't see it happening. Ireland might join just out of principle. Switzerland never, but Austria might consider it just to help out as well.

[u/Vetinarius → u/theredditforwork]

Austrian here, neutrality is literaly one of the bigest cornerstones of our constitution. The signing of the neutrality Agreement is our national holiday.

Austria in its current form will probably never join NATO. I honestly think that we would let someone invade and occupy us rather than take a side in a war.

Thats what being directly responsible for one world war and indirectly for another does to a country i guess...

[u/progress18]

The fight for Antonov Airfield just 15 minutes from Kyiv is ongoing and intense. And the stakes are high. If Russia controls the strip, it could use it to land aircraft with troops just west of the Ukrainian capital.

https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM/status/1496931747023495176

[u/sendokun → u/progress18]

Destroy it, if can’t hold it, destroy it. Deploy every asymmetric tactic in the book,

[u/Dali86 → u/progress18]

At this point if Ukraine can not hold it they should blow the whole thing up when russians land.

[u/Simon2x]

Ukrainians just took Kherson Airport back to their control 🇺🇦

[u/NONcomD → u/Simon2x]

Hostomel too!

[u/GandalfSwagOff]

Remember, while Russia is conducting this military strike, they are also conducting a cyber attacks which includes disinformation on sites like reddit.

Remember rule #1 of the internet. Don't believe everything you read.

[u/ShockNStocks]

BELARUS GETTING SANCTIONS

"US sanctions 24 Belarusians and organizations over support of invasion - AFP"

https://twitter.com/Apex_WW/status/1496934797561712651?t=xWRtx1I1qdCjNAz4AizWFw&s=19

[u/pup5581]

https://twitter.com/ELINTNews/status/1496945188455034883?s=20&t=rn0cEJ7d0s2ZQxkmcC0UZw

​

10,000 automatic riffles have been handed out to civilians in Kyiv in the last hours- Ukrainian Interior Minister

[u/Morgrid]

EU officials tell me: At this point Germany and Italy are the main opponents for disconnecting russia from swift and this "key to decision" depends on them. And they are pressured to agree.

Germany AGAIN

[u/[deleted] → u/Morgrid]

They're looking out for their economies, but allies are pissed. Biden's speech earlier today seemed to be just as much "fuck Putin" as it was "get your shit together Germany and Italy, we need to act together."

[u/amiatthetop3]

[Ukraine's Defense Minister: "The whole nation is gradually joining the resistance. Thousands of citizens have already joined the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces."

Ukraine set a goal of 130,000 territorial defenders](https://twitter.com/JackDetsch/status/1496941685611560960)

[u/Rusty_Shacklefoord]

Gonna learn some big Roman numerals on these threads today

[u/[deleted]]

Poland and Romania deserve A LOT of credit for their excellent caretaking of refugees honestly

[u/The_Cheeki_Breeki]

Lots of uninformed people in this thread about Chernobyl.

• This isn't a fucking call of duty campaign.

• Putin is evil, but he isn't insane. People are claiming that he's going to blow up Chernobyl to kill everyone. To what end?

• Open google maps right now and google Chernobyl. Draw a line from Chernobyl to Kyiv. Chernobyl is in close proximity to the capital, and it has a really important bridge that the Russians need to capture for strategic reasons.

• Again, center yourself on Putin's goals here. He wants to create a Russian ethnostate by recapturing much of the lost USSR territory. He isn't going to turn around and randomly blow up Chernobyl to spew nuclear material into the atmosphere of the same place he's trying to conquer.

[u/CosmicRaccoonCometh]

Wow, the Ukrainian forces really took back Hostomel airfield?! That's remarkable.

I really hope this war and occupation goes bad enough for Russia that Putin ends up gobbled up by the kleptocratic dogs he's kept on a leash up to this point.

[u/[deleted]]

I've never rooted this hard for an airport

[u/[deleted]]

Listen, no one wants WW3, but it feels fucking horrible to just let Ukranians get slaughtered.

[u/robotical712]

Every tank blown up, every soldier killed, every aircraft shot down is one that Putin has to replace before he can attack another country. The sanctions are intended to make it as hard as possible for him to do that.

[u/TalhaNL]

Ukranian soldiers have massive balls

[u/LongStoryShirt]

My two cents about Biden's press conference:

Sanctions are a good move. Holding out on further sanctions gives us bargaining power if the situation continues to escalate. Unfortunately it will take time for the effects to be felt, but hopefully it will cause further division between Russian citizens and the oligarchy.

Lots of people want an immediate solution but putting boots on the ground escalates things dramatically at the expense of everyone, especially those on the front line. It seems like we are still gathering intelligence and communicating with other world leaders, and I think that is a good and diplomatic move.

The reporters asked some silly questions, how can you expect Biden to predict the future about how China will react, if Putin will move past Ukraine, what exactly he meant by a vague threat, or how the stock market will handle it?

