The tactical situation hasn’t changed appreciably over the last day. The Russians are indiscriminately bombing and shelling major Ukrainian cities, while the Biden administration denies Ukraine aircraft vital to their defense.
The Ukrainians should ignore the US in this regard and seek that jet deal from the EU or one its members. Perhaps they will have greater guts then Joe Biden.
***
2.3 million people have left Ukraine as of Thursday, including 1 million children, according to UNICEF. They’ve gone to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Romania, a majority to Poland.
“The number of children on the move is staggering, an indication of how desperate the situation for children and families in Ukraine has become,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia. “Children are leaving everything they know behind in search of safety. This is heartbreaking.”
***
The exiled opposition leader of Belarus wants the West to hit Belarus harder with sanctions, as the state is a Russian partner in the invasion of Ukraine.
“Lukashenko has full responsibility for this attack on Ukraine,” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said at an event at London’s Chatham House thinktank. “I believe that it’s time for democracy to show its teeth, and it’s crucial to put diplomatic, economic and political pressure on the Belarus regime.” Tsikhanouskaya says that the Belarus military is under Russian control.
***
Wall Street is pulling out of Russia. “Goldman Sachs is winding down its business in Russia in compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements,” the bank told press. “We are focused on supporting our clients across the globe in managing or closing out pre-existing obligations in the market and ensuring the well-being of our people.”
***
Retired US Army Staff Sergeant and MOH recipient David Bellavia is not impressed with the Russian military. He thinks they will be cut up in upcoming urban warfare. “This is a humiliation. This is allegedly a world power that has top five military in the world. And look, for the outnumbered aspect that Russia has with material, technology and true power, why you would want to then take that into a house-to-house situation where it nullifies all that technology?” Bellavia said “home-field advantage is going to go to the defender.”
***
A Canadian sniper, reputed one of the best in the world, has joined the Ukrainian military. “I want to help them. It’s as simple as that,” said the man, only identified as Wali to protect his family’s safety, told CBC. “I have to help because there are people here being bombarded just because they want to be European and not Russian.”
***
“I insist: Russia must immediately withdraw forces from Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia NPPs to avert a disaster in Europe,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Met with IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi in Antalya to discuss ways of ensuring safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion. I insist: Russia must immediately withdraw forces from Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia NPPs to avert a disaster in Europe. pic.twitter.com/FvNxfCMLi6
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 10, 2022
***
The financial squeeze on the Russians is only just beginning. “On behalf of the Ukrainian government we will be asking stock exchanges to delist any company which continues to pay taxes in rubles, and investment funds to drop these stocks,” Maryan Zablotskyy, a member of the Ukrainian parliament’s finance committee told press.
“We have also asked US Congress on behalf of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Finance Committee to consider banning the trade shares of any company that pay taxes in rubles.
“Our people will be staging protests outside the New York Stock Exchange demanding it delist companies that pay taxes to the Russian government,” Zablotskyy told reporters.
***
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.