RUNNING UPDATES ON THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE - 18.02.2023
RUNNING UPDATES ON THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE - 18.02.2023
Including geopolitical issues affecting the balance of power in the ongoing end game war to establish our common future, a closely monitored prison planet or tolerance for diverse modes of governance.
THE ROAD TO THE ULTIMATE CONCLUSION OF WORLD WAR III RUNS THROUGH HERE.
*** RUSSIA WAS <ALWAYS> GOING TO WIN THIS ***
…………
“Ukraine. What is the truth...?
Why won’t western media tell both sides…?”
***
THE UNREPORTED ATROCITY IN LUGANSK, 2 JUNE 2014
A lot has been said about atrocities in the western media claimed to have been perpetrated by the Russians, for example at Bucha and Mariupol among others. These assertions are conveyed on the say so of the Ukrainian authorities. How willing though are western news broadcasters to convey atrocities attributed to the Ukrainians? The following will I think provide the answer.
If anyone wonders if they are receiving accurate coverage of the conflict in Ukraine I would suggest watching the video below of an event which occurred on the 2nd of June 2014 and ask themselves if they recall hearing about it on any mainstream media news channel at the time.
The video is harrowing to watch. The bodies (five women and three men) are real. Yet across western media there was only one single news report that occurred a day later. This was from CNN and occurred only because a CNN team happened to be nearby at the time of the atrocity and so the network could hardly ignore it as all others so obviously did.
The video below shows the unvarnished truth that was not considered newsworthy in western mainstream news.
…………
Lead feature:
RAGE AGAINST THE WAR MACHINE
***
Latest update on events within Ukraine and their knock-on effects on the western world, by Alexander Mercouris of ‘The Duran’. (204k subscribers):
Russia Bakhmut Pincer Closing, Paraskovievka Captured, Approaches Kupiansk; Macron No Regime Change.
***
‘Redacted’ (1.72 million subscribers):
The Rage Against The War Machine Rally in D.C. could bring back the anti-war movement in America.
***
‘The Convo Couch’ (47.2k subscribers):
Rage Against the War Machine Pre Rally #1 w/ Don, Reed & Pasta.
***
'Peoples Podcast' (21,1k subscribers):
Rage Against The War Machine - Nick Braña (The nuclear abyss).
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Wyatt Reed.
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Scott Ritter.
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Jimmy Dore.
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Max Blumenthal
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Chris Hedges.
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Jeffrey Sachs.
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Col. Douglas MacGregor.
*
Rage Against The War Machine - Kim Iversen.
***
Latest update from Alex Christoforou of ‘The Duran’ (159k subscribers):
David and Goliath in Munich. Macron's victory plan. Latvia confiscated cars to Ukraine. U/1
*
'Going Underground' (919 subscribers):
Jimmy Dore on Russia vs NATO: The US War Machine is Out of Control, The USA Are World’s Terrorists!
***
'George Galloway' (264k subscribers):
INTERVIEW: Rage against the war machine. #NickBrana and the coalition of the unwilling.
***
'Diane Sare' (3.04k subscribers):
Rage Against the War Machine! Be there! 2/19!
***
‘The Grayzone’ (261k subscribers):
Upcoming DC antiwar rally unites political factions
***
'Due Dissidence' (6.16k subscribers):
Chris Hedges DEFENDS Anti-War Rally, SMEARED by Socialist Web Site - w/ Misty Winston & Tusker.
***
‘U.S.’ Tour of Duty’ (28.1k subscribers):
Scott Ritter Extra Ep. 46: Ask the Inspector.
***
'RealTruthTalk' (5.93k subscribers):
Scott Ritter: Ukraine Power Struggle & Russia Demilitarization & Denazification
***
‘The Team House’ (66.2k subscribers):
CIA secrets and subterfuge: an unauthorized history | Tim Weiner | Ep. 193
***
'The Left Lens with Danny Haiphong' (43.2k subscribers):
Scott Ritter: Nord Stream Proves Germany and the EU Are PATHETIC Lapdogs of the US.
