Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 8 April 2022 (09.04.2022)

Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 7 April 2022 (08.04.2022)

Russia: Medvedew calls the sanctions a “hybrid war” [as the EU embargo vodka, caviar etc… ]

Unlawful sanctions under certain circumstances can be qualified as an act of international aggression on the part of individual states or their unions” (…) “This is a declaration of economic war… It can be concluded that sanctions in the current situation can be qualified as an act of aggression against the Russian Federation, as one of the forms of hybrid war” – Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev (08.04.2022).

The European Union (EU) launched today the 5th Sanctions package in concern to the Russian Federation and Belarus. They have both a combination of things… which isn’t only embargoing coal to the EU. The newest package is severe, but not as bad some Members of European Parliament (MEP) even want to have. Therefore, sanctions isn’t aimed or stinging enough for some. The sanctions aren’t costing enough.

Nevertheless, the sanctions and packages are getting extensive. It is four more Russian banks that gotten a full transaction ban and asset freeze. Also, Russian oligarchs cannot have trusts to keep their wealth hidden in the EU. In addition, Russian nationals and entities are prohibited from getting procurement contracts within the Union.

We know things gets tougher when the EU orders an trade embargo on certain imports from Russia and Belarus:

Additional import bans – worth €5.5 billion – including cement, rubber products, wood, spirits (including vodka), liquor, high-end seafood (including caviar), and an anti-circumvention measure against potash imports from Belarus” (EU, 08.04.2022).

So, the Russians cannot sell vodka or caviar. This will hurt some industries within Russia and they are locked out of markets in EU. The Smirnoff Vodka and other brands will not been seen in the alcohol section from now on. The shelves will start to lack these things and certain goods will not even be able to find a substitute.

While the EU will not sell this to Russia: “Further targeted export bans – worth €10 billion – in areas in which Russia is vulnerable due to its high dependency on EU supplies. This includes, for example, quantum computing, advanced semiconductors, sensitive machinery, transportation and chemicals. It also includes specialist catalysts for use in the refinery industry” (EU, 08.04.2022). In addition to this, the EU will also not sell jet fuel and fuel additives, which could be used by the Russian army.

With that all being said… it is becoming restrictive and the measures are getting rougher. That is something it should be. However, they are not going all-in. The banks still have SWIFT and the Russian gas and oil is sold on the continent. The biggest reasons for trade is still there. The EU isn’t upping it’s game, but instead goes very calculative.

The Russian vodka can find other markets and be sold in other markets instead of the EU. The same can be said about the products, which is now embargoed. Therefore, the total scramble isn’t there and it’s hurting, but not biting.

Medvedev is just acting frustrated, because he knows this hurt the Russian industry and the exports. Some of the specialities even, which is vodka and caviar. These are their pride and joy. The type of products that is high value and oozing class.

The EU will not miss these things. The citizens can get similar things from elsewhere. Therefore, the ones losing here is Russia. That’s why Medvedev is so bitter about it and calls it war. Nevertheless, Russian businesses needs to change and they are paying the price over the illegal and brutal war in Ukraine. Peace.

Ukraine: Russian soldiers are now not allowed to receive calls from Ukraine or Belarus

The newest update on information control from the Russian army. Is that Russian soldier are blocked from accessing phone-calls from either Ukraine or Belarus. Also, they can also only read the Red Star Daily. That says it all about the need to control the troops and the moral. As they cannot access or even talk to people who either has been on the front-lines or the ones who is stationed in Belarus awaiting their turn. That is telling… and not a good look on the total confidence of the troops in battle and the ones who is coming up next.

Ukraine News states it like this:

Russia intensifies propaganda among the personnel of military training centers. This is stated in a letter from the Chief of Missile Troops and Artillery of the RF Armed Forces Mikhail Matveevsky to the heads of training centers. In particular, Matvievsky demands that the ban on answering calls and messages from telephone numbers with the codes “+375, +380” (Belarus, Ukraine) be brought to the attention of the personnel. If the call is accepted, everything said by the interlocutor is by definition perceived as a lie and a provocation (regardless of the content of the conversation). After that, block the number of the interlocutor on your phone, then contact the mobile network operator also to block the subscriber. Propaganda should also include an explanation of the “pros” of participating in the war with Ukraine. Namely, about social guarantees and increased payments. All Ukrainian and “other” resources are declared to distribute fakes and inaccurate information” (Ukraine News, 07.04.2022).

The news of the front-line in a war is supposed to inspire and be reasons to get people to fight the war. Especially, if the war is justified and have reasons for it. However, we know the Russian-Belorussian war in Ukraine isn’t that, but only of the Kremlin dream of having a puppet regime in-charge in Kyiv. Therefore, the whole ideals and selling the narrative has to be jaded… and it is…

While that being said… you know things aren’t smooth and going after plan. When the army and the command is blocking calls from the ones who are at the front-lines and the ones who are stationed in Belarus. That just shows how bad it is. The Russian army doesn’t want their troops to know the truth or what they are going into.

