Europe Prepares For Millions Of Ukrainian Refugees

New York Times/DNYUZ: Europe prepares for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees as aid groups warn of a crisis 

BRUSSELS — Humanitarian groups have warned of a major crisis for millions of people in Ukraine if Russia further invades, and the European Union says it is preparing for large numbers of displaced people if a full-on conflict breaks out. 

The European commissioner for migration, Ylva Johansson, said during a visit to Poland on Tuesday that the European Union and experts working for her in Brussels were drawing up plans on how to respond to a possible large-scale arrival of Ukrainian refugees.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Romania prepared to accept 500K Ukrainian refugees, official says (The Hill)  

Update #2: Hungary to deploy troops near its border with Ukraine -defence ministry (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: I have already talked to (and made arrangements with) all of my closest friends and contacts in Europe on what can we do together if war breaks out and refugees start to flood Europe. 

Been trying all day to get information from the Canadian government if they have set up anything to accommodate a flood of Ukrainian refugees if war breaks out. So far no one knows if there is a plan. 

Sighhh ... it looks like the Canadian government is asleep at the wheel.

What Is The Mood On The Streets Of Ukraine?

 

Daily Mail: 'It's awful to think people who survived WWII in their youth have fallen victim in old age to the insanity of a mad man': Ian Birrell encounters fear, fatalism and defiance on the streets of Kiev 

Vadim was walking his pug dog when we met yesterday morning. The sky was blue, the sun shone and the park in front of Kiev's main drama theatre was filled with parents pushing prams past a few elderly folk sitting on benches. 

The scene, with its feeling of springtime, could scarcely have been more peaceful. Yet, like countless others of his fellow citizens, the 21-year-old engineering student is steeling himself for war. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is the feedback that I am getting from my family and friends in Ukraine (specifically Kiev, Kharkiv, Odessa, and Lviv). 

Everyone is not in a talkative mood. But I have the gift of making people talk, and when they do open up I am receiving this.

A sense of shock on what is happening. A lot of resignation that this is all inevitable. Frustration, anger, regrets, and fear. A lot of fear. And a lot of thanks when I tell them my home is open for them  and financial help if necessary.

And as to what are my own personal emotions. 

Resignation. Regrets that I cannot do more. And a lot of fear that if war does break out, it may quickly spread beyond the boundaries of Ukraine and into a global conflict that will engulf us all.

Nationwide State Of Emergency Declared In Ukraine. All Reservists Have Been Drafted

 

Reuters: Ukraine declares state of emergency, summons citizens home from Russia 

* Kyiv declares state of emergency from Thursday, calls up reservists 

* EU adds Russian lawmakers to blacklist * Britain to stop selling Russian sovereign debt 

* EU leaders to hold emergency summit 

KYIV/DONETSK, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and told its citizens in Russia to flee, while Moscow began evacuating its Kyiv embassy in the latest ominous signs for Ukrainians who fear an all-out Russian military onslaught. 

Shelling intensified at the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, where Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of two Moscow-backed rebel regions this week and has ordered the deployment of Russian troops as "peacekeepers". 

But there was still no clear indication of whether he plans to follow that up with a massed assault on Ukraine involving the tens of thousands of troops he has gathered near his neighbour's borders.  

Read more .... 

Nationwide State Of Emergency Declared In Ukraine. All Reservists Have Been Drafted  

Ukraine declares state of emergency, tells citizens to leave Russia -- The Hill  

Ukraine starts drafting reservists aged 18-60 after president's order -- Reuters  

Ukraine president orders reservists to be drafted -- The Hill  

Ukraine to bring in state of emergency amid Russia tensions -- CNN  

Ukraine announces nationwide state of emergency as Russia evacuates diplomats from Ukraine -- ABC News Australia  

Ukraine crisis: Kyiv urges citizens to leave Russia as fears mount -- BBC

Ukraine calls emergency, urges citizens to leave Russia; Putin marks military holiday -- UPI

Ukraine calls up reservists, plans national emergency declaration as U.S. and allies hit Russia with new sanctions -- CBS

Russia-Ukraine Live Updates

 

Russia-Ukraine Live Updates  

Ukraine crisis live: Nato accuses Russia of trying to ‘rewrite entire global security architecture’ -- The Guardian  