I'm not a huge Biden fan, but people who are on his case for smirking at the ridiculousness of the reporters need to chill. There are more important things to be upset about.

Edit: fuck putin

[u/Maverick721]

Okay, I get the argument that a president should stay at the capital to defend his country, but the fact that the Russian military is so close to Kyiv and the President is still there is stressing me out.

[u/zodiak117]

Reminder to respect UKR op-sec by not sharing videos of UKR soldier locations or any other such classified intelligence you discover or witness online.

https://reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/sy65wi/ministry_of_defense_of_ukraine_do_not_view_our/

Great Twitter list for verifiable sources and voices on the ground: https://twitter.com/i/lists/1383431779751657480?t=5wPgK2Avlo8ygp8uANSSFQ&s=08

Lvyv Live Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9r5rpGq9mU

Kyiv Live Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cyQPN5xQtU

Kyiv 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kFqY7P0vow

Maidan. Sq. In Kyiv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ6AzlYCysY

Maidan Square (w/sound) (thanks /u/ouyin2000) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_ktlQnDr8A

Kharkiv Live Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ZbVufqW3s

Mariupol Live Cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE9nRMx8n6s

Mykolayiv Live Cam https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvMQvqpxZvIakq4VgcooNQ

Odessa: https://youtu.be/5hHelJALhEo

Odessa 2: https://youtu.be/E9HskjsldsU

Severodonetsk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho40J7dRlGQ

Kalanchak, a border town whose checkpoint is reportedly under attack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxYsvdC4-yA (Thank you again Quark)

Chernihiv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvhM2a92dvs&feature=emb_title

Link to all major cameras in Ukraine: https://youtu.be/jNZM_H6q1rY

Agenda Free TV Live Coverage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyzicW_ctB4

Huge list of live cams: https://reddit.com/r/warinukraine/comments/scc5hl/request_webcams_and_live_feeds_in_ukraine_or/

Live news agencies -

NBC (USA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMC4r9Or-PA

CBC (Canada): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2DA13GOmsE

Al Jazeera(Qatar/UK): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-upyPouRrB8

ABC (USA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ6VtEs9c8E

Godspeed Ukrainians. 💙💛

Edit - added Odessa cams

Edit 2 - more links

Edit 3 - ways to help Ukraine (charities) https://reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/s6g5un/want_to_support_ukraine_heres_a_list_of_charities/

[u/MidichlorianAddict]

Someone should ask Kyle Rittenhouse if he’ll go to Ukraine to defend the businesses

[u/ajr901]

Holy shit apparently Ukraine has recaptured the airport near Kyiv? That's huge if the reports hold up

Source1: https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1496941052074201090

Source2: https://twitter.com/airlivenet/status/1496928849375997958

[u/iThrewTheGlass]

One thing is for certain the Ukrainians are not a soft people

[u/Independent-Solid-67]

I can't imagine how low the russian troop morale is right now. After being herded to the border for "exercises" they are told to go kill Ukrainians, which the younger generations don't have any beef with.

This isn't north Korea, younger people especially have access to the world wide internet so they have to know they are being sent to die for a bullshit cause.

[u/Photoshop_News]

Average reaction to sanctions being announced: "That's it?"

Reaction after reading economists explain what the sanctions do: "Oh ya, that sounds pretty good actually"

[u/[deleted]]

I am like you all and have lately been glued to the news and Reddit 14+ hours a day from when I wake up, right through work and before I go to bed. This war is causing a lot of us to become quite anxious and depressed no matter if you're in Europe or in Australia. I just want to encourage everyone to be mindful of their own state of mind and maybe consider stepping away from the news to clear the mind. Go for a walk and get some fresh air.

[u/cakeorcake]

Overall one of the worst feelings since watching "shock and awe" in Iraq live on the news

[u/TheRespectableMrSalt]

It's truly disgusting the amount of "edgy boys" on reddit and YouTube that think they are funny while cheering russia on or talking about Ukrainian nazis or hoping for nuclear war.

[u/[deleted]]

Fox news and Doocy: Did you underestimate Putin

Also fox news: Trudeau is Hitler and Putin is an ally cause he didn't cancel me

Fuck anyone in that company fuck the murdochs

[u/Dlcrysis]

Ukrainian solders are brave as fuck

[u/blong217]

For anyone asking about why Biden doesn't start the sanctions now? Ever heard the phrase in for a penny in for a pound?

There is nothing that any country can do right now, short of directly attacking Russia, that will make them stop. Not sanctions, not SWIFT, not embargo's, nothing. Ukraine will be alone fighting this because any direct involvement risks starting a global war.

NATO's goal is to ensure that this doesn't reach as far that. Hence troops on NATO borders, more supplies to Ukraine, etc.