The war is brutal and the Russian war-machine has shown the world what it does to civilians, how it rapes, torture and kills innocent civilians in this war. How it targets the elites, the representatives and kidnaps them. While installing puppets and new leadership in the territories they occupy.

Therefore, the truth of these acts is certainly something that either terrifies or inspires someone awaiting their turn to combat. These are trained soldiers and conscripts who doesn’t know what is coming to them. Because, the state isn’t allowing them. That is now evident and the Russian media or press is only telling the narratives the Kremlin wants. It is why we can easily say… the Russian soldiers before entering the war is not knowing the reality of it and neither of what is awaiting them.

The warnings of Zelensky will not reach them. Even if he has it in his speeches nearly everyday. No, the Russian soldiers soldiers cannot even pick up the phone and dial possible family, friends or co-workers who could already be in combat in Ukraine. They are not allowed too and that is a sign of how badly the war has gone. Peace.

Russia: PepsiCo plans to expand their own “special operation” in Russia…

According to the newspaper Kommersant, whose journalists got acquainted with fragments of the company’s presentation, the organization wants to create new products with different names and packaging. In particular, the New Cola product was presented in various containers of different volumes. Under the Fruitz brand, orange and lime flavored drinks were introduced” (…) “In addition, the company wants to expand the local brand Russky Dar, which currently produces only kvass. However, PepsiCo plans to expand the range with carbonated drinks in different flavors” (Viktor Bazhenov – ‘PepsiCo plans to create special products for Russia’ 07.04.2022, Komsomolskaja Pravda).

While other Western Companies and Brands are suspending their operations in Russia. As the sanctions and outrage of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. There are about 200 companies that has either ceased, suspended or stopped to invest in the Russian market. That has been done as a result of the brutal war in Ukraine. This is being done because of the issues of transactions, lack of business opportunities or to get positive publicity in the West.

That’s why it’s very interesting that the soft-drink maker and conglomerate Pepsi Corporation who earlier this year suspended their production of Pepsi, SevenUp and Mirinda. Now has other plans and creating a new strategy. That is clearly to circumvent and get a bigger market share in the Russian Federation. As other Western soft-drink makers like Coca-Cola and others stopped producing sodas and beers in Russia.

After the other corporations and businesses has ceased or suspended their operations in Russia. There will be openings and possibilities from a business stand-point. In a way of filling the gap and finding new parts of the beverage market that PepsiCo can fill. From a direct business view it makes sense, but from a publicity angel it sucks.

The Pepsi Corporation is trading, earning profits and ensuring a bigger tax-base, which is good news for Kremlin and President Putin. This is supporting and making sure the Russian economy is going. That there is products to trade, people is getting salaries and such. This is a dream for a dictator to have a company of this stature to do this.

Yes, they did suspend the production of the world-wide famous soft-drinks, but they plan to make other special ones for the Russian market. That will be in addition to the Kvass. This is an deliberate attempt to get a bigger profits and ensure viability in the Russian Federation. That is really it and it’s being a token soldier of the Russian war-machine. They are trading, investing and finding ways of profiting in a marginal space without any preconditions.

PepsiCo is by doing so. They would stand up to huge scrutiny, as they are willing to earn blood money by association and by their decision to not only uphold certain products, but to add and create new ones. This is creating own products and soft-drinks catering to the Russian market. Securing them a vast market and huge profits in the middle of a war. That is it really and what they are willing to do.

The PepsiCo will be renowned by many. Their legacy of these drinks will be in the letter of “Z” and the association will be looked that way. The Ukrainian war and the lack of solidarity there will also be seen. As the corporation only dipped a minute and later found new avenues for furthering their business operation in Russia. The PepsiCo is more into long term gains than the dwelling into the problematic ideals of doing this.

The yellow and blue colours of Ukraine will clearly not matter to PepsiCo. They rather have a “special operation” of their own in the Russian market. Peace.

Ukraine: Vefhofstadt MEP wants more aggressive EU Sanctions…

In Brussels and the European Parliament… there is voices of reason as the European Union is releasing the 5th Package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. As the Russian-Belorussia invasion is on the 41st Day in Ukraine. The brutality and the acts of war is vile from the Russian forces within Ukraine. There is no mercy and Kyiv is burning. The Ukrainian state is bleeding… and European Union should sanction thereafter.

What the Member of European Parliament Guy Vefhofstadt is saying is so needed. The way and manner of which his reacting is resounding. Hopefully most of Europe listens to this, as the EU is putting forward their meagre 5th Package of Sanctions against the Russian Federation. That it’s implication is close to zero and is a lot of hot air. That is clear by the reasoning of the MEP.

