Ukraine: The brutal retreat of Russian forces in-and-around Kyiv

When the banner is unfurled, all reason is in the trumpet” – Ukrainian Proverb

We are now on the 38th Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. The atrocities are just so staggering. The ones calling for genocide is right on. That is tragic as the invading forces have been acting in the most brutal ways.

The Bucha massacre isn’t only the mass-grave outside with over 300 bodies. It is the total annihilation and destruction of the Kyiv oblast, as the towns and suburbs of Kyiv has been left depleted. They have looted, raped and killed civilians. While they have also kidnapped and arrested the ones who was elected officials and representatives of the Ukrainian state. Therefore, they tried to erase the Ukrainian statehood. That was a deliberate act.

Just as the video clip of what has occurred in the city of Bucha is shocking. The bodies are laying in the streets and beside their vehicles. They are just on the road-side and everywhere the soldiers was passing. These people where tied with their hands on their back and shot to die.

The same sort of reports comes from other cities where the Russians has retreated. This being in Irpin and Chernihiv as well. What is been shown to the world is mass killings and systematic annihilation of Ukraine. These wasn’t military targets or killed in action (KIA). This was citizens and civilians who was killed by them without any justification.

The acts of the Russian forces in the North-West of Kyiv shows what sinister atrocities was done. That cannot be dismissed or put under the rug. We know the Russian media and spokespersons will downplay it or say it didn’t happen. That this is manufactured and not true. However, the pictures and videos shows what they did as they retreated.

They also made a temporary headquarters in Bucha, which had a room where they did torture people and another where they shot them. The Russian forces really did war-crimes here and did it deliberately. There is no other way of stating it.

What happened in Bucha, Irpin or anywhere shouldn’t just be investigated. It needs to be addressed and challenge the Kremlin with it. As this is crimes against humanity and mass killings, which will be recorded for history. This shows how the Russians acts against the Ukrainian brothers. That is how the Russian army values life.

We know the Russian forces that have been retreated to Belarus has created an own market where they sell looted goods and stolen items for profits. Therefore, they can steal all kinds of stuff and sell it. If not it is also reported that the Russian soldiers has sent the stolen goods by mail to their homes within Russia. Therefore, there is nothing that cannot be touched or taken by them.

The pictures of Bucha proves it…. and they will be permanently imprinted in my skull, as a remembrance of what the Russian are capable of doing and does.

Ukraine is burning, looted and destroyed at will… because Russia has no heart and comes with a vengeance. Peace.

Ukraine: Reports of a possible new front from Moldova/Transnistria ….

Today on the 37th Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. While the Russian forces has retreated from certain fronts, but still used artillery and missiles there. The air-strikes will continue there. As the Russian are possibly strengthen other fronts and especially in the ones in Donbass regions.

If the Russian forces, which already is based within Transnistria was to be active and ordered to the fronts. It would mean that they would possibly be helping the battles to Occupy Odessa and port there. Which would be a huge blow for Ukraine and a loss of one vital port. That cannot be understated….

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated earlier today this:

On April 1 this year, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation decided to hold a military meeting with reservists from April 04 to May 23, 2022. At the same time, work to engage Russian troops units based in the territory of the Pridnistrovsk region of the Republic of Moldova has been activated to conduct provocations and demonstration actions on the border with Ukraine. The redeployment of Russian troops and units of the so-called Pridnistrovsk-Moldovan Republic was marked in order to prepare for a demonstration of readiness for the advance and possibly combat against Ukraine” (General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 02.04.2022).

Hours later, the Transnistrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed it like this:

All military units on the territory of the Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic are in the places of permanent deployment and carry out their activities in a standard working mode. At the same time they purposefully minimized even their planned activities in order to preserve the tranquillity of our Ukrainian neighbours” (…) “The leadership of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic has repeatedly officially stated that there is no threat to Ukraine. This principled position of the state is unchanged” (Transnistrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 02.04.2022).

What we should do until it is verified by several sources. We should question it. However, in this state and how the Russians are operating. They are already using Belarus territory and have recruited conscripts from there. Therefore, the use of another territory and ability to it’s advantage would be natural.

Transnistria could be a useful means of attacking Odessa and the Odessa Oblast. The Russian Supported Separatist state could become a strategic component in that. Until proven and seen troops movement from Moldova/Transnistria to Odessa we cannot say for certain. The Russian would dismiss it or say it wasn’t so. That is what they have done all year anyway.

