True Left

    Russia warned the West against sending arms to Ukraine.
    Ukraine has mounted a far better resistance to Russian forces than many expected, but to continue to do so it will need continued help from the West.
    NATO is struggling to decide how to give more help to Kyiv’s leadership without risking a world war.
    Ukraine has not only called for the full weight of sanctions to be imposed on Russia but has also asked for a “no-fly zone.”

Ukrainian president warns of ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ as hundreds of thousands of civilians remain under fire across country

Award-winning American journalist Brent Renaud, age 50, was killed by Russian forces in Irpin, Ukraine, according to Kyiv police. Police also said Russian troops wounded another American journalist.

#CNN #News

MSNBC National Security Analyst Clint Watts breaks down the latest movements by Russian forces following a deadly strike on a Ukrainian military base just 12 miles from Poland and Russia's continued efforts to encircle the capital city of Kyiv.

NBC's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports on the White House's reaction to the Russian airstrike at a Ukrainian military base, where 35 people were killed and 134 were injured, and says that the White House announced there will be no U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine and that they are completely committed to NATO's Article 5.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the deadly Russian airstrike on a large military base near Lviv, Ukraine, which was only miles from the Polish border, shows that Vladimir Putin is frustrated with his forces' progress.

#CNN #News

Russian forces are edging closer to Ukraine's capital city, Kyiv. Britain's Defense Ministry estimates Russia’s military to be at least 15 miles away from the city’s center. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has remained in Kyiv, and joins Ali Velshi “exactly 15 miles from Russian tanks” to talk about Russia’s attacks moving closer to the NATO border and what he hopes Western countries provide to support Ukraine.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price stops by The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart to discuss White House reaction to Russia's airstrike just 12 miles from Ukraine's border with Poland and what an "off-ramp" for Putin looks like amid his relentless targeting of civilian infrastructure.

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark told DW that he was "surprised by the ineffectiveness of the Russian military" in Ukraine. "The Russians have proven themselves a relatively inept force," he said. Clarke said "any negotiations will be determined by the outcome on the ground, [which] is determined by the resistance of the Ukrainians" and that NATO should increase its support to Ukraine by giving it "javelins, stingers and as much anti-air and air support as is feasible to do." Clark added that although it wasn't possible to establish a "legalistic" no-fly zone in Ukraine, "air support can be provided by nations who are willing to go in."

When asked if NATO air support could lead to further escalation and the outbreak of a third world war, Clark said "if we fall back and are intimidated by Mr. Putin's threat of nuclear weapons, if there's nothing we can do to help Ukraine, then we'll be dealing with the next crisis on NATO's territory itself."

"Escalation by Mr. Putin is not solely under the control of NATO," Clarke said, adding that Putin may decide to escalate regardless of NATO's actions. Clarke said that, although Russian forces were currently "checked" on the ground by Ukraine, this could change quickly as Russia ramps up bombing and shelling of population centers. Putin is "trying to steal Ukraine as quietly and quickly as he can," Clark said. "But he will use massive firepower if necessary."

Why Putin Is Hell-Bent on Capturing Ukraine’s Nuclear Reactors
...
“There is strategic operation value in controlling energy and communication centers and choke points,” said retired Marine Colonel G.I. Wilson, whose writings originated the popular concept of Fourth Generation Warfare. “That aspect has considerable merit [for the Russians].”

According to Kempfer, part of that merit comes from the fact that such control over the electrical grid would allow the Kremlin to turn the lights off at will over vast swaths of Ukraine.

“Turning off the power nationwide—as [Russian force] have done on a smaller scale in Mariupol—in the middle of winter creates mass hardship and suffering for the Ukrainian population, and that is apparently a weapon Putin feels free to utilize,” Kempfer said.

Such a move could also have a chilling effect on the nation’s commerce.

“The industry and economy of Ukraine can’t function if 50 percent of its power generation capabilities are either controlled by Russian forces or disabled,” said Futures’ research director Bunker, who also pointed out that the reactors could serve as immense “bargaining chips” in any future ceasefire or peace negotiations.

The reactors are also positioned near major railheads that transport nuclear fuel. Those same shipping hubs could be easily repurposed by the Russians for moving armored vehicles and munitions to battlefields around Ukraine, especially since their tanks have been running short on gas.

The targeting of nuclear facilities—including the wanton shelling that set part of Zaporizhzhya ablaze and the ongoing power outages at the plants—also sends a deliberate message that this is a kind of no-holds-barred warfare in which even the risk of nuclear devastation can’t be ruled out.

“It’s a psychological weapon being used to terrorize the population,” said intelligence officer Kempfer. “They’re [targeting nuclear plants] as a way to put tremendous pressure on the Ukrainian government to capitulate. That’s their endgame.”