Here is what he said earlier today!

You know why strategy doesn’t work? Because progressive packages of sanctions, with an autocrat, doesn’t work. That works with an democracy, with democrats who have a public opinion, a real public opinion. In Russia there is no longer a real public opinion. The reality is that it doesn’t work, because the fifth package is, what, coal. It’s ridiculous, it’s only three percent of imports from Russia. Swift, the ban, ridiculous. More than 50 percent of the financial institutions are still outside the ban. And oligarchs… The oligarchs, yes, we extend a little bit the oligarchs. The oligarchs will escape finally the sanctions, or lose a little bit of their money. You need to tackle the 6000 people around Putin, the real people working with Putin. And we have the list, Alexei Navalny, foundation of Navalny has made the list of 6000 people. These people you need to tackle. And so I have a request to you. I’m sorry that I’m telling it to you because I think that 90 percent of you agree with me. I’m pretty sure about that. So I wanted to say it to Michel and to Von der Leyen. In the name of 212: it’s time to change your strategy. It’s time to have an extra European Council as fast as possible, and to go for the full package of sanctions immediately, so that you can really make a difference. All the rest will not work. All the rest will prolong the war. All the rest will mean more killings on Ukrainian side. And finally, a little advice to my friends in Germany. I think after the horrors of the Second World War there has emerged – I’m finishing – a strong and democratic Germany, a very strong and democratic Germany. But from such a Germany I expect leadership. Leading by example and not dragging their feet, as we see it today” Guy Verhofstadt, MEP (06.04.2022).

The former Belgian Prime Minister and MEP speaks his heart out. He is surely tired of the bickering and the lacking results of the previous 4 packages from the EU. As an MEP and a former head of state. He wants to see results and actually help Ukraine. Not only doing lip-service and signs of solidarity.

Alas, the MEP wants to do things that really hurt Kremlin and the people around Putin. Not just damage certain industries or have some smaller collateral damage, which doesn’t even implicate the ones in power in Moscow. That’s why the European Council should reconsider their strategy, because Putin and Kremlin isn’t afraid. They are not really touched by this…

It is time to do it… the vile and war-crimes of Russia inside Ukraine should get a proper retaliation from the EU. If they are concerned about the lives of Ukraine. That is if they want Russian Federation to be really touched and not only lose minor percentages. Which is what the EU is doing now and for the fifth time. This is why the Russians aren’t stopping or losing steam. No, they are just brushing it off.

Since, Europe is still buying gas and funding the war-chest. While giving away small tokens and help to Ukraine. They are helping both parties to prolong the war, but not helping the one with what it needs in the middle of war. Instead, they are prolonging the agony… and people are dying endlessly.

The EU could do what the MEP says, but I wouldn’t count on it. If it didn’t cost the EU and the implications of it… the EU would have sanctioned this yesterday. That’s why EU will do it as a last resort, but not expect them to do it. That’s why Putin has the upper-hand and his gamble has paid off. Europeans will not risk losing the energy dependency and stop buying Russian gas. Therefore, the Russian Federation will not default and they will get funding to continue the war. Peace.

Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 5 April 2022 (06.04.2022)

Ukraine: Zelensky’s plea for more weapons and stronger sanctions from the West

Well, not exactly participates… Tries to block everything constructive and use global architecture in order to spread lies and justify the evil it does. I’m sure the world sees it. I hope the world will draw conclusions. Otherwise there will be only one institution left in the world to guarantee the security of states. Namely – weapons” (Zelensky, 06.04.2022).

President Volodymyr Zelensky has come out with another speech in the midst of war. The 41st day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. The war continues even after the retreats in Kyiv oblast. The Russians are still using their barbaric means in Donbass and elsewhere. The Ukrainian President has held this plea before and it is still so true.

We know the Czech Republic and Estonia have offered more weapons and military equipment. There is reports of support from the European Union and United States. Though they are careful with the types of military support and at what basis. Clearly, they are not considering what the arms and the possible support could do for Kyiv against Moscow. As Ukraine is on the front-line against furthering the war-machine of Russia.

Because it is hard to believe that Kremlin and Russia only wants Ukraine under their occupation. No, if history has learned us anything. The Russian leaders would like to re-invent the USSR and take other neighbour counties as well. Meaning the Ukrainians could only be the beginning. Thats’ why Zelensky’s statement today is also so power.

When the President speaks of sanctions and what is needed to stop the war-machine:

We are preparing a new package of powerful sanctions against Russia for everything it has done to our people. Now is a crucial moment, especially for Western leaders. And this is no longer about how our people will evaluate the new sanctions and what I will say about them. This is about how decisions on sanctions will be assessed in Western societies themselves. After what the world saw in Bucha, sanctions against Russia must be commensurate with the gravity of the occupiers’ war crimes. If after that Russian banks will still be able to function as usual… If after that the transit of goods to Russia will continue as usual… If after that the EU countries will pay for Russian energy resources as usual… Then the political fate of some leaders will develop not as usual. My advice to everyone: feel now that the moment is really crucial” (Zelensky, 06.04.2022).