***
‘The Real Politick’ with Mark Sleboda’ (20.4k subscribers):
A Penicillin Cure for Ukraine: Russia's 1B75 Counter-Battery Radar System.
***
'usefulidiots' (70.2k subscribers):
Chris Hedges Rallies for a Left-Right Coalition.
***
‘Garland Nixon’ (45.5k subscribers):
UKRAINE - THE NEOCON RAT TRAP.
***
'The Dive with Jackson Hinkle' (214k subscribers):
Bakhmut retreat begins...
*
Lavrov FIRES BACK.
*
ISIS Joins Ukrainian Military.
***
'ShanghaiEye魔都眼' (130k subscribers):
Putin lauds gas giant Gazprom, says natural gas will be key global resource for years to come.
***
'The Left Lens with Danny Haiphong' (43.4k subscribers):
The Duran: Russia is Prepared for a LONG WAR with NATO in Ukraine.
***
'Richard Medhurst' (162k subscribers):
NO TO NATO, NO TO WAR! | Rally in London February 25! #NO2NATO.
***
'ANDREWNEF' (4.77k subscribers):
John Mearsheimer | How AMERICA Bullies The World...
*
John Mearsheimer | What NOBODY TOLD YOU About Liberalism...
*
John Mearsheimer | America: MASK OFF.
***
'Djuki San' (39k subscribers):
Maria Zakharova - Victoria Nuland, stop teaching the whole world how to live.
***
'The Jimmy Dore Show' (1.14k subscribers):
'The Jimmy Dore Show' Biden BLOCKED Ukraine Peace Deal – Says Fmr Israeli Prime Minister.
*
Biden Is Freezing Germans On Purpose! – Says Pulitzer-Winning Journalist
***
‘Malcolm Burn’ (658k subscribers):
The Long Way Around Interview -George Galloway V2.
***
'TFIGlobal' (430k subscribers):
Ukraine war has turned into battle for one upmanship.
***
'Redacted' (1.72 million subscribers):
This DISASTER is much worse than they're telling us, could last decades | Redacted News.
***
'Info Defense' (216 subscribers):
Ukrainian soldier speaks about senselessness of war in Ukraine between brother nations. 🤔
***
'Djuki San' (39k subscribers):
Maria Zakharova - On the Ukrainian crisis (February 17, 2023).
***
'George Galloway' (246k subscribers):
STURGEON’S LAW meant a double rapist went to female prison.
***
'The Tulsi Gabbard Show' (135k subscribers):
No free speech in the C-suite: The firing of Levi’s President Jen Sey.
***
‘Jeffrey Sachs’ (11.3k subscribers):
US-China insane foreign policy.
***
Article from Russia Today (RT) - 18th February 2023:
Ukraine tells ‘patriotic civilians’ to leave Russian city.
“Sane, law-abiding” people should evacuate Artyomovsk immediately, Kiev has urged.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk has warned civilians who remained in the Russian city of Artyomovsk to leave immediately. The official expressed surprise that thousands of people reportedly remain in the area as Kiev’s troops attempt to hold it.
“Frankly, I wonder what 6,000 civilians are still doing there,” Vereshchuk wrote on Facebook on Friday. “If you are a sane, law-abiding and patriotic citizen, you should evacuate immediately.”
The politician argued that by remaining in the city, civilians are risking their own lives and those of the people trying to help them, and are standing in the way of Ukrainian troops fighting in the area.
Last week, the authorities in Kiev announced further restrictions on access to Artyomovsk, which is known as Bakhmut by Ukraine. Starting from Monday, only civilians with special single-day permits are allowed in, and only military-accredited journalists qualify for entry.
There has been intense fighting for several weeks for the control of the city, which is in the People’s Republic of Donetsk and forms part of the Donbass defense line prepared for years by Kiev. Russian troops have made advances, and according to reports have significantly disrupted Ukraine’s ability to resupply troops in the city.
Washington has downplayed the importance of Artyomovsk to the broader situation on the battlefield. Even if the city were to fall, “it would not have a strategic impact on the overall war,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said this week.
