“I need a favor tho” I am pretty sure President Biden did not utter those words to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The US Intelligence community confirms the over night bombing of multiple Ukrainian Cities are the result of Russian Military Missile strikes. In Kyiv strikes came from ground artillery.
Trifecta Axis of- evil- 2.0 Russia, Crimea and Belarus…
…the U.S. Intelligence Community stated (with a high degree of confidence) that;
Russia’s overnight bombing —is a phase of Putin’s strategy to initially target Ukraine’s military operations and concurrently Ukraine’s infrastructure…
Russia’s multiple pronged strategy would start with aerial strikes, attempts to take control of Ukraine’s airspace, while crippling Ukraine’s missile defense systems. Then a possible ground invasion by Russia’s Military.
And it’s clear that Belarus has now thrown their lot in with Russia’s full scale invasion of another Sovereign Nation. As recently noted Russian (and likely Belarusian) Military entering Ukraine
The irony should not be losses on you, Ukraine recently constructed a new highway that serves as the fastest and most direct link to Kyiv.
…also notable about 8 hours before the overnight bombing (most likely Russia) launched a cyber attack on Ukraine’s main government websites and various Ukraine Banks on February 23, 2022 -via a data wiping malware. This is now the second cyber attack from Russia. The cyber attack of February 15, 2022 targeted Ukraine’s networks of their defense ministry and at least two Ukrainian banks -via a coordinated DDOS attack
At the time of publication Ukraine facing a full on Russia invasion, specifically in these main areas;
the Southern portion of Ukraine from Crimea (the 2014 Russia invasion of another Sovereign Country and then Russia unlawfully annexed Crimea
Russia (and likely Belarus) Military are on the ground rolling towards Kyiv via a highway Ukraine built to increase Trade between their country and Belarus
Russia has apparently targeting of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure near major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Dnipro. Using a barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles. And Russia’s used artillery rockets near the city’s of Mariupo
our NATO Allies Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania & Poland…
triggered NATO’s Article 4 - which reads in part: “The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties are threatened”
It takes place on all subjects of interest to the Alliance, including NATO’s day-to-day business, its core objectives and fundamental role.
Consultation reinforces NATO’s political dimension by giving members the opportunity to voice opinions and official positions. It also gives NATO an active role in preventive diplomacy by providing the means to help avoid military conflict.
In Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, members can bring any issue of concern, especially related to the security of a member country, to the table for discussion within the North Atlantic Council.
Since the Alliance’s creation in 1949, Article 4 has been invoked several times, for instance by Turkey.
And while I’m certainly no Russia-Ukraine expert —I think it’s reasonable to think that Russia’s unlawful invasion will be one helluva test for NATO. Secretary
“Russia has attacked Ukraine …this is a brutal act of war…All this shows that our collective defense commitment, Article 5, is ironclad and we will continue to do whatever is necessary to shield the alliance from aggression," he said.
"Standing as one, we will protect our people and our values. Democracy will always prevail over autocracy. Freedom will always prevail over oppression."
The last time NATO invoked Article V -it was when our NATO Allies came to America’s aid after the horrific 9/11 act of terrorism. Holding fast to their promise of “if you attack one, you attack all”
The principle of collective defence is at the very heart of NATO’s founding treaty. It remains a unique and enduring principle that binds its members together, committing them to protect each other and setting a spirit of solidarity within the Alliance.
This goes without saying: Ukraine is our Ally…
…and we will stand with Ukraine, it’s citizens and our NATO Allies, shoulder to shoulder because Putin’s decision to invade another sovereign country is beyond egregious… Ukraine did nothing to provoke Russia’s aggression.
And while some of our Allies might have questioned America’s “word” , particularly under president Trump (again my petty is Meta AF and I’ll never used a capital “p” when speaking about Trump’s presidency) who literally helped Putin create new fractures and deepening fissures among our NATO allies. The fact is hours before president Putin released his announcement (also note that Putin is wearing the same suit, shirt and tie as he wore during his pernicious February 21, 2022 “speech”)
Russia is the current “president” of the U.N. Security Council…
During the (Feb 23, 2021) Emergency U.N. Security Council meeting -the current “president” of the United Nation’s Security Council is the Russian Federation — Let that sink in for a moment. The very same rogue entity who’s nearly surrounded another Sovereign Country and then decided to invade it —yes they are the current president of the UN Security Council. The Ukrainian ambassador comments to the Russian Ambassador:
“There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go straight to hell, ambassador….”
Not that this matters but during Putin’s “surprise” February 23, 2022 Announcement/Speech pretty much informing the entire world that Russia was “conducting a special military operations near Dunbas” notable Putin was wearing the same exact suit, shirt and tie that he wore during his February 21, 2022 rambling speech —which leads to the reasonable assumption that the February 23, 2022 speech was prerecorded and he had already made the decision to invade Ukraine. Let’s not forget that on February 18, 2022 President Biden stated that Putin had already made the decision to invade Ukraine..