We know the Russian just said the troops moved around the Ukrainian borders earlier in the year was for military practice and the same did they say about the movement into Belarus. This is why we know there could be something legit about this too. Because, the Russians and their allies won’t spell it out, but suddenly use the advantage for their war within Ukraine. No one should be shocked by this… because that is just how things has been moving this time around. Peace.

Ukraine: President Zelensky’s inspirational speech – “We will equally want to win, but there will be battles ahead”

The 36th day of our nationwide defense after eight years of war in Donbas is coming to an end. It’s hard to believe that, but March has already passed. Absolutely imperceptible! The passage of time is somehow not even noticed. Every day and every night has become virtually the same for us. The same day, the same night. And with one task for all – to protect ourselves, save people, rebuff invaders. Drive them out. All this March and five days of February, the invaders have been trying to break in and gain a foothold in our house from different directions – from land, from the sky, from the sea. They go, fly, swim… There is so much evil in them, so much thirst for destruction that it reminds not of people, but of something otherworldly. Some monsters that burn and loot, attack and try to kill. Some hellish chimeras” – President Volodymyr Zelensky (01.04.2022).

The speech today to the Republic of Ukraine is showing the resilience and will of the Ukrainian people. They have fought for 36 days against a power, which no one expected them to handle. The Russian-Belorussian war-machine was supposed to destroy, deplete and run into Kyiv within no time. Something the President further states himself. That shows how the Ukrainian Forces has fought and been able to defend their nation. They should be proud of what they have achieved and continues to achieve.

The President continues…

But when you are on your land, everything helps you. The land itself, rivers, every person. Everyone, even the one you didn’t expect from before. We endured much more than the enemy expected. They said – three or five days. They thought that this would be enough for them to seize our entire state. And it’s already 36. And we are standing. And we will continue to fight. Until the end” (Zelensky. 01.04.2022).

The proof of what they have done and continues to do is really inspirational. That the Ukrainian forces has held the Russian forces at bay. It is all the reasons for the President to speak well of his armies and his people. Who has fought and continues to fight for their justified cause. They are fighting a battle with no remorse and no mercy, which is all up to the invader and their allies.

Zelensky address the recent progress:

To the north of Kyiv, in the Chernihiv direction, in the Sumy region, the expulsion of the occupiers continues. They themselves are aware that they can no longer withstand the intensity of hostilities they could have maintained in the first half of March. But we must also realize that for the Russian military, this is part of their tactics. All this is not occasional. We know their plans. We know what they are planning and what they are doing. We know that they are moving away from the areas where we are beating them to focus on others that are very important. On those where it can be difficult for us. That is why it is very important for everyone to show restraint. Restraint in emotions. Restraint in worries. We all equally want to win. Equally! But there will be battles ahead. We still have a very difficult path to cover to get everything we strive for” (Zelensky, 01.04.2022).

That the Russian forces are re-grouping and re-strategising to ensure better results. This is clear and the Donbas should in the up-coming days see more Russian forces and brigades. As they are wanting to take the whole regions under Russian occupation. This is why they are leaving other regions. It isn’t to stop the war, but finding new ways of gaining territory in Ukraine. However, the President is clear that they know this and isn’t taking the other victories as a done deal. There is still battles ahead.

Let Moscow not forget that the sanctions policy will only be continued and intensified. As long as there is no peace – sanctions are needed. Until Russia begins to invest as sincerely in the search for peace as it invests in the destruction of our state, sanctions will remain unalterable” (Zelensky, 01.04.2022).

Here Zelensky is speaking of sanctions and plans of furthering them. Thais means the Russian economy and Russian finances will be harder hit. We know that Kremlin will spin this and use this a means of war. Alas, this is the West answering and targeting Russia, because they are having an illegal war in Ukraine. That’s why it’s fair the economy and the finances of Russia is hit. The war-machine doesn’t need financing.. and Zelensky is right in saying that sanctions is needed. The West and such needs to intensified and even stronger. Since, the war isn’t stopping. Hopefully, they will make SWIFT totally banned and not having loopholes like now.

The President ends with this:

No matter what, we all have to think about the future. About what Ukraine will be like after this war. How we will live. Because this is a war for our future. This is a war for our lives, in which we have only one way – to gain peace for Ukraine. To gain Ukraine’s security” (Zelensky, 01.04.2022).