Live: World facing moment of peril over Ukraine - UN -- BBC  

The Latest on the Ukraine Crisis -- AP  

Russia-Ukraine live updates and latest news -- Washington Post  

Russia-Ukraine Live News: Video and Latest Updates -- New York Times 

The latest on the Ukraine-Russia crisis: Live Updates -- CNN  

Ukraine responds to Russian action in breakaway regions: updates -- USA Today  

Live Updates On Ukraine -- DW 

Live updates: EU unveils sanctions on Russian lawmakers and elites, as Ukraine urges citizens to leave Russia -- Insider  

Russia-Ukraine: 'Mass' cyberattack targets Ukraine government websites: LIVE UPDATES -- FOX News  

Live blog: UN warns world facing moment of peril over Ukraine-Russia crisis -- TRT World  

Live blog: Ukraine crisis -- Politico

Ukraine Says A Massive Sweeping Cyberattack Is Now Underway

Reuters: Ukraine says another sweeping cyberattack underway as state websites and banks hit 

KYIV, Feb 23 (Reuters) - The websites of Ukraine's government, foreign ministry and state security service were down on Wednesday in what the government said was the start of another massive denial of service (DDoS) attack that began at around 4 p.m. (1400 GMT). 

Ukrainian authorities said this week they had seen online warnings that hackers were preparing to launch major attacks on government agencies, banks and the defence sector.

Ukraine has suffered a string of cyberattacks that Kyiv has blamed on Russia. Moscow, which is caught up in a mounting confrontation with the West over Ukraine, has denied any involvement. 

"At about 4 pm, another mass DDoS attack on our state began. We have relevant data from a number of banks," said Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Digital Transformation, adding that the parliament website was also hit.  

Read more .... 

Ukraine Says A Massive Sweeping Cyberattack Is Now Underway 

 Minister: Ukraine websites down in another ‘massive’ online attack -- Politico 

Cyberattack hits Ukrainian banks and government websites -- CNBC  

Ukraine crisis: Banks 'hit by cyber attacks' as government website home pages 'inaccessible' -- SKY News 

Suspected cyberattack shuts down Ukrainian government websites -- Business Insider  

Ukrainian government websites go down in 'mass DDoS attack' -- 9News  

Ukrainian government and bank websites hit by mass cyberattack -- Axios 

‘Massive cyberattack’ underway, Ukraine reports -- RT

Russia Is Evacuating All Diplomats And Staff From All Diplomatic Missions In Ukraine

 

TASS: Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine begin evacuating staff, Embassy in Kiev says 

In Ukraine, Russia has an embassy in Kiev as well consulates general in Kharkov, Odessa and Lvov 

KIEV, February 23. /TASS/. The evacuation of employees has begun in all Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine. This information was confirmed to a TASS correspondent by a source in the Russian Embassy in Kiev on Wednesday. 

"The evacuation of staff has already begun," the source said. Commenting on information by Ukrainian media outlets that the employees of Russian diplomatic missions were burning documents, the embassy representative said that this indeed took place. "This is a standard procedure. In cases like these, there is a set of measures that need to be undertaken, including for security reasons," he noted.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: When this happens, it means that war is only a day or two away.  

Update: The Russian flag is no longer flying from the Russian embassy in Kyiv. 

 Russia Is Evacuating All Diplomats And Staff From All Diplomatic Missions In Ukraine  

Russian diplomats leave Ukraine -- RT  

Videos show burning of documents in a Russian consulate in Ukraine -- DNYUZ/New York Times  

Russia evacuates diplomats from Ukraine, takes down mission flags -- Reuters  

Russia to Evacuate Diplomats From Kyiv -- Moscow Times/AFP

Russia evacuating diplomats from Ukraine -- The Hill  

Russia pulling personnel from Kyiv a strong signal, says analyst -- CBC News

U.S. Intelligence Has Warned Ukraine That A Full-Scale Russian Invasion Will Occur In The Next 48 Hours

Russian armoured troop transports are pictured in an assembly area, amid fears they could soon roll across the border and into Ukraine - sparking the most-serious war in Europe for decades  

Newsweek: Exclusive: US Warns Ukraine of Full-Scale Russian Invasion Within 48 Hours 

U.S. intelligence officials have revealed to Newsweek that President Joe Biden's administration has informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of intelligence assessing that Russia is preparing to conduct a full-scale invasion of the neighboring country within the next 48 hours. 