Putin’s chilling February 23, 2022 threat…
Putin urging the Ukrainian Military to drop their arms and “go home” and that if they acquiesce to Russia/Putin’s aggression that nothing would happen to them. However what I found absolutely chilling is the following (albeit translated from Russian to English);
“…anyone from the outside, who’s tempted to interfere in the ongoing events… whoever tries to interfere with us, even more so to create threats for our country and for our people —should know Russia -Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences that you have never experienced in your history”
…that is, Putin is unquestionably directly threatening NATO, and America. Leaving many wondering what is Putin’s endgame.
New Sanctions to be unveiled by the Biden Administration, later today.
On February 21, 2022 the Biden Administration unveiled additional sanctions.
President Biden signed a new Executive Order Blocking Property Of Certain Persons And Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect To Continued Russian Efforts To Undermine The Sovereignty And Territorial Integrity Of Ukraine. Which added the following individuals;
BORTNIKOV, Denis Aleksandrovich (Cyrillic: БОРТНИКОВ, Денис Александрович), Moscow, Russia; DOB 19 Nov 1974; POB Leningrad region, Russia; nationality Russia; Gender Male (individual) [RUSSIA-EO14024] (Linked To: BORTNIKOV, Alexander Vasilievich).
FRADKOV, Petr Mikhailovich (Cyrillic: ФРАДКОВ, Пётр Михайлович) (a.k.a. FRADKOV, Petr; a.k.a. FRADKOV, Petr Mihaylovich; a.k.a. FRADKOV, Pyotr Mikhailovich; a.k.a. FRADKOV, Pyotr Mikhaylovich; a.k.a. FRAKOV, Pyetr Mikhaylovich), 33-1 Prospekt Mira, Apt. 34, Moscow, Russia; DOB 07 Feb 1978; POB Moscow, Russia; nationality Russia; Gender Male; Passport 530285387 (Russia) issued 31 Oct 2012 expires 12 Jul 2022; National ID No. 45033399117(Russia) (individual) [RUSSIA-EO14024].
KIRIYENKO, Vladimir Sergeevich (Cyrillic: КИРИЕНКО, Владимир Сергеевич) (a.k.a. KIRIYENKO, Vladimir), Nesivizhsky Pereulok 12 Bld 1 Flat 16, Moscow 119021, Russia; DOB 27 May 1983; POB Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; nationality Russia; Gender Male; Passport 731167796 (Russia) issued 06 Sep 2013 expires 17 Feb 2022 (individual) [RUSSIA-EO14024] (Linked To: KIRIYENKO, Sergei Vladilenovich).
OFAC has issued Ukraine General License Number 17, Ukraine General License Number 18, Ukraine General License Number 19, Ukraine General License Number 20, Ukraine General License Number 21, and Ukraine General License Number 22.
On February 22, 2022 the US Treasury published:
On February 23, 2022 the US Treasury unveiled additional sanctions: PEESA Designations; Issuance of Russia-related General License 4 (specifically targeting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline)
America’s Allies & NATO newly imposed sanctions;
On February 22, 2022 the U.K. announced new sanctions on Russia & the Putin regime
pursuant to the recently amended Regulations 2019 S.I. 2019/855.
Also see U.K.’s Ukraine Volume 709: debated on Tuesday 22 February 2022
Also see UK sanctions on numerous Russian oligarchs and banks/financial institutions. See the Foreign Secretary's statement -which also targeted the following financial institutions/banks; IS Bank; Rossiya Bank; PJSC Promsvyazbank; JSC Genbank; and JSC Black Sea Bank Development and Reconstruction.
On February 23, 2022 —the Australian government announced the “first phase” of Russia sanctions, which will include:
the imposition of travel bans and targeted financial sanctions on 8 members of Russia’s Security Council;
restrictions on transactions with Rossiya Bank, Promsvyazbank, IS Bank, Genbank and the Black Sea Bank for Development and Reconstruction;
restrictions on investment in the Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs Vnesheconombank (VEB); and
the extension of existing sanctions on Crimea and Sevastopol under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 to Donetsk and Luhansk, thereby prohibiting trade in the transport, energy, telecommunications and oil, gas and minerals sectors.
On February 23, 2022 the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a 3-part package of measures which includes:
Travel bans and asset freezes on DNR and LNR officials;
an import/export ban of goods from the areas; and
a ban on the issuance and trading of new Russian sovereign bonds in Japan.
On February 22, 2022, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced a package of sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations and the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations which will impose:
Restrictions on members of the Russian State Duma who voted for the decision to recognise the independence of the DNR and LNR;
a “dealings ban” on the areas; new prohibitions on direct and indirect dealings in Russian sovereign debt; and
sanctions on 2 significant Russian financial institutions.
We will freeze Russian assets in the European Union…
On February 24, 2022 just after 2:30AM DC Local time the European Union Leaders strongly condemned President Putin and the Russian Military of
…Later today we will present a package of massive, targeted sanctions. We will target strategic sectors of the Russian economic, by blocking access to financial institutions…these sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll
NATO additionally announced a Press briefing of the NATO Secretary General after extraordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council -which will commence around 5:30AM EST today
…On Thursday, 24 February 2022, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will brief the media at NATO HQ, following an extraordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council.