It is so true, the fight for independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Ukraine is at stake. The liberty and democracy, which the Ukrainians has fought over. The sort that they have had revolutions and acted in accordance with the majority of the people of the Republic. Not have a imposed and puppet regime installed by Kremlin. That is what Putin wants and his associates. This is very clear by the manner of which this war was started and the rhetoric of Kremlin.

It has only been 36 days and the “Special Operation” have clearly not been achieved or gotten finished as it was intended. Even if the Russian Ministry of Defence claims that first phase is over. Alas, they have to make the utter failure and lacking results on the battlefield looking good at home.

Zelensky is right and the end is far ahead. The Russians aren’t given up or stopping. They are just changing strategy. That is why the Ukrainian forces has to re-engage and move troops to address that. This war is far from over, but the Ukrainians will fight to the bitter end. That is very clear and they will not surrender easily. Therefore…

Like Zelensky said earlier in the speech:And we will continue to fight. Until the end” (Zelensky, 01.04.2022). Peace.

Opinion: Orbán will never betray Putin….

The point is not that we put on a sweater, turn up the heating a little, as some in the West think, or pay a few forints more for gas and at gas stations. But the point is that if energy does not come from Russia, then energy in Hungary no… This is a question of the functioning or non-functioning of the economy” (…) “It doesn’t suit us that there is cheap Russian energy, gas, we turn it off, and instead it will be expensive American. This is a great idea in itself, but I don’t know how it can reach Hungary, this liquefied natural gas, which transported by sea on ships, I think this is absurd” – Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (01.04.2022, RIA Novosti)

This has been reported statements made by Viktor Orbán live on the Hungarian radio Kossuth. The Hungarian Prime Minister is crystal clear and there is no doubt anymore. Orbán’s decision of being “neutral” in the war in Ukraine is only beneficial for Moscow and Kremlin. His party Fidesz and other associates have also sown distrust to Kyiv. So, the party lines and loyalty is in the manner of Kremlin.

We know Orbán and Fidesz is in election mode right now. The Foreign Minister of Hungary has claimed the Ukrainian have interfered in the election. However, it is the Fidesz and leadership itself that shows what stances it takes. Then the commentary comes as a result of that.

The PM and his party by their forged “neutrality” in the war has only shown loyalty to Putin. It is only increasing the value of that relations and the diplomatic choices Budapest has made. Hungary and it’s leadership has chosen this path.

That the election and campaigns are happening in the midst of war isn’t Ukraine’s fault. They are the victim of the invasion of Russia. The token ally of Orbán. Budapest seems to rather fuel and finance the war-machine. Than actually help Ukraine in their battle for independence and sovereignty. That is a legitimate cause and a justified one.

However, Hungary and Orbán will not participate or be involved in any direct support Ukraine. Nevertheless, they will still co-operate and be an ally of Moscow. That just shows what sort of side it has taken. Not only buying gas and energy from Russia. We are seeing how it had decided and where their heart is laying.

They can deny that, but their in-action and their continues support says otherwise. The Fidesz government are tied to Kremlin and distancing itself from Kyiv. That is what this war has proven. Instead of being parts of the joint efforts of Europe. The leaders of Budapest is instead standing by Putin. That is the message it is sending and the PM is just furthering it today. Peace.

Ukraine: Kremlin can order total war on you but cannot manage a small retaliation…

The Kremlin said the reported Ukrainian airstrike will hinder future peace talks. “Of course, this is not something that can be perceived as creating comfortable conditions for the continuation of negotiations,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters” (The Moscow Times – ‘Ukrainian Helicopters Strike at Russian Oil Depot, Local Official Claims’ 01.04.2022).

If you ever though there was cowards in the world… the Kremlin and the Moscow elite is clearly there these days. The ones who ordered a total and annihilation war on Ukraine is sour and bitter after a fuel depot has been bombed within Russian territory. While the the Russian Forces has daily air-strikes since late February. It has been over a month of war and destruction within Ukraine. Therefore, the recent retaliation is small pickle in concern to the looting, destruction and deaths that Russian forces has done to Ukraine.

If only one fuel depot is enough of a breach to stop the talks. It shows how the Russians cannot see that they waged a war against Ukraine. The Russian Army and their allies has invaded, targeted and occupied territory within Ukraine. The Russian forces has bombed buildings, factories and military installations across the Republic. The Russians has bombed public buildings, schools and made areas into total war-zones and destroyed infrastructure for decades to come. Therefore, the bitterness of bombing on fuel depot is crying a river over nothing in the grand scale of things.