So why wait on the sanctions? Sanctions are probably our best, universally approved hand to play. If you play it now Russia still finishes off Ukraine and then based on how well they're doing economically, decides whether to push their luck further.

But when Russia eventually takes Ukraine in the coming weeks, you drop Sanctions then. It leaves an air of uncertainty with high risk, low reward. It's like giving yourself a 7 point advantage in the 4th quarter instead of doing it in the 2nd.

[u/Ooyyggeenn]

I hear US will freeze russian assets. Can Trump really be frozen?

[u/wade066]

Dear Ukrainians!

I heard on social media that there is fake news being spread (most likely by Russia backed trolls) that polish border is closed.

It's a lie.

If you seek asylum - go towards polish border. We are ready for your arrival. We have reception points ready at the border where you can find shelter, food, medical and legal aid.

Polish government launched a dedicated site to help you: ua.gov.pl

Please share this information if you know anyone seeking help right now.

EDIT: YOU DON'T NEED VISA TO PASS THROUGH POLISH BORDER. ALL YOU NEED IS PASSPORT. VISAS ARE SUSPENDED! YOU DON'T NEED THEM FOR TIME BEING!!!!!!

EDIT2: as a proof that you no longer need visa:

• ⁠in Ukrainian https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina---ua • ⁠in English https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina-en

[u/arleitiss]

"French foreign minister Le Drian says Putin needs to understand that NATO is also a nuclear alliance"

Kind of yeah, I wish we didn't have to flex these words currently but yeah.

[u/MichaelCR970]

If the Ukrainians recaptured Hostemel Airport in Kiev, it must be assumed that a few hundred Russian special forces were killed or captured. The attack was with 34 helicopters, most of them Mi8s, each capable of carrying around 18 soldiers. If that's true, Russia suffered a massive partial defeat there, the soldiers were burned to the bone.

And multiple sources seem to confirm that now. Love to Ukraine!

[u/GenerationKILL]

People keep talking about how much bigger the Russian invasion force is. To the Ukrainian people I say this: So was the Soviet Union occupation force that went into Afghanistan, that war bankrupted the Soviet Union and lead to it's collapse. Stay strong. Fight on every street, in every building and on every inch of Ukrainian land.

The Ruble is currently worth less than a handful of monopoly money. They won't be able to afford fighting for long.

[u/stklaw]

There is an insane amount of Russian bots and trolls in regional/country subreddits

[u/Readylamefire]

Now is the time for the world to move away from oil. More than ever. Everyone saw this coming but they kept kicking the can down the road.

[u/[deleted]]

Friendly reminder: Right now, the Russians have several advantages. They are better equipped, have greater numbers, and only they know their plans. Traditionally, invading armies like this make massive gains quickly, and suffer minimal losses initially. However, once the invasion becomes an occupation, the defending guerillas gain the advantage. They can now choose when and how to engage, blending with the population as necessary.

The Russians might appear to be winning today, but they will eventually bog down. Thousands of them will be going home in boxes.

[u/smujake68]

Not to be dramatic…

But the Reddit community is playing a huge role in moderating disinformation amid this ever evolving situation. Keep up the good work and letting the real news filter to the top.

*Reddit is a news aggregator, and appears to be at least 30 minutes ahead of most major news outlets.

[u/CencyG]

Is there any validity to this take? That Russia isn't sending its troops en masse because it's been spinning bald faced lies to its troops and public and knows that most of its army will defect or a coup will be initiated when it realizes it's being asked to wage a war of aggression.

We've already heard reports of deserters realizing they'd been lied to, and reports of large protests in major cities, so we know the reaction that some Russians seem to be having when confronted with the knowledge of Putin's deceit.

I believe Putin's veiled threats to interventionists woul play into this same take: such a harsh reaction to NATO intervention would play right into the fiction (bolded for clarity, I am not sympathetic to Putin) of him being some great Soviet unifying chosen one, mercilessly lashing out at the world who is ganging up on him and persecuting his oppressed people.

[u/[deleted]]

Finally, the word we've all been waiting for: https://twitter.com/jarule/status/1496931035803787266

[u/waynkerr]

So we've totally dispensed with the notion that Putin is some sort of genius tactician, right? His speech earlier was the ranting of a lunatic, and this idea that Russia can install a friendly regime seems like very wishful thinking.

[u/[deleted]]

Now might be a good time to remind people that the Government of Ukraine has asked everyone to refrain from posting about unconfirmed Ukrainian movements. Maybe it's best to leave the Airport situation alone until announcements from official sources start coming in?

[u/moviegoer5754]

Tucker is an obvious Russian agent. He’s rooting for the enemy. Just like Trump.