"The President of Ukraine has been warned Russia will highly likely begin an invasion within 48 hours based on U.S. intelligence," the U.S. official with direct knowledge told Newsweek. 

"Additionally," the U.S. official added, "reporting from aircraft observers indicates Russia violated Ukrainian airspace earlier today, flying possible reconnaissance aircraft for a short period over Ukraine." 

A source close to Zelenskyy's government also confirmed to Newsweek that such a warning was received. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: According to the above Newsweek report, US intelligence believes Russia intends to launch a full invasion of Ukraine within 48hrs that will involve a massive air campaign, land invasion, cyber, and even airborne ops..

White House Confirms That There Will Be No Face-To-Face Biden-Putin Summit

The Hill: Psaki confirms Biden-Putin meeting off the table 

Any plans for a meeting between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are off the table for the time being, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday.

Psaki did not explicitly rule out a meeting happening in the future but said Biden would not meet with Putin unless Russia de-escalates the situation in Ukraine by pulling back troops. 

“We’re never going to completely close the door to diplomacy,” he told reporters during a briefing, adding, however, that “diplomacy can’t succeed unless Russia changes course.”  

Read more ....  

Update #1: White House says Biden-Putin summit 'not in the plans' after Russia invasion (Washington Examiner) 

Update #2: White House comments on possibility of Biden-Putin summit (RT)  

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. It is going to be a very long time before there is a face-to-face Biden-Putin summit.

Does The Russian Public Support President Putin's Decision To Recognize The Separatist Republics In Ukraine And The Military Intervention That Has Followed?

While pro-Putin figures celebrate, some are more critical and fear a war could yet break out [File: Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters]  

Al Jazeera: Russians bemoan Putin’s decision to recognise ‘republics’  

While government-friendly media celebrate, many outside the corridors of power are critical of their president’s latest move. 

Saint Petersburg, Russia – On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to officially recognise the breakaway, self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR, respectively) in war-torn eastern Ukraine. 

The move has sent fears through much of Europe that this will give Russia a reason to launch a wider military campaign on Ukrainian territory, perhaps sparking open war. 

While those fears surged in Western nations, in Russia, pro-Putin figures celebrated. 

Press and commentators friendly to the government praised the decree, with Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russian state-owned news network RT and longtime advocate for the recognition of the people’s republics, known collectively as Donbas, calling it an “overdue decision”. 

“Happy birthday, Donbas!” she proclaimed on her Telegram channel. 

“Happiness lies not in euros, lads!” Olga Skabeeva, host of the Russia 1 TV channel wrote on her Telegram as the price of the rouble fell against the euro. “Long live the Russian world and Russian people!”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Among my large circle of family/friends/and contacts in Russia, everyone (with the exception of those I know who work for the government) are opposed to this political and military intervention in the separatist regions of Ukraine. 

If you break it, you own it. And this involvement is not going to be cheap. There is also a very real possibility of escalating into a major war that has the potential of costing hundreds of billions of dollars. Sighhhh .... money better spent in Russia than occupying and rebuilding a messed-up Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Says Russia Planning 'Full Scale Attack' On Ukraine

 

FOX News: NATO says Russia planning 'full scale attack' on Kyiv, warns 'real risk' of full-blown war in Europe 

NATO chief said it is not too late for Russia to reverse course 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that there is every indication that Russia is planning a "full-scale attack" on Ukraine and urged Moscow to reverse course immediately. 

 "We urge Russia in the strongest possible terms to choose the path of diplomacy. This is the most dangerous moment in European security for a generation," Stoltenberg told reporters from Brussels. 

"Every indication is that Russia continues to plan for a full-scale attack on Ukraine," he warned.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The expectation among some is that after Ukraine Russia will be targeting NATO countries .... Putin’s argument for dominating Ukraine foreshadows aggression against NATO (Washington Examiner). 

