Discussion on Ukraine situation 2022

[vetrade]

Go Norway

Russian oligarch Strzhalkovsky's super yacht stuck in Norway

The Ragnar is owned by Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, who has been linked to Vladimir Putin.

www.bbc.com

Yes, Go Norway! It's an ugly boat though - from the front it looks like that re-fitted ice-breaker Kerry Packer used to get around on

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes, Go Norway! It's an ugly boat though - from the front it looks like that re-fitted ice-breaker Kerry Packer used to get around on

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"Why should we help them?" Holmlund Oil Service's general manager, Sven Holmlund, told NRK.​

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"They can row home. Or use a sail."​

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[PineappleSkip]

The IMF has blogged some early commentary about likely the economic impact of the Ukraine war across the regions of the world. Their global bottom line is reduced growth and price inflation pressures, with variations in impacts by region.

Also this article on Russia's Naval blockade of wheat exports from Ukraine via the black sea. Flag of convenience no guarantee.

Noriel Arauz, the administrator for the [Panamanian Maritime] authority, said three Panamanian-flagged ships have come under Russian fire since the invasion of Ukraine started. One of the ships sank and two others were damaged...

 

[VPS]

This thread and article may be interesting for some. Planes leaving Moscow

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504374496358187014

The kid tracking the Oligarch's jets

Meet the American teen tracking Russian oligarchs' jets

"It would be pretty cool to see one of their planes seized," said 19-year-old Jack Sweeney of his plane-tracking algorithm.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[drron]

Problems in the corporate jet market.

Russia sanctions pierce luxury jet world's ultra-private bubble

The gleaming, late-model European jet for sale was a rarity in the hot market for second-hand corporate aircraft.

www.reuters.com

And Putin obviously has problems. A long way for reinforcements to come.

Japan spots four Russian amphibious transports sailing from Far East

Japan's military said on Thursday that it had spotted four large Russian amphibious warfare ships sailing close to its islands as they traveled west, possibly towards Europe.

www.reuters.com

And Europe in for some financial pain.

 

[Must...Fly!]

A long way for reinforcements to come.

Montreux convention in effect through the Dardanelles though, assuming Turkey is true to its word and monitoring passages. Perhaps they've got more stuck there than they anticipated.

 

[tgh]

Thought for the day :

 

[Must...Fly!]

These memes stemming from the computers of people thousands of kilometres away from Ukraine and Russia really do a disservice to developing a full understanding of the region. In no way is what Russia has done is right, but you can't ignore the issues in Donbas which have been present for years. As often (but not always) the case, the Russian Federation picks the wrong way to deal with a real problem

 

[Scr77]

These memes stemming from the computers of people thousands of kilometres away from Ukraine and Russia really do a disservice to developing a full understanding of the region. In no way is what Russia has done is right, but you can't ignore the issues in Donbas which have been present for years. As often (but not always) the case, the Russian Federation picks the wrong way to deal with a real problem

I don’t pretend to understand Donbas, but nothing can justify what Putin is doing. I’m sadden that your post suggests there may be a grey area.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I don’t pretend to understand Donbas, but nothing can justify what Putin is doing. I’m sadden that your post suggests there may be a grey area.

There is a legitimate claim to security concerns in the Donbas region. Very likely both sides have understandable and very real gripes.

As per my post, nothing excuses this all out invasion which was clearly designed with swift regime change in mind, and the likely re-installation of Yanukovych as puppet leader. It has been a disastrous military and political campaign since the beginning.

 

[drron]

There is a legitimate claim to security concerns in the Donbas region. Very likely both sides have understandable and very real gripes.

As per my post, nothing excuses this all out invasion which was clearly designed with swift regime change in mind, and the likely re-installation of Yanukovych as puppet leader. It has been a disastrous military and political campaign since the beginning.

Though the takeover of the Crimea was at the same time as the beginning of the dispute in Donbas and it obviously had the full backing of the Russians. the shooting down of MH 17 offered proof that the Russians were definitely involved then. They were responsible for the security concerns in Donbas and kept fueling them.
So why wait until 2022 to then invade Ukraine? I have my ideas.

