Is Ukraine about to have a war?
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/20/polit...ine/index.html
US accuses Russia of recruiting officials in attempt to take over Ukrainian government
CNN) The United States accused Russia of recruiting current and former Ukrainian government officials to attempt to take control of Ukraine's government as it unveiled new sanctions on Thursday.
"Russia has directed its intelligence services to recruit current and former Ukrainian government officials to prepare to take over the government of Ukraine and to control Ukraine's critical infrastructure with an occupying Russian force," the Treasury Department said in a statement, as it rolled out sanctions against four current and former Ukrainian officials it said were involved in Kremlin-directed influence activities to destabilize Ukraine.
The Treasury said the four individuals -- two of whom are current members of Ukraine's Parliament --- were acting under the direction of a Russian intelligence service sanctioned by the US and played "various roles" in Russia's "global influence campaign to destabilize sovereign countries in support of the Kremlin's political objectives."….
The department said that the action taken Thursday is "separate and distinct" from the "broad range of high impact measures" the US is prepared if Russia invades Ukraine.….
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ment-sanctions
…The two MPs the US has placed sanctions on were named as Taras Kozak and Oleh Voloshyn, both members of a pro-Russian party led by Victor Medvedchuk, an oligarch who has been under house arrest in Ukraine since last May, accused of treason.
A former Ukrainian official, Volodymyr Oliynyk, now living in Russia, has a sanction against him for working “at the direction of the FSB [Russian intelligence] to gather information about Ukrainian critical infrastructure”.
The fourth man named is Vladimir Sivkovich, a former deputy secretary of the Ukrainian national security and defence council.
“In 2021, Sivkovich worked with a network of Russian intelligence actors to carry out influence operations that attempted to build support for Ukraine to officially cede Crimea to Russia in exchange for a drawdown of Russian-backed forces in the Donbas,” the US Treasury alleged…….
US accuses Russia of recruiting officials in attempt to take over Ukrainian government
CNN) The United States accused Russia of recruiting current and former Ukrainian government officials to attempt to take control of Ukraine's government as it unveiled new sanctions on Thursday.
"Russia has directed its intelligence services to recruit current and former Ukrainian government officials to prepare to take over the government of Ukraine and to control Ukraine's critical infrastructure with an occupying Russian force," the Treasury Department said in a statement, as it rolled out sanctions against four current and former Ukrainian officials it said were involved in Kremlin-directed influence activities to destabilize Ukraine.
The Treasury said the four individuals -- two of whom are current members of Ukraine's Parliament --- were acting under the direction of a Russian intelligence service sanctioned by the US and played "various roles" in Russia's "global influence campaign to destabilize sovereign countries in support of the Kremlin's political objectives."….
The department said that the action taken Thursday is "separate and distinct" from the "broad range of high impact measures" the US is prepared if Russia invades Ukraine.….
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ment-sanctions
…The two MPs the US has placed sanctions on were named as Taras Kozak and Oleh Voloshyn, both members of a pro-Russian party led by Victor Medvedchuk, an oligarch who has been under house arrest in Ukraine since last May, accused of treason.
A former Ukrainian official, Volodymyr Oliynyk, now living in Russia, has a sanction against him for working “at the direction of the FSB [Russian intelligence] to gather information about Ukrainian critical infrastructure”.
The fourth man named is Vladimir Sivkovich, a former deputy secretary of the Ukrainian national security and defence council.
“In 2021, Sivkovich worked with a network of Russian intelligence actors to carry out influence operations that attempted to build support for Ukraine to officially cede Crimea to Russia in exchange for a drawdown of Russian-backed forces in the Donbas,” the US Treasury alleged…….
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https://www.express.co.uk/news/scien...n-deal-ukraine
Putin unleashes fury as Germany BANS Russian gas and signs deal with Ukraine instead
VLADIMIR PUTIN has unleashed fury after Germany signed an energy deal with Ukraine and suggested that it will block the Nord Stream 2 pipeline over Russian aggression in the region.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.thelocal.se/20220115/swe...ssia-tensions/
Sweden rolls out tanks on Baltic island over Russia tensions
In an unusual move, Sweden deployed armoured combat vehicles and armed soldiers to patrol streets on the island of Gotland on Friday in response to increased "Russian activity" in the region, the military said.
Some 10 armoured combat vehicles and dozens of armed personnel could be seen patrolling the small port town of Visby on the strategically-located island.
The move came after three Russian landing ships sailed into the Baltic Sea through the Great Belt Strait in Denmark this week, and amid increased tensions between Russia and NATO.
“The armed forces are taking the necessary measures to safeguard Sweden’s integrity and to demonstrate our ability to protect Sweden and Swedish interests”, Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told AFP in emailed remarks.
In a statement late Thursday, the military said troops would be deployed “to reinforce operations in multiple locations” due to “increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea”.