We know that the gas and energy exports is feeding the Russian state. The Russians are getting lot of currency and profits from the sale of gas to Europe. The Europeans are indirectly paying and securing the funds of the Russian war-machine. The Europeans and the West might feel vindicated because of the previous packages of sanctions. However, these has not stopped or made enough effect to worry Kremlin. President Putin can get away it and use his extreme nationalism to further the campaign in Ukraine. Therefore, the sanctions has no value of today and after 41 days… they are only trying to stifle and stop, but they have not blocked the Russian from important sectors, which could have bankrupted the state much quicker.

He ends with a message to Russian soldiers:

We are aware that the occupiers outnumber us. That they have more equipment. We are aware of the attempts by Russian leaders to recruit new fools all over Russia among cadets of military schools, people with combat experience and conscripts to send them all to slaughter in another offensive. But we have no other choice – the fate of our land and our people is being decided. We know what we are fighting for. And we do everything to win” (Zelensky, 06.04.2022).

The Russian soldiers should be warned. The Ukrainian forces has proven this. As they have been able to stagnate and stop the Russian war-machine. That’s why the Russians had to change strategy. Because, the Ukrainian forces are able to outmanoeuvre them. This is why they have been able to fight and compete for so long. However, the Western government didn’t to further their support and give the army support to Ukraine. It is necessary so that Ukraine can continue to fight. Yes, the Western power and EU has given some, but they could give more. Especially, since they are not willing to help with the MIG-29 Jets or a “No-Fly-Zone”. They need to give better and more advanced equipment, which can counter the Russians. Just like the Turkish drones has helped the war-effort to hit Russian convoys towards Ukraine. Peace.

Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 4 April 2022 (05.04.2022)

Ukraine: Russians call the Bucha massacre “fake and staged” as Medvedev supporters this narrative…

An aircraft picture taken from a computer game. A drone downed by a jar of pickles. ‘Dead heroes’ who surrendered to a Russian warship. A Mariupol maternity home. And now Bucha” (…) “it’s all fake news hatched by the cynical imagination of Ukrainian propaganda-makers” (…) “Numerous PR agencies and ‘troll factories’ sponsored by Western governments and their tame non-profits and NGOs get a lot of money for cooking it all up” (…) “enraged beasts from nationalist battalions and territorial defense forces are ready to casually kill their own civilians in a bid to dehumanize Russia and tarnish its image as much as possible” – Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev (05.04.2022).

It is really sick to say this… however… nobody should be shocked by this in 2022. The Russian forces has said they didn’t target civilians while sending missiles, artillery shots and bombing civilian targets. That is well known now and evident by how the Russian-Belorussian forces has acted since the invasion of Ukraine.

Medvedev is just showing what Kremlin and Moscow is willing to do. They are willing to be a barbaric occupying force in Kyiv oblast. Still, while they are leaving and the dead is left to rot on the streets. The Russian media and spokespeople are either saying it indirectly the victims fault or done by the Ukrainians themselves.

Why would Kyiv administration loot, rape and destroy their own territory? Why would the Ukrainian government kill the elderly, innocent civilians and torture them?

Why would anyone do that to their own to score points in international media?

That sound foolish and it is… it makes more sense for the invading forces to detain, torture and kill civilians to insight fear and go after the ones who is defiant against their rule. As the Ukrainians would resist the invading forces and it would be a means of retaliation against a hostile population. That was the case here and people clearly suffered under the reign of Russian forces in Kyiv oblast.

This is why it’s disgusting for Medvedev to say it’s staged and propaganda. Yes, there was news of the Snake Island and their demise early in the war. That has been refuted and the ones who was stationed on the island came back to Ukraine in a prisons exchange. Therefore, that is justified to question. However, the videos, the clips and what has come out of Bucha is different.

The same can be said about Irpin, Hostomel and Bucha. As well as other suburbs, towns and cities in Ukraine, which has been under control of Russian forces. The Russian army who is not forgiving and showing mercy. No, the Russians have bombed, destroyed and looted since entering Ukraine. They have raped, kidnapped, tortured and killed civilians as well. That will all be on record and for the International Criminal Court to decide what is war-crimes and not.

Medvedev and the like will defend Russia, but it doesn’t make it more true. That is their propaganda and lies to distort the picture of what is going down. So, that people will not accept or take it as facts. Because, who wants to detain, torture and kill their own for a publicity stunt? How sick are you?

That just shows what sort of narratives and where the Kremlin are these days. When the defenders of the war or “Special Operation” speaks like this. As the pictures, the brutality of the Russian forces is exposed to the world. Peace.