February 21, 2022

Satellite imagery shows Russian ground forces dispersing to positions close to the Ukraine border

Source: CNN

New satellite imagery shows intensified activity among Russian units close to Ukraine's northeastern border, with units that were in garrisons appearing to take up field positions.

The satellite images were collected by Maxar on Sunday.

Maxar assesses that "multiple new field deployments of armored equipment and troops have been observed northwest of Belgorod and near Soloti and Valuyki, Russia."

These towns are within 35 kilometers (around 21 miles) of the Russian border with Ukraine.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-20-22-intl/h_fdd7237c6a56d5cae85ade2b3d70d3ea

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A satellite image shows an overview of helicopter deployments at Valuyki, Russia on February 20. (Maxar Technologies)

February 21, 2022

Mysterious 'Z' Painted on Russian Tanks Closing in on Ukraine Border

Source: Daily Beast

While the world continues to watch Russian troops mass and maneuver at Ukraine’s vast borders, an esoteric group of investigative journalists and military experts are focusing on an ominous “Z” that has started appearing on military hardware heading towards Ukraine.

Video posted on social media has shown hundreds more tanks, communications vehicles and rocket launchers bearing down on the border. Many of those captured on camera have been painted with a “Z” inside a large white square.

Bellingcat reporter Aric Toler, says his group has been monitoring Russian military symbols for the last eight years, but they have “no idea what they [the Zs] are” and haven’t seen them before. “So, assume the worst, I guess/fear,” he wrote on Twitter.

...

Others have speculated Russia is borrowing a play used in World War II by allies who used symbols to avoid friendly fire accidents since most Ukraine tanks are Soviet era and easily confused with Russia’s fleet. There is also speculation that the “Z” could stand for Russian enemy no. 1: Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, who has vowed he won’t be drawn into action by the saber rattling around his country.

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/z-painted-on-russian-tanks-and-military-vehicles-near-ukraine-border?ref=scroll

February 20, 2022

Maryland Lawmakers Consider Tax Relief on Diapers, Diabetes Care Products

NBC4 Washington
By Brian Witte

Lawmakers in the Maryland House of Delegates outlined a tax-relief package on Friday that would steer about $300 million over five years to working and middle class families, partly by cutting the state's sales tax on goods like diapers, car seats and diabetic care products.

House Speaker Adrienne Jones made the announcement with other House leaders and delegates who are sponsoring the legislation. The speaker said despite federal assistance to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the record amount of state relief approved last year, families are still struggling to make ends meet and afford basic necessities.

“As the price of basic goods continues to rise, it’s getting harder and harder for working families’ budgets to keep up with rising costs," said Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat. "It’s clear that any extra cash we can put back in the pockets of struggling Marylanders and boost their budgets makes a difference.”

Under one measure, the state's 6% sales tax would not apply to baby products like diapers, car seats and baby bottles. Another proposal exempts dental hygiene products like toothbrushes and toothpaste from the sales tax.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-lawmakers-consider-tax-relief-on-diapers-diabetes-care-products/2977521/

February 19, 2022

Effort to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent Passes Maryland House

NBC4Washington
By Gina Cook

The Maryland House has approved a bill that would end the biannual changing of the clocks to "fall back" and "spring forward" that Americans are accustom to observing — and dreading.

Democratic Del. Brian Crosby introduced HB 126, which would making Daylight Saving Time permanent, meaning Marylanders would keep their clocks set one hour ahead of standard time all year.

"Ending biannual clock-change will keep our circadian rhythms healthy, lower crime, and help small businesses," Crosby, who represents St. Mary's County, said on Twitter.

...

But even if the bill passes the Senate and Gov. Larry Hogan signs it, the legislation still has a major hurdle: changes to the federal Uniform Time Act. The law allows states to exempt themselves from observing Daylight Saving Time, but requires a change in federal law to remain on Daylight Saving Time year-round.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/effort-to-make-daylight-saving-time-permanent-passes-maryland-house/2977389/

YAY!

February 18, 2022

Russia Planning Post-Invasion Arrest and Assassination Campaign in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say

Foreign Policy.com
By Amy Mackinnon, Robbie Gramer, and Jack Detsch

The United States has obtained intelligence that Russia may target prominent political opponents, anti-corruption activists, and Belarusian and Russian dissidents living in exile should it move forward with plans to invade Ukraine, as U.S. President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that the threat of a renewed Russian invasion of the country remains “very high” and could take place within the next several days.