Sweden has flexed its military muscle in the past during exercises, but rarely as a direct response to current events.
Hultqvist also told news agency TT the increased patrols on Gotland showed Sweden was taking the situation seriously and would “not be caught off-guard.”
“We are not unaware of the security risks that exist.”
Swedish Armed Forces chief of operations, Michael Claesson, told AFP the units deployed to Visby were from the garrison already stationed on the island, denying it was a “show a force.”
“This doesn’t have to been seen as particularly dramatic, but this is a natural way of adapting the military presence,” Claesson told AFP……
Sweden rolls out tanks on Baltic island over Russia tensions
In an unusual move, Sweden deployed armoured combat vehicles and armed soldiers to patrol streets on the island of Gotland on Friday in response to increased "Russian activity" in the region, the military said.
Some 10 armoured combat vehicles and dozens of armed personnel could be seen patrolling the small port town of Visby on the strategically-located island.
The move came after three Russian landing ships sailed into the Baltic Sea through the Great Belt Strait in Denmark this week, and amid increased tensions between Russia and NATO.
“The armed forces are taking the necessary measures to safeguard Sweden’s integrity and to demonstrate our ability to protect Sweden and Swedish interests”, Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told AFP in emailed remarks.
In a statement late Thursday, the military said troops would be deployed “to reinforce operations in multiple locations” due to “increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea”.
Sweden has flexed its military muscle in the past during exercises, but rarely as a direct response to current events.
Hultqvist also told news agency TT the increased patrols on Gotland showed Sweden was taking the situation seriously and would “not be caught off-guard.”
“We are not unaware of the security risks that exist.”
Swedish Armed Forces chief of operations, Michael Claesson, told AFP the units deployed to Visby were from the garrison already stationed on the island, denying it was a “show a force.”
“This doesn’t have to been seen as particularly dramatic, but this is a natural way of adapting the military presence,” Claesson told AFP……
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Oh dear. Comments by Vice Admiral Schonbach, head of the German navy. Badly timed I fear…
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...e-german-navy/
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...e-german-navy/
Russian Naval firing exercises off Cork
Coincidence or not but the Russian Navy are planning to hold live fire exercises off the Irish coast in a few weeks
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5...2cbf937d45a96c
The Irish government have been informed with the IAA and Irish Defence Force going to maintain a no fly zone around the area where the Russians will play around.
cheers
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5...2cbf937d45a96c
The Irish government have been informed with the IAA and Irish Defence Force going to maintain a no fly zone around the area where the Russians will play around.
cheers
Last edited by chopper2004; 22nd Jan 2022 at 21:37.
Coincidence or not but the Russian Navy are planning to old love fire exercises off the Irish coast in a few weeks
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5...2cbf937d45a96c
The Irish government have been informed with the IAA and Irish Defence Force going to maintain a no fly zone around the area where the Russians will play around.
cheers
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/5...2cbf937d45a96c
The Irish government have been informed with the IAA and Irish Defence Force going to maintain a no fly zone around the area where the Russians will play around.
cheers
Someone might get the wrong idea.
The German navy chief Vice Admiral Schönbach got fired already over his statements.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Formally resigned rather than fired - and his comments repudiated by the German government.
https://www.dw.com/en/german-navy-ch...mea/a-60525709
https://www.dw.com/en/german-navy-ch...mea/a-60525709
Sure, he requested to be dismissed.
For anyone who is interested in the Russian buildup, this guy is worth a follow - he certainly knows his Russian military equipment (ex-USMC):
Rob Lee (@RALee85) / Twitter
Rob Lee (@RALee85) / Twitter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://apple.news/AItn9gZ2pQduH-5ioCgQZAg
The UK Says Russia Is Planning To Overthrow Ukraine’s Government And Install A Pro-Kremlin Leader
BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Russia has drawn up plans to install a pro-Kremlin former member of parliament to lead Ukraine as it considers a new invasion of the country and the overthrow of its central government, according to a British assessment shared with BuzzFeed News.
The assessment, provided by the UK Foreign Office, alleges that Russian intelligence officers currently involved in the planning for an attack on Ukraine are also collaborating with several former Ukrainian officials who fled to Moscow in winter 2014 and are looking to return to positions of power in their homeland.
“The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking,” Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.….
The UK Foreign Office said Russian intelligence services currently involved in the planning of a new attack on Ukraine are in close contact with several former Ukrainian officials who served in the Yanukovych government.
They include: Serhiy Arbuzov, former first deputy prime minister and acting prime minister; Andriy Kluyev, former first deputy prime minister and Yanukovich’s chief of staff; Vladimir Sivkovich, former deputy head of the National Security and Defense Council; and Mykola Azarov, former prime minister.
In December, Ukrainian president Zelensky said that Russia was plotting a coup against him. It is unclear whether that alleged plan is connected to the current one the British government says it uncovered.….