 NATO Secretary General Says Russia Planning 'Full Scale Attack' On Ukraine 

NATO Secretary General: this is the most dangerous moment in European security for a generation -- NATO  

NATO chief: 'Every indication' points to Russia planning for full-scale invasion -- The Hill  

NATO Puts 100+ Jets On High Alert Amid Russian Invasion: ‘Most Dangerous Moment’ For Europe In ‘Generation’ -- Daily Wire 

NATO chief says this is the 'most dangerous' moment in European security in a 'generation' -- Insider  

NATO warns Russia readying for 'full-scale attack' on Ukraine -- RTE

More U.S. Troops Being Deployed To Eastern Europe

BEMOWO PISKIE, Poland - U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, stand in formation during a handover/takeover ceremony at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Feb. 11, 2022. Photo By: Sgt. 1st Class Adrian Patoka  

Military.com: More Troops Headed to Eastern Europe as Biden Says Russia Invasion of Ukraine Has Started 

Russia has "undeniably" begun an invasion of Ukraine by declaring regions in its east independent and will now face billions of dollars in sanctions and additional U.S. troops deployed to the Baltic states, President Joe Biden said Tuesday. 

An infantry battalion based in Italy, as well as F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters, will be moving to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and be in place later this week to defend the NATO alliance, the Biden administration said. Thousands of U.S. troops have already deployed to Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Germany.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: U.S. Deploys Forces In Response To Putin's Ukraine Moves (Time)  

Update #2: Attack helicopters, F-35s, hundreds of US troops repositioned in Europe as Russia moves into Ukraine (Task & Purpose)  

WNU Editor: I expect even more US troops being deployed to eastern Europe in the coming days and weeks.

War Threat Grows

Putin is thought to have moved thousands of troops into rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine today (dark red area on the map), but there are fears he will try to seize control of the wider regions that separatists lay claim to (lighter shade area) 

Daily Mail: Joe Biden dispatches 'defensive' troops to Baltic States in response to Putin's Ukraine invasion: President, Boris Johnson and EU announce sanctions against Putin crony oligarchs and Russian banks after 10,000 Russian troops entered Ukraine 

* Russian lawmakers today authorised Vladimir Putin to use military force outside of Russia 

* It raises fears he is planning a wider invasion of Ukraine, having rolled troops into breakaway regions 

* Western leaders began sanctioning Putin over the move, with the White House describing it as an 'invasion' after hours of dithering - paving the way for 'severe' economic sanctions announced by Joe Biden 

* Biden also announced he is moving additional US troops, fighter jets and helicopters to Baltic states 

* Germany's Olaf Scholz cancelled approval of Nord Stream 2 gas pipe in a dramatic hardening of his position 

* Boris Johnson sanctioned five banks and three of Putin's cronies, with EU also set to announce penalties 

World leaders hit back against Vladimir Putin for sending Russian troops into Ukraine's breakaway eastern regions after he recognized them as independent with tough economic sanctions and the deployment of additional soldiers to the nearby Baltic states. 

U.S. President Joe Biden announced he was moving additional American troops, fighter jets and helicopters to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on NATO's eastern flank as a defensive move and imposing heavy financial sanctions against Russian banks and oligarchs. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Likelihood of war escalates as Putin promises to support proxy Ukraine states (The Guardian)  

Update #2: Russian Forces Are Now Authorized To Use Force In Ukraine (Updated) (Warzone/The Drive)  

WNU Editor: The above Daily Mail post provides a good summary on today's events in and around Ukraine. 

The Warzone/Drive post has video on today's shelling in the Donbass region, including a critical power plant in Ukraine controlled Donbass being deliberately targeted and heavily damaged resulting in the electrical grid being knocked-out. Is this prepping the battlefield for an invasion? The answer is usually a yes.

Three Russian Guided-Missile cruisers Are Watching U.S., French And Italian Carrier Groups In The Mediterranean

Slava-class guided-missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov departs Russian Northern Fleet base Severomorsk. Russian MoD Photo  

USNI: Russian Navy Cruisers Positioned to Counter U.S., French and Italian Carrier Groups in the Mediterranean 

Three Russian guided-missile cruisers have been arrayed across the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea to counter three NATO carrier strike groups, causing concern in the Pentagon, a U.S. defense official told USNI News on Tuesday. 

As of Monday, the three Slava-class cruisers were operating in and around the Aegean Sea – RTS Moskva (121) in the Black Sea, RFS Varyag (011) south of Italy and RTS Marshal Ustinov (055) off the coast of Syria, near Russia’s naval base in Tartus. 