The Russians are lucky there was no casualties and fatalities in connection to the bombing of the fuel depot within the Belgorod. I have little to no sympathy here… as we have seen how damaging the war has been in Ukraine. With the million of refugees and internally displaced people, because of the conflict.

Kremlin cannot be serious here. They have damaged landmarks, bombed kindergartens, schools and everything else in their way. Their artillery and missiles haven’t only gone after military equipment or bases. No, they have gone after civilian targets and even bombed at planned humanitarian convoys within Ukraine.

That is why the Kremlin, President Putin and all his fellow cronies can grow a pair of balls. They are lucky the Ukrainian haven’t targeted more or even done anything similar in the border regions to Ukraine. If the Ukraine had acted like Russian forces and conscripts. The Russian people and such would flee further into the Federation. It would rain bombs in urban areas and cities would be targeted on the daily. In such a manner, that the people had to live for days underground and shelter.

Therefore, Kremlin is insincere and bitching here… it is like they are not thinking the Ukrainian would ever be able to retaliate and direct their war home. Because, the Ukrainian army was supposed to give up within days and now it’s been over a month of war. Kremlin need to see that the war can enter home and the missiles can go against targets within Russia.

This is the war that Russia wanted and suddenly it can come home. As long as the Russians are waging war. The warfare can be returned. It is not a one-sided affair… even if Vlad thinks so or his other close associates lives in that belief. Peace.

Ukraine: Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani (31 March 2022)

Ukraine: Zelensky wants more targeted sanctions against Russia

This is a ruthless war against our nation, against our people, against our children. As of today, 143 children are known to have died. Mariupol remains blocked. Russian troops did not allow any humanitarian corridor to be organized today, they did not allow “silence”. Therefore, the situation must now be perceived in a balanced, wise way. As much as possible. Without excessive euphoria from success. But also without getting yourself worked up. We still need time. We still need weapons. We still have to fight, we have to be patient. We can’t burn emotions right now. We can’t set expectations too high. Just so as not to burn out” (Zelensky, 28.03.2022).

It has entered the 34th Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defence has been able to stagnate and stop the Russian forces, which was supposed to enter Kyiv within days after the invasion on the 24th February 2022. The Russian Federation and the Kremlin power structure have been humbled by the resistance and the will of the Ukrainian people. They have also been targeted by a united Europe and Western power, which Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t foresee.

We know the European Union have made 4 packages of sanctions. There been reactions of Western companies suspending or stopping to invest in Russia. Everyone from VISA to Heineken has left Russia since the invasion. The Russian market have felt the move, but the Russians are still selling gas and oil to the EU, which is feeding the bottom-line and securing profits to the Russian state. Therefore, the totality of sanctions are still not crushing or depleting the Russian state. No, it is has only heart certain businesses and oligarchs.

That’s why Zelensky is right in saying this yesterday:

I will continue this activity tomorrow. I will talk to other world leaders. I will work with international organizations, with the nations of Europe and the world. Ukraine cannot and will not agree with the passive sanctions position of some entities towards Russia. There should be no “suspended” sanctions packages – that if the Russian troops do something, then there will be some answer… We went through this story last year when we said that strong preventive sanctions against Russia were needed to prevent an invasion. The preventive package was not made. A full-scale war has begun. There are now many hints and warnings that sanctions will be tightened, such as an embargo on Russian oil supplies to Europe, if Russia uses chemical weapons. There are simply no words. Just think about what it all came down to. Waiting for chemical weapons… We, living people, have to wait… Doesn’t everything that the Russian military is doing and has already done deserve an oil embargo? Don’t phosphorus bombs deserve that? Don’t the shelled chemical production or nuclear power plant deserve that? It is important for us that the sanctions packages are effective and substantial enough, given what is already being done against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. If the sanctions packages are weak or do not work enough, if they can be circumvented, it creates a dangerous illusion for the Russian leadership that they can continue to afford what they are doing now. And Ukrainians pay for it with their lives. Thousands of lives. Therefore, starting this week, we are creating a group of experts at the President’s Office – Ukrainian and international, who will constantly analyze the sanctions against Russia – what they really influence. Our goal is for the sanctions to work as intended. And so that there is no possibility to circumvent them. This must be a goal for the whole democratic world, without exception. No exception” – President Volodymyr Zelensky – “We have to fight, we can’t burn emotions so as not to burn out” (28.03.2022).