Kempfer also said the takeovers were a way to warn the U.S. and NATO and against their potential involvement in the conflict.

“[The Kremlin] is able to raise the specter of radioactive calamity without ever introducing nuclear weapons. Putin is a calculating guy and he realizes that we get very concerned any time a nuclear plant is threatened. The world saw Chernobyl, the world saw Fukushima, and we don’t want to see that again.”

Kempfer likened the tactic of going after Ukraine’s nuclear plants to that of Rome sewing salt into Cartheginian soil at the end of the Punic Wars, so that nothing would ever grow there. “They’re saying [...] we might irradiate a big chunk of Ukraine so it’s dead earth and you can never use it again. That’s the implied threat. That they can turn all of Ukraine into one big Chernobyl.”

Taking risks that could lead to a catastrophic accident might be intended to show Russia’s disregard for the consequences of radioactive fallout, but Bunker said there could also be an even darker, more deliberate motive for going after reactors.

“If the Putin regime wants to play ‘authoritarian hardball’ it can threaten to release radiological material into the atmosphere from the Zaporizhzhia facility under its control,” Bunker said. Such a move could be used to force Kyiv to accept Russian rule or “as a deterrence measure to inhibit Ukrainian forces from retaking the facility.”

Marine Colonel Wilson called such behavior “Russian brinkmanship” designed “to give the impression of upping the ante in a very high-stakes encounter” in which “everything is targetable and nothing is safe.”

“Fear,” Wilson said, “is a very powerful weapon in warfare.”

The British Army introduced the first factory-built white phosphorus grenades in late 1916 during the First World War. During the war, white phosphorus mortar bombs, shells, rockets, and grenades were used extensively by American, Commonwealth, and, to a lesser extent, Japanese forces, in both smoke-generating and antipersonnel roles. The Royal Air Force based in Iraq also used white phosphorus bombs in Anbar Province during the Iraqi revolt of 1920.[5]

In the interwar years, the US Army trained using white phosphorus, by artillery shell and air bombardment.

In 1940, when the Nazi invasion of the British home islands seemed imminent, the phosphorus firm of Albright and Wilson suggested that the British government use a material similar to Fenian fire in several expedient incendiary weapons. The only one fielded was the Grenade, No. 76 or Special Incendiary Phosphorus grenade, which consisted of a glass bottle filled with a mixture similar to Fenian fire, plus some latex. It came in two versions, one with a red cap intended to be thrown by hand, and a slightly stronger bottle with a green cap, intended to be launched from the Northover projector (a crude 2.5-inch launcher using black powder as a propellant). These were improvised anti-tank weapons, hastily fielded in 1940 when the British were awaiting a potential German invasion after losing the bulk of their modern armaments in the Dunkirk evacuation.[citation needed]

During the 2006 Israel–Lebanon conflict, Israel said that it had used phosphorus shells "against military targets in open ground" in south Lebanon. Israel said that its use of these munitions was permitted under international conventions.[22] However, President of Lebanon Émile Lahoud said that phosphorus shells were used against civilians.[23] The first Lebanese official complaint about the use of phosphorus came from Information Minister Ghazi Aridi.[24]

In its early statements regarding the Gaza War of 2008–2009, the Israeli military denied using WP entirely, saying "The IDF acts only in accordance with what is permitted by international law and does not use white phosphorus."[25] Numerous reports from human rights groups during the war indicated that WP shells were being used by Israeli forces in populated areas.[26][27][28]

On 5 January the Times reported that telltale smoke associated with white phosphorus had been seen in the vicinity of Israeli shelling. On 12 January it was reported that more than 50 patients in Nasser Hospital were being treated for phosphorus burns.[29]

On 15 January, the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza City was struck by submunitions from Israeli artillery shells, setting fire to pallets of relief materials and igniting several large fuel storage tanks. A UN spokesperson indicated that there were difficulties in extinguishing the fires, stating "You can't put it [white phosphorus] out with traditional methods such as fire extinguishers. You need sand but we do not have any sand in the compound."[30][31] Senior Israeli defense officials maintain that the shelling was in response to Israeli military personnel being fired upon by Hamas fighters who were in proximity to the UN headquarters, and was used for smoke.[32] The soldiers who ordered the attack were later reprimanded for violating the IDF rules of engagement.[33] The IDF further investigated improper use of WP in the conflict, particularly in one incident in which 20 WP shells were fired in a built-up area of Beit Lahiya.[34]
Airburst of an Israeli white phosphorus shell over Gaza City