The UK Says Russia Is Planning To Overthrow Ukraine’s Government And Install A Pro-Kremlin Leader
BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Russia has drawn up plans to install a pro-Kremlin former member of parliament to lead Ukraine as it considers a new invasion of the country and the overthrow of its central government, according to a British assessment shared with BuzzFeed News.
The assessment, provided by the UK Foreign Office, alleges that Russian intelligence officers currently involved in the planning for an attack on Ukraine are also collaborating with several former Ukrainian officials who fled to Moscow in winter 2014 and are looking to return to positions of power in their homeland.
“The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking,” Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.….
The UK Foreign Office said Russian intelligence services currently involved in the planning of a new attack on Ukraine are in close contact with several former Ukrainian officials who served in the Yanukovych government.
They include: Serhiy Arbuzov, former first deputy prime minister and acting prime minister; Andriy Kluyev, former first deputy prime minister and Yanukovich’s chief of staff; Vladimir Sivkovich, former deputy head of the National Security and Defense Council; and Mykola Azarov, former prime minister.
In December, Ukrainian president Zelensky said that Russia was plotting a coup against him. It is unclear whether that alleged plan is connected to the current one the British government says it uncovered.….
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Everything seems to be building up a head of steam towards an unavoidable climax in the next few weeks…
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/0...attacks-527638
Suspected Belarus ties to Ukrainian hacks complicate Biden’s quandary
Intelligence reports suggesting one of Russia’s European allies perpetrated last week’s hacking of Ukrainian government websites are creating a new dilemma for the Biden administration — how to respond if other countries launch cyberattacks on Russia’s behalf.
Ukrainian officials suspect that a group called UNC1151, which has been linked to Belarusian intelligence, carried out the cyberattack that defaced and disabled around 70 government websites, Reuters reported. The targets included the sites of Ukraine’s foreign and education ministries.
While the U.S. and other governments have not confirmed Belarus’ involvement, its possible role creates a tougher call for President Joe Biden on when to hack back and whom to hit if tension over Ukraine breaks out into cyberwar.
Russia’s use of Belarus or another third country to launch cyberattacks on Ukraine could muddy the waters on who to blame, making it harder for the U.S. to justify a counterattack.
Administration officials pledged this week to respond in kind if Russia launches cyberattacks against Ukraine, but the U.S. has not explained how it would handle attacks from countries coordinating with Russia or supporting its aggression against Ukraine.
Biden is already getting pressure from lawmakers to hit Russia and its allies alike.
“If Russia is behind the cyberattack against Ukraine, as I suspect is the case, they must be sanctioned immediately as is required by Congress,” House Foreign Affairs ranking member Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said in an email. “And the same should be done to any country helping Russia with its aggression.”…..
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/0...attacks-527638
Suspected Belarus ties to Ukrainian hacks complicate Biden’s quandary
Intelligence reports suggesting one of Russia’s European allies perpetrated last week’s hacking of Ukrainian government websites are creating a new dilemma for the Biden administration — how to respond if other countries launch cyberattacks on Russia’s behalf.
Ukrainian officials suspect that a group called UNC1151, which has been linked to Belarusian intelligence, carried out the cyberattack that defaced and disabled around 70 government websites, Reuters reported. The targets included the sites of Ukraine’s foreign and education ministries.
While the U.S. and other governments have not confirmed Belarus’ involvement, its possible role creates a tougher call for President Joe Biden on when to hack back and whom to hit if tension over Ukraine breaks out into cyberwar.
Russia’s use of Belarus or another third country to launch cyberattacks on Ukraine could muddy the waters on who to blame, making it harder for the U.S. to justify a counterattack.
Administration officials pledged this week to respond in kind if Russia launches cyberattacks against Ukraine, but the U.S. has not explained how it would handle attacks from countries coordinating with Russia or supporting its aggression against Ukraine.
Biden is already getting pressure from lawmakers to hit Russia and its allies alike.
“If Russia is behind the cyberattack against Ukraine, as I suspect is the case, they must be sanctioned immediately as is required by Congress,” House Foreign Affairs ranking member Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said in an email. “And the same should be done to any country helping Russia with its aggression.”…..
https://www.thejournal.ie/russia-mis...60829-Jan2022/
Looking at cables again, positioning for an exercise missile shoot at Plymouth or just coincidence that it happens when U.K. have been supplying weapons to Ukraine in the last week?
Looking at cables again, positioning for an exercise missile shoot at Plymouth or just coincidence that it happens when U.K. have been supplying weapons to Ukraine in the last week?
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Looks like things may ramp up.
https://texasnewstoday.com/antony-bl...nd-russia/6166
https://texasnewstoday.com/antony-bl...nd-russia/6166
Antony Blinken does not rule out U.S. military involvement in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
In another interview on CNN’s federal state on Sunday, the U.S. chief diplomat did not rule out the possibility of U.S. military involvement in the worsening conflict.