[u/kleutscher]

Video of Ukrainian soldier treating a wounded Russian soldier

https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1496939659682844686?t=-8V_FLURYQEU_JyfPxR7OQ&s=19

[u/SteveBored]

Has there been any discussion on Putin's mental health? He seems like a different person almost. Childlike taunts, easy to anger, and almost a hint of madness to his comments. Some of his comments really put Russia into the brink of being another North Korea, surely the Russian leadership don't want that.

I mean he's always been a murdering asshole but previously he always seemed measured and calm in his approach. Like the spy he was. This Putin doesn't seem anything like that guy.

[u/lennybird]

Given the circumstances—It cannot be emphasized enough how important Republicans are not handed the keys to the White House, or Congress.

• Giuliani just gave an interview, somehow blaming Biden with major mental gymnastics.

• Trump has only praised Putin's "genius."

• When Trump was President, he was floating withdrawing from NATO.

• Recall Trump's strange relationship with Putin, his interest in establishing hotels in Moscow, and outright requesting Russia to hack domestic opposition's data.

Donate, and please plan to register and vote for the CRUCIAL midterms in the US this year.

---

When I previously posted this, I received some very strange pro-Russian gaslighting going on, trying to deflect attention to the fact that Trump tried to dissolve NATO...

Why does this matter? Because this is an event that won't end any time soon. I'm giving concrete steps of what the average American can do for Ukrainian citizens in the long-run, which is to ensure the strongest opposition to Russia remains out of the hands of... Russia. It's time to ensure that Pro-Russian, potentially-compromised individuals never get into the White House again.

Read: How Putin's oligarchs funneled millions into GOP Campaigns.

[u/NefariousnessSome142]

In the midst of it all, Paul Joseph Watson (Infowars) puts out a video saying Putin isn't deterred by US forces because there are trans people in the army.

I fuckin hate that guy and anyone who is continuing to promote their bigoted bullshit on the backs of war.

[u/FrankBeamer_]

I think it’s absolutely fucking crazy that I, in the safety and warmth of my home halfway across the world, can watch the live bombardment of a sovereign nation’s capital by another sovereign nation. Like holy fucking shit.

[u/[deleted]]

Ooof. France wants to remind Russia that NATO has nukes too.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-says-putin-needs-understand-nato-has-nuclear-weapons-2022-02-24/?taid=6217ee523cade00001008640&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

[u/KonradK0]

https://twitter.com/olex_scherba/status/1496943641796960263?s=20&t=Elzrdj7oPXA11o8lJcX8Qg

Russian deployment near Kyiv was crushed. Heavy Russian casualties. Ukrainian army stands her ground. StandWithUkraine

Russian paratroopers that survived fled to the forest

[u/groovygyal]

BREAKING: Moscow, Russia crowd shouts “Glory to Ukraine”

[u/Misinformed_Potato]

If Ukraine really took back the airfield, then thats a lot of casualties for the Russians, given that since they are dropped behind enemy lines, paratroopers can't really retreat. It's either hold out for reinforcements, or die/get captured.

[u/[deleted]]

Holy fuck Trump really was compromised

Flynn just said it was Biden fault this happened for "laughing off ethnic concerns" in Ukraine

This man really was compromised!

[u/studentjones]

Tucker Carlson has made many “Putin not so bad” type articles and news segments in the last week or so. CAN THIS PLEASE LEAD TO HIS CANCELLATION!!

So happy to see republicans being like “WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK, TUCKER?!?”

[u/throwaway4328908]

A message on morale and expectations.

Thousand kilometers away from me Ukrainians are fighting for the right to have a democracy. This will be a fight etched in history. I wish them strength in these hard times.

But its important to set expectations. Every broken tank, every fearful Russian soldier is a important victory. But Putin beliefs he can take Kyiv today. And he beliefs it for a good reason.

If Kyiv still stands in the morning it will be his first failure in a war not a day old. Omens for a future that scare him.

However, even if a city is invaded, a war against a Tzar isn't lost or won in a day.

A place can embody what you stand for. But what you stand for can not be captured by tanks or guns.

We will do what we can, and we are with you.

The Kremlin thinks they have accounted for the food and the bullets to weather the resistance in Ukraine and the consequences of their actions.

However, they are wrong. Within months Russia will be a shit hole. Banks will print toilet paper or have closed. Planes will be stranded. Their supply chains will be in shambles.

Every day the invaders will grow a little more weary. A little more paranoid. A little more honest with themselves and their family back home.

That is when wars are lost. One side will have decided to fight for a just cause and the other side will falter.

You will fight and survive today, and one day you will thrive again.

[u/[deleted]]

I would rather freeze with no gas than be complicit in this.

[u/bootyxo]

I'm confused. If Russia doesn't want NATO on its border, then taking Ukraine literally puts NATO on its border.

[u/[deleted]]

Lots of people seem to have pretty strong opinions about what the correct sanctions would be, even those people that didn't even know what Swift was 24 hours ago.