Sanctions more targeted sanctions imposed on Russia
If you’ll note our European Allies are lock step with the Biden Administration and more generally sane & informed Americans. Meaning to those who have criticize President Biden, maybe you should reevaluate what it means to be a true and patriotic American. Because President Biden has been (in my view) been refreshingly transparent with the American People but equally important is Biden’s transparency and consensus building between our Allies and NATO members.
Conversely the recent Orange Swamp Donkey’s vulgar exhalations of Putin, going as far as stating Putin is a “genius” —I read the transcript of Trump’s radio interview and it made me sick to my stomach. Particularly when you couple that with the vulgar pro-Putin Fox “news” amplification of Putin & Donald Trump pro-Russia talking points. Either Trump has fully Stockholm’d the whole of Fox News and the Republican Party or Trump is the most unpatriotic dangerous piece of dog sh_t. I’m also pretty sure if Putin farted then Donald J Trump would have an immediate facelift and chemical peal to his shitty big-pores face….(and no I’m not being sardonic)… I’m telling you right now the Biden Administration and our Allies better cut Putin off from SWIFT and cryptocurrency exchanges.
However without reading the text of the Biden Administration’s “Mother Load” of new sanctions, my guess is America and our Allies better financially sanction Putin (and his family) and top Oligarchs into painful financial insolvency… but the Export/Import Control new sanctions are certainly welcomed.
Various Ukraine Government updates;
On February 24, 2022 , the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė tweeted condemnation and the "strong and united action" against Russia —shortly before 2AM (DC local time) the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia released a joint statement. In a full throated commendation of Russia’s actions, breaking of international laws, their statement reads in part;
"in (the) strongest possible way, the open large scale Russian (aggression) against the independent, peaceful and democratic Ukraine.”
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces…
On February 24, 2022 shortly before 2:30AM (DC local time) via this Facebook post, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated in part (also as a gentle reminder that breaking news can often change minute by minute
Russian Federation armed forces launched intensive shelling of our units in the east, launched rocket-bomb strikes at the airports in Boryspil, Lake, Kulbakinom, Chuguev, Kramatorsk, Chornobayivtsi… At the same time, the aggressor started artillery shelling of the territory and settlements of Ukraine along the state border and on the border with TOT AR Crimea.
The forces of defense of the state, using the right to self-defense in accordance with the century. 51 UN Statute provides a worthy dividend to the enemy's attempts to break the border. The situation is under control. Russian troops are carrying the losses.
In the area of the OOS, 5 aircrafts of the Russian Federation and 2 helicopters were hit, 2 tanks were hit, several trucks of the Russian Federation were destroyed.
Then just before 3AM (DC Local time) via Facebook the president of Ukraine signed the following martial law order
The President signed a decree on the implementation of a military state in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada approved it
THE LAW OF UKRAINE on the legal regime of the military state https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/389-19#Text
At any rate I need to head out the door so I can be down at the State Capitol before 6:45AM. Which means I’ll be completely out of pocket for the majority of today. I keep reminding myself that the marathon legislative session is almost over. That I need to dig way deep. In order to effectively utilize my organization and multitasking skills for maximum impact.
However I though that some of you would appreciate your daily dose of Ocean therapy. Candidly there are times that Mother Nature truly does “take my breath away” -also pay close attention to the clouds & how they concentrate the Sun’s full spectrum of colors. And yes of course “sunrise” is my favorite color. Again enjoy the Ocean therapy. Again Ukraine and Ukrainians are the victims here. They need our support and NATO’s support. And certainly the bloodshed will be catastrophic and that is entirely on Putin. Lastly if I have time and energy left, later today I’ll update the new tranche of sanctions. The world needs to send Putin a message, he can not invade another sovereign country without serious ramifications.
Be well - xo Filey
America and its NATO allies need to crush him and his oligarchs and families once and for all. Crush him and them financially. Crush them on the battlefield, and absolutely humiliate Putin and his friends for the excrement they are. That is all stupid bullies like them understand. Democracy will stand strong and perhaps heal and once again flourish in America.and the world. I stand with Ukraine.
Please take care of yourself and be safe.
To Everyone else here, prayers help. Pray for Ukraine, the world and pray that the stoopid that seems to be swallowing up the world and especially Americans doesn't swallow the rest of us up. God bless us all. We.all have to hang in there together. It is the only way we come out of this. Spread light and love, Putin and his cronies and whatever connections in America are doing their level best to destroy it.
Mic, I was hoping you'd write some analysis today, so I'm starting with a thank you. We're heartbroken here, for both Ukraine and the wider world of democracies. As is everyone.
Of course, it goes without saying that Belarus has to *support* Putin's plan ("Once you get a RU in your house, it's impossible to get him out")...
And it also goes without saying (though Navalny did say it today in his court appearance) that Putin is *running on water* so if he stops he's d.o.n.e. However, the damage he's doing, and his willingness to use the nuclear 'option' is - and will continue to be - terrifying, and he wants it to be.
I am hoping for a massive NATO response today, so that RU's real leaders ($$$) will have to remove Putin because he's so clearly unhinged. At least, I hope that there are some who can make this happen in their own self-interest.