The Israeli government released a report in July 2009 that confirmed that the IDF used white phosphorus in both exploding munitions and smoke projectiles. The report argues that the use of these munitions was limited to unpopulated areas for marking and signalling and not as an anti-personnel weapon.[35] The Israeli government report further stated that smoke screening projectiles were the majority of the munitions containing white phosphorus employed by the IDF and that these were very effective in that role. The report states that at no time did IDF forces have the objective of inflicting any harm on the civilian population.[35]

As the war in Ukraine rages on, Kyiv has now accused Vladimir Putin's Russia of using white phosphorus bombs in Luhansk. Phosphorus bombs were reportedly favoured by Adolf Hitler during World War II and are not generally used on civilians. White phosphorus bombs were also referred to as “Willy Peter” during WWI & WWII. So what are white phosphorus bombs and what makes them deadly? Is Putin now resorting to chemical weapons to win the war in Ukraine? Watch this video for all the details.

In this video we will discuss one of the German anti-tank missiles, namely the Panzerfaust 3 which is used by Ukraine against Russian tanks.

The Panzerfaust 3 (asoured fist 3) is a modern single-use recoilless anti-tank weapon, designed and developed by Dynamit Nobel AG between 1978 and 1985, undergoing its first tests in 1986 and put into service by the Bundeswehr West German infantry in 1992.

The Panzerfaust 3 was originally designed to defeat the latest Soviet T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. At the time of its introduction it was one of the highest-performance weapons of its class. Improved versions of the Panzerfaust 3 are still among the most capable anti-tank rocket launchers in the world.

The Panzerfaust 3 is known for its compact, lightweight design, which allows it to be fired by a single infantryman. Its ergonomics follow a pre-defined standard, and the controls, including its pistol grip, were designed to be easily handled from all positions.

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Wesley Clark and CNN National Security Analyst Shawn Turner review the current state of affairs in Ukraine, evaluate whether Russian forces are achieving their military goals, and look at what Putin may do next as the war enters its third week. #CNN #News

Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges says that Russia needs three things to transition to a war of attrition that they don't have: the time, the manpower and the ammunition.

Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko says that Russian hasn't stalled - but bombing is moving westward to target more towns and cities where thousands of people are being killed.

He described Russian President Putin as 'barbaric' for targeting vulnerable people.

"And if you think we will stop in Ukraine - think again 300 times" - V. Soloviov, Russian propagandist.
The Europe seems not to worry about possible shelling.
But there are the main rules in case of Russian attacks on civilians.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy addressed the Canadian Parliament pleading for further assistance to the country amid the war with Russia, asking to "close the sky." He adds that "Canada has always been a reliable partner to Ukraine, and i'm sure this will continue."

Journalists have pressed Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Alekseevich Nebenzya, over the ongoing use of deadly force in civilians areas.

Asked when Putin would surrender, he said when the goals of the 'special military operation are achieved, it would stop'.

He alleged Ukrainian forces had used cluster munitions "in the centre on Donetsk" - a story he claimed had not been covered.

Two weeks into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has become apparent Russia’s military is experiencing failures – both technical and strategic – that are perhaps unexpected from one of the world’s largest military forces.

A BMW convertible with a large machine gun mounted to its rear was seen in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, in footage shared on Monday by regional governor Vitali Kim.

Governor Kim described the car as a gift for the local police. A man speaking in the footage can be heard saying the vehicle was given to them by the regional administrative leader, a reference to Kim.

The video is among the latest shared by Kim on his active Telegram channel, where he regularly uploads videos promising defiance of Russian forces who are threatening the city.

NBC's Ken Dilanian reports on how Ukraine's "cheap drones" claim to be successful against Russian forces, and how effective they are with taking out Russian targets following a successful attack overnight.

The war in Ukraine is not the first time Russia has attempted to regime change a neighbouring country - in 1956, Russia ruthlessly crushed a pro-democracy revolution in Hungary for many of the same reasons it has used to justify its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russia’s biggest warship, the nuclear-powered battle cruiser “Pyotr Veliky” and the destroyer “Severomorsk” are sailing towards the activated warning zone halfway between northern Norway and Iceland.

On Sunday, a Norwegian maritime patrol aircraft discovered two Russian navy vessels sailing north of Finnmark region in the Barents Sea. “Pyotr Veliky” is the Russian navy’s largest combat ship armed with several tens of cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and other weapons. The battlecruiser normally serves as a command ship when the Northern Fleet conducts exercises in the Barents Sea north of the Kola Peninsula.

It is several years since last time the nuclear-powered battle cruiser sailed into the Norwegian Sea.

Another big update coming in from the Russia Ukraine War that has been going on. What are your thoughts on if they have sent their full force in or not?

Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles are releasing a previously unknown decoy designed to evade air-defense systems, an American official said.

Former CIA Director John Brennan discusses the ongoing Russian assault on Ukraine and the lessons from Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.