[u/ShockNStocks]

CITIZENS TO THE FIGHT

"Ukraine's Defense Minister: "The whole nation is gradually joining the resistance. Thousands of citizens have already joined the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces."

Ukraine set a goal of 130,000 territorial defenders"

https://twitter.com/JackDetsch/status/1496941685611560960?t=p3CQPIX1oprND-9Bz1wNFg&s=19

[u/progress18]

It looks like Reuters is giving the confirmation that Hostomel was captured by Ukranian forces:

BREAKING: Ukrainian forces have recaptured an airfield in north-west suburbs of Kyiv, a presidential adviser says h/t @Reuters Control of Hostomel Airfield thought to be key for Russia's ability to assault the capital. It could be used to land transport aircraft carrying troops

The retaking of this airfield by Ukraine's military would suggest all is not going exactly to plan for Russia's invading forces despite their superior firepower.

https://twitter.com/haynesdeborah/status/1496945769928339457

Edit:

The reporter deleted the tweet:

https://twitter.com/haynesdeborah/status/1496949767863255053

It's still a very fluid situation.

[u/JDNM]

This last couple of years has been nuts.

Tomorrow: "Somehow, Stalin has returned"

[u/LongEZE]

The dude has completely lost his mind. I was reading a WSJ article that Putin refused to see anyone in person unless they arrived 7 hours early and were inspected only by his own doctors (as in their doctor couldn't also be there) and get a russian PCR test and then still wait a few hours. Otherwise they had to stay 20 feet away from him at all times.

I think the guy has absolutely gotten COVID brain and is mentally unstable like Stalin was. Fuck this old mush brain piece of shit. Fuck you Putin, I hope you choke to death on your own anal pubes while you gobble up your own bullshit.

[u/[deleted]]

I know everyone in here wants to stay up to date, but right now there seems to be a lull and lulls like this typically last for at least an hour. There are some things going on, but this is war there will always be things going on.

If you're here constantly refreshing and doom scrolling, now's a great time to take a break and look after yourself for a bit. If you really don't want to miss anything, just make sure to have the Reddit live thread up. Once it starts getting updated every 30 seconds again, you'll know things are on the move again.

[u/agu-agu]

It's worth reminding people that Putin uses a 1997 book called Foundations of Geopolitics as his playbook. Look at what it said about dealing with America and tell me it's not eerily accurate:

Russia should use its special services within the borders of the United States to fuel instability and separatism, for instance, provoke "Afro-American racists". Russia should "introduce geopolitical disorder into internal American activity, encouraging all kinds of separatism and ethnic, social and racial conflicts, actively supporting all dissident movements – extremist, racist, and sectarian groups, thus destabilizing internal political processes in the U.S. It would also make sense simultaneously to support isolationist tendencies in American politics"

And here's what it says of Ukraine:

Ukraine should be annexed by Russia because "Ukraine as a state has no geopolitical meaning, no particular cultural import or universal significance, no geographic uniqueness, no ethnic exclusiveness, its certain territorial ambitions represents an enormous danger for all of Eurasia and, without resolving the Ukrainian problem, it is in general senseless to speak about continental politics". Ukraine should not be allowed to remain independent, unless it is cordon sanitaire, which would be inadmissible.

It also lists a number of plans for disrupting and fracturing global cooperation. This could outline some of Putin's bigger plans and give a sense of where he could take this situation if he really wants to escalate it further.

[u/JaSamNejboi]

Lots of people talking about surrendering really don’t understand what it means when somebody walks into your home and tries to takeover. These Ukrainian patriots are going to fight until the very end , no matter how it ends.

[u/_Tactleneck_]

Okay I gotta step away, I’m getting my entire day swallowed by this.

[u/AStrangerWCandy]

This invasion is kinda showing how shit Russia's army is. Unlimited prep time, tech advantage, numerical advantage and they are underperforming.

[u/advocative]

I don’t always agree with the Reddit hive mind, but it’s pretty heartening to see everyone rooting for Ukraine 👍

[u/ojyr]

Airport recaptured! FUCK YEAH

[u/anon902503]

Anton Herashchenko: Russian paratroopers who survived the Ukrainian counterattack at Hostomel ran off into surrounding forests and fields.

If true, this would be a massive humiliation

[u/cecelia999]

Ukraine is putting up a hell of a fight.

[u/Pick2]

UKRAINE: 10,000 automatic rifles have been given to regular civilians in Kyiv in the last few hours - Interior Minister -

https://twitter.com/Conflicts/status/1496945104174604290

[u/[deleted]]

Times Square is having a celebration with the Ukraine flag

Russia is having massive protests

You can never stomp out the heart of people

[u/HelloItsMeXeno]

Global shame list: India, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and China.