The US government has reportedly urged Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to withdraw troops and prepare for a future counteroffensive. However, the Washington Post reported this week that Zelensky refuses to do so because he “attaches symbolic importance” to the city and fears a setback to morale, should it be surrendered.
MAPPING/ANALYSIS CHANNELS
* Updates will be added here as and when they become available.
LATEST UPDATE FROM DIMA OF THE MILITARY SUMMARY CHANNEL (85.4k subscribers):
Ukraine. Military Summary And Analysis 2023.02.18
*
KEEP IT SECRET NEWS CHANNEL (1.51k subscribers):
No update posted so far today
*
'NWE WAR REPORTS' (30.2k subscribers):
No update posted so far today
*
LATEST UPDATE FROM DEFENSE POLITICS ASIA (55.5k subscribers):
[ Ukraine SITREP ] Day 358-359 (16-17/2):
*
LATEST UPDATE FROM 'DPA War’ (22.8k subscribers):
[ Bakhmut Front ] Wagner PMC captured Paraskoviivka and most of hill NW of Berkhivka; reach Yahidne.
*
LATEST UPDATE BY THETI MAPPING (21.5k subscribers):
No update posted so far today
*
LATEST UPDATE FROM ‘WAR IN UKRAINE’ (35.6k subscribers):
No update posted so far today
*
LATEST UPDATE BY ‘BALKAN MAPPING’ (135k subscribers):
No update posted so far today
*
LATEST UPDATE BY THE ‘MILITARY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS NETWORK’ (57.1k subscribers):
Battlefield Ukraine The Gods of War.
*
LATEST UPDATE FROM ‘RYBAR’:
❗️🇷🇺🇺🇦🎞 Rybar Daily Digest of the Special Military Operation: February 17, 2023
*
LATEST UPDATE FROM ‘M MAPPING’ (4.42k subscribers):
No update posted so far today
*
LATEST UPDATE FROM WEEB UNION (59.2k subscribers):
Full Front Update 18/02/23 | Analysis of Upcoming Russian Encirclement & Breakthrough of Bakhmut.
*
No update posted so far today
***
Detailed situation reports can be found on a daily basis concerning events in Ukraine over the past 24 hours at the ‘A SKEPTIC’ Substack account:
Link to 'A SKEPTIC' Substack channel.
***
SUPPORTING SCOTT RITTER
I've been listening to Scott Ritter describe how things are for him and I suspect have been for him for quite some time now.
He has been doing a LOT of unpaid work with a great many interview requests coming in that he has been ready and willing to agree to. But the work where receives some pay for have suffered due to this, being left until the wee small hours of the night to complete work on.
Scott, I think you will agree, has been one of the most influential voices out there on Russia and Ukraine.
I was moved by Scott's words to take an annual subscription to his Substack account that he runs in coordination with his colleague on 'U.S. Tour of Duty', Jeff Norman. This is the main way that Scott recommends to help him with finances with which to upgrade his delivery of comment on Russia and Ukraine, via a better microphone etc. and perhaps the creation of a recording studio in his basement to create a more professional and impressive look. To invest in these things he would like to be sure that this has a viable financial future.
Would you also like to help by subscribing at one of the various levels to Scott's Substack account? I hope so. If so the link is here:
Below you'll find the edited part of the video where Scott talks of his commitments to get the facts out on events in Ukraine and of the finances that would come in handy to enhance their delivery:
***
VICTORY BELONGS TO RUSSIA: IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
Each day that passes makes a conclusive Russian victory in the Donbass and beyond more certain. As Russia bolsters her forces, and weaponry, those of Ukraine decrease. Russian forces gain ready access to rest and recuperation as troop numbers increase. The increasingly exhausted and demoralised Ukrainian troops have an ever decreasing prospect of such respite. This situation is likely to bring them to complete breakdown as Russia unleashes the firepower of the more modern and advanced weaponry that is arriving with the newly mobilised Russian troops.