Moskva is based in the Black Sea, while Marshal Ustinov traveled from the Northern Fleet and Varyag from the Pacific Fleet. Ustinov and Varyag entered the Mediterranean from opposite ends earlier this month.  

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Everyone is watching everyone.

Beijing Tries To Play Both Sides As The Ukraine Crisis Grows

 

Washington Times: China: Moscow has ‘legitimate’ security concerns with NATO, Ukraine 

Government spokesman sidesteps questions on incursion China on Tuesday appeared to back Russian grievances over Ukraine and NATO following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recognition Monday of two separatist enclaves in the eastern part of the country, noting what it called Moscow’s “legitimate security concerns.” 

Wang Wenbin, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, fielded inquiries from reporters on China’s position on the Ukraine crisis and repeatedly sidestepped questions about support for Russian actions that the U.S. and allies have condemned as an invasion and violation of Kyiv’s sovereignty.

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: This sums up the Chinese government position on the Ukraine crisis .... All parties should give Russia, Ukraine some space to resolve issue: Global Times editorial. More here .... China calls for calm, restraint and dialogue to ease Ukraine tensions (CGTN). 

Update: This should surprise no one .... A Chinese news outlet accidentally leaked its own censorship instructions on Russia-Ukraine coverage: report (Insider). 

More On China's Response To The Ukraine Crisis 

China concerned about 'worsening' Ukraine situation, warns nationals there -- Reuters  

China moves closer to Russia, but wary on Ukraine -- France 24  

China keeps walking its tightrope between Russia and the West as tensions flare in Ukraine -- Washington Post  

As the West condemns Russia over Ukraine, Beijing strikes a different tone -- Simone McCarthy, CNN  

China warns nationals of 'worsening' situation in Ukraine -- The Hill  

China’s Foreign Minister Wang speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken about Ukraine -- CNBC

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Cancels Meeting With Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Over Ukraine Invasion

 

The Hill: Blinken scraps meeting with top Russian diplomat over Ukraine 'invasion' 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday he would not go through with meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after Russia sent troops into eastern Ukraine as part of what Western leaders have described as the start of a broader invasion. 

“Now that we see the invasion is beginning, and Russia has made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy, it does not make sense to go forward with that meeting at this time,” Blinken said in remarks from the State Department. 

The secretary said he sent a letter to Lavrov to cancel the meeting but left the door open for diplomacy.

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: No one is saying it. But I can only presume that plans of a Biden - Putin summit that were discussed only a few days ago is now dead. 

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Cancels Meeting With Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Over Ukraine Invasion  

U.S. top diplomat Blinken cancels meeting with Russia's Lavrov over Ukraine -- Reuters  

Blinken cancels plans to meet with Russian counterpart -- AP

 US top diplomat Blinken cancels meeting with Russia's Lavrov over Ukraine -- France 24  

Blinken says meeting with Lavrov is off after Russia moves on Ukraine -- CNN  

US cancels diplomatic summit with Russia -- RT

US Officials Have Discussed Plans For Ukraine President Zelensky To Flee Ukraine If Russia Invades

 

The Hill: US has discussed plans for Ukrainian leader to leave if Russia invades: report 

The Biden administration has discussed plans to relocate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from Kyiv to Lviv in western Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion, NBC reported. 

Two sources familiar with the discussions told the news outlet the Biden administration views the Ukrainian leader as "increasingly vulnerable." 

The Biden administration had warned for weeks that an attack on Ukraine could be imminent and President Biden on Friday said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind to move forward with an invasion of Ukraine. 

Read more ....  

Update: U.S. officials discussed Ukrainian president leaving capital if Russia attacks (NBC) 

WNU Editor: This is not the image that you want project. That should the country be invaded, you have already made arrangements for the President to flee. 

Update #2: According to Russian media, US officials have told President Zelensky to relocate to Lviv from Kyiv .... US tells Zelensky to leave Kiev – media (RT).

In Late-Night Address To Ukraine President Zelensky Rules Out Ceding Territory To Russia

 

The Hill: Zelensky rules out ceding territory to Russia in late-night address to Ukraine 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that he would not cede his country's land despite escalating tensions with Russia amid the possibility of an invasion. 

"We are committed to the peaceful and diplomatic path, we will follow it and only it," Zelensky said, according to Reuters. 