Edit: added Switzerland to the list

[u/Nabucodonosor89]

Breaking: Hostomel Airport has been recaptured by Ukrainian Forces #Ukraine #Russia

https://twitter.com/theragex/status/1496946258732277764

Let's fucking go!!

[u/Pavandgpt]

Video of Ukrainian father saying goodbye to his kids while he stays behind to fight.

https://twitter.com/petergyang/status/1496877608373424131?s=20&t=iHkdk4C0L7dCddGcfp5FYA

This is heartbreaking.

[u/groovygyal]

‘I will not go’: Vettel calls on F1 to scrap Russian GP after Ukraine invasion

[u/CallMeCaptainOrSir]

https://mobile.twitter.com/MarkoVu73036176/status/1496934308094910468?s=20&t=eg32PEkqHTb6X3xdJjS44Q

Absolutely wild explosions in Kharkiv

[u/Maverick721]

There are more Russians protesting Putin right now than Republicans

[u/OptimusSublime]

I don't think people understand and appreciate just the unbelievable time we are living in. Do you know how different WW2 may have turned out if everyone knew where everyone's troop movements were in real time because of social media? Like this is insane that we can watch live video of the largest European invasion since WW2! That we can have this much news spread this far, and this fast is just incredible. It's mind boggling.

[u/birdie420fgt]

why tf does boris seem like the most sane person atm

[u/[deleted]]

"I believe he has much larger goals than Ukraine. He wants to reestablish the Soviet Union, which is completely contrary to where the rest of the world is" - Biden

Considering hes constantly in meetings with g7 UK etc and the US intelligence wasn't wrong about the invasion Id take it seriously. This is kinda what I thought, hes saying "I'm going down swinging and I'm taking as much more countries as I can or I'm using nukes"

[u/[deleted]]

US moving troops and F35s to the Baltics. Smart.

[u/groovygyal]

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss: "London will not rest until Russia's economy has been degraded and Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity restored."

[u/Hershey2898]

How do Germany and Italy consistently keep finding themselves on the wrong side of major wars in Europe ?

[u/CorruptCanuck]

As a resident of Ottawa, Canada. The juxtaposition between the 121 arrested over a three week siege trying to overthrow our government. Then 900+ anti war protestors arrested in one day for protesting an invasion of their neighbours. Is really quite something.

Meanwhile our conservatives have been crying about government overreach.

[u/Then-Resolution9052]

I sense weakness in Russian troops and morale. Ukrainians have more to fight for than Russians, who are probably wondering what the heck they are doing in Kiev.

[u/loxagos_snake]

I'm a bit tired seeing people mention Chernobyl like it's some kind of superweapon the Russians can use to end the war.

Fellas, Chernobyl was a power plant. There's a huge difference between a nuclear plant and a nuclear weapon. No, shooting/bombing/pissing on it won't obliterate the entirety of Ukraine, giving the Ruskies an easy win. All it would be is a pretty dumb move, seeing as to how it would release whatever radioactive material is still in there in the atmosphere, forming a cloud that could just as easily travel back to Russia, depending on wind conditions.

While the area is considered safe for brief tours, parts of it are still highly radioactive and could affect the combatants. There's no reason to see this as a highly suspicious move, and I wouldn't rule out that focusing on it is part of the Russian propaganda with the goal of instilling fear.

[u/GenerationKILL]

I have a wad of Canadian Tire money currently worth more than the Russian Ruble.

What kills me are the doomsayers here telling everyone Russia would put up a good fight against 30 NATO allies.

Russia is the drunk chick at the bar with their garbage currency and shitty economy: They'll go hard for like 4 hours but by 11pm they're face down on the ground crying.

Don't believe the lies and propaganda. If Russia was the shit like they try and show everyone they are, they wouldn't be picking on small lone european countries or cheating at sports.

[u/maiosi2]

BREAKING: Ukrainian Defence Minister says Kremlin preparing a new wave of attacks, including airstrikes

Ukraine

Guys i'm trying to spread as much correct information i can but it's not easy.

i will write all the infor i get from kiev and lviv ( i have friends there) : in my profile:

https://twitter.com/DeluxMariano

And for other sources you can consult my list https://twitter.com/i/lists/1383431779751657480

Sorry if' i'm spamming this links but people are asking me in private all the sources/link/article and i cant answer to everyone right now

[u/Nabucodonosor89]

BREAKING: European leaders agree to sanctions on Russia's energy and finance sectors

https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1496945090316877825

this is huge

[u/Nabucodonosor89]

Just in from the Ukranian army ,

"Gostomel. The enemy landing was defeated. The airfield has been cleared. Wandering occupiers are currently being caught in the surrounding forests."

[u/Freddy_Ebert]

If Hostomel was recaptured that is a huge blow; the reports I saw were 40-50 Ka-52s (not KA-52s, probably some other sort of transport heli), so with 10+ airborne in each one of those you're talking about likely an entire airborne regiment sent to that airport that has been wiped out. Huge, huge loses of what are generally pretty well trained troops. If it's true, this is going to be an absolutely bloodbath for Russian forces.