 

[Must...Fly!]

There shouldn't be any debate that Russia has been deeply involved with events in the breakaway regions since 2014.

Or you could be like the Americans I just overheard here in Norway, who are of the opinion Russia is justified in its actions because Ukraine was about to put nuclear weapons on the Russian border, under the instruction of President Zelesnky.....

 

[vetrade]

So, I take it that drugs are legal in Norway........................

 

[Must...Fly!]

So, I take it that drugs are legal in Norway........................

To be fair they could at least have a point worth discussing, if Ukraine actually had nuclear weapons...

 

[drron]

Zelensky certainly is great at PR. The letter he wrote to the family of an american journalist killed in Kiev.
Tue, Mar 15, 2022

It is with deep sadness that I am writing to extend my heartfelt condolences to you on the tragic loss of your beloved son and brother, Brent Renaud.
The people of Ukraine, who are fighting against the Russian regime to defend their Homeland and democracy in the world, are mourning with you.
A talented and brave journalist, Brent lost his life while documenting human tragedy, devastation and suffering of the millions of Ukrainians. With all his courage and determination, he traveled to the most dangerous war zones to film the unprecedented ruthlessness and evil, also inflicted upon our nation by the aggressor state. The people of Ukraine, who are fighting against the Russian regime to defend their Homeland and democracy in the world, are mourning with you.
We are thankful to Brent for his professionalism and commitment to the values of compassion, ethics and justice.
May Brent’s life, service and sacrifice inspire generations of people all around the world to stand up in fight for the forces of light against forces of darkness

 

[RAM]

Upon Ukraine's 1991 independence, over 1,700 Soviet nuclear weapons were left on its territory. Ukraine never possessed operational control of the weapons, and all were removed to Russia under a 1994 agreement in exchange for security assurances.
https://www.nti.org/countries/ukraine/

To be fair they could at least have a point worth discussing, if Ukraine actually had nuclear weapons...

Lest we forget...

I am amazed (not at all to be honest) how the Western media & Govts have been virtually silent about the 'security guarantee' contracted with Ukraine in 1994.

In exchange for the Ukraine giving up all nuclear weapons based in their country (by the USSR) then the US, Britain (& Nato) would 'guarantee' their security.

Not worth the paper it was written on was it?

"On December 5, 1994 the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Britain and the United States signed a memorandum to provide Ukraine with security assurances in connection with its accession to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state. The four parties signed the memorandum, containing a preamble and six paragraphs."

The uranium from the subsequently dismantled weapons ended up being used as 'cheap' fuel for nuclear power stations (predominantly in the US btw). According to what I read in the early 2000s - none was allowed to be used inUkranian nuclear power stations...

 

[drron]

Though one major industry is going to do very well out of this conflict.

Pentagon rushes weapons shipments to Ukraine and allies

"We believe the best way to support Ukrainian defense is by providing them the weapons and the systems they need most to defeat Russian aggression, in particular anti-armor and air defense"

www.jpost.com

Arms sales to Europe skyrocket as tensions escalate with Russia

A new report finds that imports of major arms by European states rose 19 percent between 2017-2021 when compared to 2012-2016.

www.jpost.com

Yes the arms industry.

 

[drron]

And the low down on Russian Oligarchs ,their money and friends.

List of oligarchs and Russian elites featured in ICIJ investigations - ICIJ

ICIJ’s vast trove of leaked financial data features details on Russian oligarchs, billionaires and political power players, including members of President Vladimir Putin's inner circle, who are coming under increased scrutiny in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

www.icij.org

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Squeezing Putin where it hurts: His oil exports

Oil is Russia’s main source of export earnings, so any sanctions on crude could hurt the Kremlin.

www.politico.eu

 

[drron]

The last reporters out of Mariupol. how the stories were documented.

20 days in Mariupol: The team that documented city’s agony

MARIUPOL, Ukraine (AP) — The Russians were hunting us down. They had a list of names, including ours, and they were closing in.

apnews.com