The European Union, United States and all their allies should reconsider their approach. As some of their sanctions are biting. That’s why the Russian high ranking officials and spokespersons has spoken ill of the sanctions. They have even said it will cause “doom and gloom” over Europe. However, the ramification will also hurt Russia directly and the citizens itself. Therefore, it is not like this is only hitting the Kremlin and associates of Vladimir Putin. Yes, the oligarchs and the rich allies have lost homes, yachts and such. However, it would be more damaging if they totally blocked SWIFT and stopped buying gas. The West would damage the economy, if they stopped importing Russian produced products and similar items. That because that would damage the industries and the amount of investment power the state would have.

The Kremlin and Russia would be shocked, if the EU and the West suddenly blocked exports from Russia to them. That means the Russian producers would have to find other markets and other ways of earning profits. To realigned their economy would take time and wouldn’t be easy overnight. This is what they could do to hit the pockets and ensure the break-down of the economy. The freezing of assets and state reserves has damaged the economy. The fiscal re-assurance isn’t there. Though the buying of gas and oil is keeping it afloat.

That is why the EU and the West needs to consider to do more and target it even better. Just like Zelensky said. This they should do in solidarity to the people of Ukraine and for a justified cause of territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. Peace.

Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 28 March 2022 (29.03.2022)

Russia: Zakharova spells doom and gloom over the West because of the sanctions…

The results of a European Council meeting, held jointly with the US leadership, confirmed once again that the collective West needs Ukraine which is fully under the control of Washington and is gripped by Russophobia only as a geopolitical battering ram against Russia” (…) “While declaring the readiness for new anti-Russian restrictions, Brussels forgets to add that their approval will be advantageous only for the US, that gains on the outflow of capitals from the EU, on an increase in supplies to the European markets of their arms and liquefied natural gas at jaw-dropping prices” (…) “Through their actions, officials in Brussels are in fact undermining the economy of European Union countries” (…) “They doom rank-and-file Europeans to the demolition of a socially oriented economic model, to life in conditions of exorbitant prices for electricity and fuel, cuts in social payments in favor of military budgets, galloping inflation and mass unemployment” – Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (28.03.2022).

The ironies of this uttering is ridiculous … as the sanctions are hitting the Russian financial market and the possibility for trading with the West and the United States of America. That the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zakharova is doing this to spread fear. Like the sanctions are supposed to backfire and the European Union (EU) isn’t considering the implications, the prices and possible inflation.

Zakharova can say these things… but Europeans know they will pay a price over the sanctions. Many are prepared for it and also know it is coming. Everyone can see it from a mile away. It is inevitable, as the sanctions and the lack of gas to the market. The prices will become higher and the EU Member States has to subsidize and find other solutions to fill in the gap. This is why we know it isn’t an overnight solution or find a measure that can solve the energy crisis this has created.

However, it isn’t doom and gloom yet. The EU and the Member States are finding new measures and means to an end. It isn’t like they want to be addicted to the Russian oil and gas anymore. They know the consequences of buying it and feeding the Russian state with this foreign currency. It makes the Russian state able to fight illegal wars like the one in Ukraine.

Zakharova acts like the EU and NATO isn’t amping up the Military Budgets in reference to the war itself in Ukraine. That is connected to the war and as a reaction to the invasion of Ukraine. This is all inter-connected… and it is not like coincidence that the EU nations does it now. They are seeing the bombing, destruction and the war that Russia is willing to do. Therefore, the nations are in association and seeing the need to address it with higher military budgets. Because, they fear that Russia might find reasons to target others…

So, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs better find arguments that can be validated. Nevertheless, I don’t expect it….

Zakharova thinks the Europeans will believe the propaganda and Kremlin messaging. Well, I hate to break it too you, but we won’t. That is not happening. This is empty words with no flair or finesse. It is just like the spokeswoman doesn’t think EU and U.S. can prepare or consider the implications of what they are doing. Like they are foolish with no mechanisms or even studying the sort of backlash a sanction package could have on themselves. It is just like no one else thinks… but Putin and the mighty Kremlin.

I beg to differ, but that is maybe just me. Zakharova is trying to spread fear… with doom and gloom. I am awaiting Armageddon and the sky is supposed to fall on our heads. Until that happens, I am sure Europeans can pay more for gas and electricity. While Russians can have empty supermarkets and try to get substitutions of Western products and the quick tanking of local economy, as a real consequence of the invasion of Ukraine. Peace.

Ukraine: Ministry of Defence – Operational Information on 06:00, 26.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion (26.03.2022)