"But we are on our own land, we are not afraid of anything and anybody, we owe nothing to no one, and we will give nothing to no one." 

The president also accused Moscow of violating Ukraine's sovereign territory and called for an emergency meeting of the leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France as well as support from Ukraine's allies, Reuters reported.  

Read more .... 

In Late-Night Address To Ukraine President Zelensky Rules Out Ceding Territory To Russia 

Russia has destroyed peace efforts but we won't give up any of our land, Zelenskiy says -- Reuters  

Ukraine is committed to diplomacy but ‘not afraid of anyone,’ President Zelenskyy says in TV address -- CNBC  

Ukraine may break off diplomatic ties with Russia, president says -- Reuters  

Ukrainian president reveals chances of war with Russia -- RT

Russian President Putin Says He Backs Ukraine Separatists’ Full Territorial Claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independent of the Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples' Republics on Monday. Kremlin.ru 

Moscow Times: Russia Backs Ukraine Separatists’ Full Territorial Claims 

Russia backs the full territorial claims of separatists in eastern Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday evening. 

Speaking at a press conference, Putin said: "We recognized them. And this means that we recognized all their fundamental documents, including the constitution. And the constitution spells out the borders within the Donetsk and Luhansk regions at the time when they were part of Ukraine." 

Leaders in the breakaway states control less than half of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine but claim sovereignty over the entire area, including major port city Mariupol, which is currently under Kyiv's control. 

 Read more ....  

WNU Editor: If what I am reading is correct, Russian President Putin just green-lighted to the separatists in the Donbass that they can seize the entire Donbass region. 

Russian President Putin Says He Backs Ukraine Separatists’ Full Territorial Claims  

Putin comments on borders of Donbass republics -- RT  

Putin recognizes separatist claims to Ukraine’s entire Donbass region -- Politico  

Russia might have recognised area beyond Ukrainian rebel regions - UK -- Reuters

Videos Appear To Show Russian Military Forces Moving Deep Into The Separatist Donbass Region Of Ukraine

A @Reuters witness saw tanks and other military hardware on the outskirts of Donetsk, the capital of one of two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized them as independent https://t.co/CfsYwia0bM pic.twitter.com/60YcnUyGvs

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 22, 2022

Cette nuit, en direction de Donetsk, des dizaines de chars russes, pièces d'artillerie tractées par des camions et véhicules militaires. Exclu #Le Figaro. #DNR pic.twitter.com/F5rV0ByvD1

— Alain Barluet (@abarluet) February 21, 2022

Business Insider: Videos appear to show Russian armed forces moving deep into separatist region of Ukraine 

* Video footage suggests the Russian military is already deep in two pro-Moscow regions of Ukraine. 

* Putin declared the regions as independent on Monday and ordered a "peacekeeping" mission. 

* Western powers believe the move is likely a precursor to a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine. 

Video footage shot Monday night appears to show Russian armed forces and tanks active deep in the pro-Moscow Donbas region of Ukraine. 

Late Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to march into the Donbas on what the Kremlin described as a "peacekeeping" mission. 

Hours earlier, Putin had recognized the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) following a rubber-stamp meeting of his security council, 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: If the above videos are authentic, it tells me that Russian armor and artillery units are on (or near) the current front-lines between separatist and Ukrainian forces. To say that this changes the dynamics of this 8 year war is an understatement. 

From now on any exchange of fire on this front-line will involve the Russian military. Any fighting will be against Russian regular forces. Any assault will involve Russian soldiers. This also means that any future military engagement can (and probably will) quickly escalate along much of the Russian - Ukraine border. 

Bottom line. 

I can only see four military outcomes from this Russian military deployment in the Donbass. 

1) Both sides will restrain from firing at each other in order to not escalate this conflict. 

2) Separatist forces will start launching attacks knowing that they are backed by Russian military firepower, resulting in Ukrainian forces firing back and thereby escalating the war. 

3) Ukrainian forces launching assaults to test Russian military resolve and commitment. This will definitely escalate the war. 

4) Russian forces launching an attack by themselves, thereby escalating the war.

President Biden Will Provide An Update On Russia And Ukraine At 14:20 EST (Live)

 

WNU Editor: This update was suppose to start at 13:00 EST. Late as usual.