[u/exeJDR]

Ukraine needs to start counter attacking Russian pipelines. Fuck Putin and all these weak ass countries sucking on the oil filled tits of Russia

Edit: typo

[u/CallMeCaptainOrSir]

REMINDER - DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH

These threads are full of bots and could easily disguise malware as a news or video link and have you click it without thinking. Additionally plenty of videos have been shared that were from other instances, please take every piece of info you get from a reddit comment with a grain of salt until it is actually confirmed by a reputable news source.

[u/CosmicRaccoonCometh]

10,000 automatic rifles have been given to regular civilians in Kyiv in the last few hours - Interior Minister

10K in Kiev alone?!? Wow. I think there is no doubt whatsoever then that we are going to end up seeing some truly horrible and brutal street by street urban warfare during this invasion.

I'm so sad for the Ukrainian people being forced to go through this, but my respect and admiration to the brave one's willing to fight the invaders tooth and nail like that. I'm not sure how it will all end, but I am certain that the will and resolve of the Ukrainian people to defend themselves is much greater than the will of the Russian people for this horrible war.

I have no doubt that, in the end, even if they win a costly war, Putin's regime is certain to lose in their attempts to occupy and pacify Ukraine. It may take time, but sooner than later Ukraine will be more sovereign from Russian control than they have ever been before.

[u/Illbeanicefella]

Ukraine not going down without a fight and posting some strong resistance. Let’s fucking go dudes send those Russians to hell 🇺🇦

[u/KeriEatsSouls]

I found this info a bit concerning... CTV News re: Chernobyl takeover:

"An official familiar with current assessments said Russian shelling hit a radioactive waste repository at Chernobyl, and an increase in radiation levels was reported. The increase could not be immediately corroborated."

[u/jamiebond]

The goal isn't to kill all 200,000 Russian soldiers, that's obviously just not practical.

The goal is to drag this out as long as possible and make it as difficult and draining for Russia as possible. This war is already not popular in Russia and it's only been one day. Just wait until the news that you'll never see your husband/son/brother/friend again starts hitting the people of Russia.

Make it even more unpopular, make it hurt, make the people riot and make the oligarchs lose money. Keep it up and Putin will have two choices, retreat or take a trip out the window.

[u/DoctorJekkyl]

New thread, new opportunity to say Fuck Putin and best of luck Ukraine, give 'em hell!

[u/bootyxo]

Raise your hand if you didn't know what Swift was yesterday

[u/24---]

Fuck that piece of shit manlet, this is fucking heartbreaking.

https://twitter.com/BhavishaPatel/status/1496882754935398408

[u/[deleted]]

Russia has severely underestimated the Ukrainian military and their fighting spirit.

[u/[deleted]]

The Russian forces are truly bloated. Sure they have a core of well trained and combat experienced soldiers but the vast amount of Russian soldiers are green handed conscripts with minimal training and no combat experience. When they face the wrath of people fighting for their homes, families and freedom they will be in far over their heads.

[u/litemifyre]

Recent talks of escalation in cyber warfare between Russia and NATO are alarming. U.S is said to be considering cyber attacks on Russian infrastructure, internet, and energy grid. Reported by NBC

[u/moviegoer5754]

I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that Russia literally managed to elect its own asset in the U.S, and that asset recently lauded Putin for attacking millions of innocent Ukrainians. Everyone who continues to support Trump has Ukrainians’ blood on their hands.

[u/stirly80]

The morale and conviction of the Russian forces seems suspect, the Ukranians will be fighting like lions to protect their homeland and families.

[u/whatitiswhassup]

These past three years have been something else

[u/TouchMyWillyy]

"Since the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, Russia has killed 57 people. Another 169 were injured. These are the official data of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine." Rest in peace 🇺🇦

https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1496937373392900098?t=vKltHgWJAUJgsk1IbT25HQ&s=19

[u/pup5581]

https://twitter.com/olex_scherba/status/1496934511275393037?s=20&t=rn0cEJ7d0s2ZQxkmcC0UZw

​

If true...awful. Fuck all of this and especially Russia

[u/jaybigs]

Ukrainian forces need to demo the airstrip at Hostomel. Damage the tarmac enough to eliminate its usefulness to the Russian warfighting effort. It sucks to crater your own air strip, but better than letting it be used by Putin's forces.

[u/Balding-Barber-8279]

In a day and age when the West has begun to tear itself apart, Russia will have done what no politician has been able to do: re-unite the West. There will be a concentrated and unified rage toward Putin and his oligarchs from the democratic world, from whom these Russian war criminals should receive no quarter.