Four people familiar with U.S. intelligence said that Russia has drafted lists of Ukrainian political figures and other prominent individuals to be targeted for either arrest or assassination in the event of a Russian assault on Ukraine.

A fifth person, a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the United States has been downgrading its intelligence classification regarding threats to specific groups within Ukraine to share this information with Ukrainian government officials and other partners in the region positioned to help.

A spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/18/russia-ukraine-arrest-assassination-invasion/

February 18, 2022

Second breakaway region in Ukraine organizes evacuation of civilians

Source: CNN

From CNN’s Tim Lister in Kyiv

The leader of the second self-declared republic in eastern Ukraine has announced that the evacuation of civilians to Russia is being organized. The announcement follows a similar move by the pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk.

Leonid Pasechnik, the most senior official in the Luhansk People's Republic, said in a statement that he had “due to the escalation of tension on the contact line, instructed the heads of the territories of the Republic to ensure the organized evacuation of the population ... and help the population in the delivery to border checkpoints.”

Pasechnik said “the Russian Federation is ready to provide organized reception and accommodation on its territory of residents of the Luhansk People's Republic.”

...

He accused Ukrainian forces of violating the ceasefire regime 29 times in the last day and listed 13 towns that he said had been shelled.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-18-22-intl/index.html

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This is the start of the false flag operation.

February 18, 2022

Civilians in rebel-held Donetsk 'to be evacuated'

Source: BBC News

People in the rebel-held city of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, will be evacuated to Russia, the area's leader has said.

Denis Pushilin, who is head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), announced on social media that Russia had agreed to provide accommodation for people leaving.

Women, children and the elderly should be evacuated first, he added.

...

The US and its allies have raised concerns that rising violence in the Donbas region could form part of a Russian pretext to invade Ukraine.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60428211

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Analysis: Evacuations troubling as disinformation swirls

Paul Adams
BBC diplomatic correspondent

The announcement by Denis Pushilin that women, children and the elderly will be evacuated to Russia is, potentially, a very troubling development.

The idea that an evacuation is needed because Ukraine is planning an attack on the two Russian-backed self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk is baseless.

With a vast chunk of Russia's military might positioned around Ukraine's borders, such an attack would be an act of lunacy. It is, quite simply, unthinkable.

But the separatists, and Moscow, want to create the impression of imminent danger. Yesterday, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the situation around Russia's borders could ignite at any moment.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60428211

February 16, 2022

US officials are watching new bridge construction in key area in Belarus

CNN
From CNN's Katie Bo Lills, Natasha Bertrand, Tim Lister and and Paul Murphy

Satellite images taken over the past two days show new road construction and a tactical bridge being built across a key river in Belarus less than four miles from the Ukrainian border, amid what sources say is an ongoing buildup of Russian military forces encircling three sides of Ukraine.

Western intelligence and military officials are closely tracking the construction as part of the support infrastructure Russia is putting in place in advance of a potential invasion, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

Both the new road construction and the bridge, across the Pripyat River in southern Belarus, are less than four miles from the border and could be used by Russian forces currently in Belarus in a drive to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. The satellite images, from Maxar and Planet, show the appearance of the pontoon bridge virtually overnight on Tuesday.

Russia is building “bridges, field hospitals, all kinds of support infrastructure,” said one source familiar with the matter. “Which is why we aren’t really taking seriously their claims of de-escalation."

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-16-22-intl/index.html

February 16, 2022

US Kremlin backers seek to undermine Joe Biden

BBC
By Tara McKelvey
BBC News, Washington

A small but politically vocal portion of the American electorate that admires Vladimir Putin's muscular policies is seeking to undermine US President Joe Biden's efforts to stand up to the Russian president.

Mr Biden has threatened to impose crushing economic sanctions on Moscow amid a build-up of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border. Many, in loud whispers, say that Mr Putin plans an invasion.

But activists on the hard-right - and a few on the hard-left - of the US political spectrum say that it is Mr Biden who is "warmongering".

Arch-conservative voters who take this view are pressuring members of Congress to take a conciliatory tone towards Russia, tamp down rhetoric and refuse authorisation to send troops to the region. They are also working to elect Republican candidates who have publicly stated that they will not intervene in Ukraine.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60297302

TRAITORS

February 15, 2022

Thank you, anonymous DUer, for the lovely heart

I am deeply touched.