The various Ukrainian offensives are now weak when confronted by the reinforced Russian lines. A few futile efforts achieve quite miserable results before fire reigns down on the Ukrainian troops and they are forced back to their starting positions.
And now, all this being said, we have arrived at the wet, and later, freezing conditions where these pathetic Ukrainian forces will be subject to myriad forms of abject misery with death and injury all around them while they lie sodden or frozen, abandoned to their fate by Kiev.
The pitiable young and old of Ukraine have been frogmarched to their deaths as cannon-fodder while the bestial elites of the collective West urge their "president" to add more to their number there at the gates of Hell and their doom. We must feel for the majority of them as they are not the Nazis we revile, in most part they are decent men, fathers, sons, brothers, husband and uncles, who no doubt saw through the coup of 2014 for what it was. But sadly, their fate seems sealed.
Nothing will stop Russia now. Every factor favours them. Victory will be Russia's. In Donbass and beyond and in due course across the world.
Victory belongs to Russia: It is now only a matter of time.
UPDATES TO BE ADDED HERE AS AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
UPDATES TO BE ADDED HERE AS AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS
***\O/***
WE ARE APPROACHING THE END GAME IN THE DONBASS AND A LIKELY BLOODBATH
The final push by Russian forces to take and then permanently hold all that remains of the entire Donbass region is likely to begin within the next few days.
The coming battle will without doubt be fierce and the losses on both sides are likely to be considerable. This war is about to enter what is likely to be its bloodiest and even perhaps face to face combat stage at times where no quarter is given on either side.
It appears some of the Ukrainians forcibly mobilised and sent to the front, no doubt those who are among the less well trained and less committed, have begun to surrender themselves to the Russian forces, handing over their guns and equipment as they do so. Videos are surfacing showing the process of these troops being processed, adding their weapons to an ever growing pile.
Without doubt the Ukrainian authorities will have transferred as many heavy weapons including their HIMAR rocket launchers into position along the front line where Russia is expected within days to launch its attack. The number of troops they will have committed, of whatever quality and level of training, will certainly number many tens of thousands.
This will be the final battle for the Donbass. It is inconceivable that the remaining cities of Slovyansk/Slavjansk and Kramatorsk will not stand for long if the coming assault claims the remaining major conurbations in northern Donbass. On the other hand, if the Ukrainians somehow manage to withstand the assault by some manner of means, either by sheer force of numbers, local knowledge, or through the weaponry supplied by the West Russia will have been delivered a major setback.
If scenario one occurs then the rest of the Donetsk Oblast must surely fall to Russia within a few months or two after taking Bakhmut plus all the surrounding area. A pause is more than likely immediately to be called thereafter while mopping up operations are conducted and, as before, the troops involved are rested to prepare for the final push to take Slovyansk/Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
If scenario two transpires and Ukrainian forces beat back the Russian offensive I imagine some tough decisions will then be made concerning Russia finally deciding on at least another partial mobilisation. In addition the possibility of even further targeting of Ukraine’s electricity (and possibly gas) supply networks will be considered.
The following phase of conflict in Ukraine appears certain to be extremely bloody. The Ukrainian authorities however, and those behind them in the West appear dead set on continuing to fight on no matter how many casualties occur. The Russians who have a military history where negotiations take place while conflict rages have constantly expressed an interest in resolving the issues involved since 2014, and continue to seek conflict resolution to this day. However, there is no reciprocal response from the other side even though such an arrangement did exist in the early days of the conflict.
Neither side can afford to lose. And of course these sides are not simply one on one. Alongside the Ukrainians you have the entire collective west. The leaders of the West cannot afford to lose out to Russia. But equally the Russians cannot afford to lose out either, driving NATO from its doorstep and ending the ultra-nationalist Nazi-mentality so affecting a very sizeable minority in western Ukraine and leaving the citizens of the Donbass to their collective mercy is absolutely not an option. This is a fight to the death therefore, to the absolute defeat of one side or the other with (unless attendance at negotiations are agreed to by the Ukrainians) no way out but an orgy of death and destruction right to the bitter end.
***\O/***