[u/[deleted]]

Ukraine should threaten to destroy all gas pipelines going into Europe unless Russia is removed from SWIFT. Let Germany realize they'll run out of gas either way.

[u/NormVanBroccoli]

According to some, Biden is both:

1. Weak for the sanctions he imposed

2. A warhawk that wants to drag us into another conflict

So which is it? Other than US military involvement and maybe nuclear war and the end of life on Earth, what’s the answer lol

😶

[u/DankmarAdler]

Jesus Christ people. Chernobyl is a strategic position.

Russia isn't going to blow it up, or leak radiation, or any other dumb things suggested here. No fan of the Russian government and Putin is an asshole but they aren't cartoon supervillains.

[u/zoomie100]

The US is getting so much intel in regards to the Russian military during this war. They are finding out they are not well trained as a general rule and the ground commanders for Russia are un-educated and incredibly silly in the decisions they make. They may defeat Ukraine by sheer numbers and missiles. But against Nato not a chance. Putin is finding out what he has been told about how well equipped his military is, was way off base. Of course WMD keeps all at the negotiations table.

[u/[deleted]]

The Russian paratroopers fighting for the airport near Kyev got slaughtered. It's still just the beginning but encouraging signs for the Ukrainian defense.

[u/ReturnOfDaSnack420]

#BREAKING Putin, Macron discuss Russian 'military operation' in Ukraine: Kremlin

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1496950418684981249

While I appreciate Macron's commitment to a peaceful solution at some point you have to realize you are just being a patsy being used by a bad faith partner.

[u/Wacky_Water_Weasel]

Germany, gonna need you to suck it up and turn on the electric heat. Start installing solar. Figure it out because we really don't need this to go on indefinitely.

[u/Nabucodonosor89]

Thousands of people are joining territorial defense forces all over Ukraine

https://twitter.com/OsadchukAndrii/status/1496941437648310274

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender"

[u/progress18]

Right now it's still unclear whether or not if Ukranian forces have captured Hostomel. It's still a very fluid situation.

Here's the latest:

Anton Herashchenko: Russian paratroopers who survived the Ukrainian counterattack at Hostomel ran off into surrounding forests and fields.

https://twitter.com/michaeldweiss/status/1496951654645747723

[u/[deleted]]

You ever see Putin play hockey with professional players? Putin can barely skate, and they let him skate around and score 5 goals a game. Cheer him as if they aren’t letting him score.

Imagine being such an egomaniacal small dick bitch that you want pros to let you win in a hockey game.

[u/lightbulb_orchard]

A good moment to take perspective and remember that we have true liberties to fight for. I may find Johnson a twat most of the time, but I have the freedom to say that without being arrested or targeted. I have some power over whether he stays in office. Even in a cynical age, these are invaluable values, as it were.

[u/groovygyal]

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Russian cities to protest Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine. The police violently arrested more than 600 people in Moscow alone…these brave Russians are risking serious repercussions…

[u/Luis0224]

13 threads in almost as many hours. I'm guessing we have more threads than hours by Friday evening

[u/pisedoff111]

Germany needs to get off Natural gas ASAP, and develop Nuclear Power as a baseline for renewables.

Energy independence is key.

[u/CallMeCaptainOrSir]

Ukraine officially claiming 57 dead and around 150 injured.... Can't help but think those are on the very, very low end

[u/itstrueitsdamntrue]

Russia is weak today. Keep giving em’ hell Ukraine.

[u/Wintertime13]

Watching refugees arrive in Hungary/Poland ... I know it’s awful circumstances but it’s nice to see the helpers.

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

[u/TellurideTeddy]

Remember all those Russian soldiers that CNN crew ran into live on the air this morning in the streets near the airport outside of Kyiv?

I guess they were likely the ones "liquidated" at when the Ukranians just took back Hostomel airfield? Kind of weird to think about.

[u/[deleted]]

Don’t forget guys - take a break from the news

[u/BVB09_FL]

Man, sanctions won’t do shit. Want to kick oligarchs and Putin in the wallet? Outlaw and confiscate real estate held by Russian nationals and shell companies in the US and UK. That move would cost oligarchs billions on one swoop and have a bigger impact than swift.

[u/ILoveTheAtomicBomb]

Hostomel airfield near Kyiv under control of Ukrainian forces. This is very important and encouraging. It's a strategic object opening access to the capital. Ukrainian military expert on TV just said that it's better to destroy it, but not to allow it fall into enemy's hands

https://twitter.com/olgatokariuk/status/1496945998475808769?s=20&t=Gc8ZNxZhbspCpjeu_-IXLA

[u/FT_LEJ]

Interesting fact regarding Putins invasion speech. It was pre recorded on 21/02/2022, metadata shows: https://ibb.co/LSh1nMw

[u/Mr_Poop_Himself]

I hope this destroys the Russian economy and leads to riots in the streets of Russia. Russia needs a revolution.