For the past few days, I’ve dedicated a lot of my time to gathering information about Ukraine, as well as looking at disinformation. The following is for anyone who wishes to inform themselves, as well as others - I am just the messenger, and no permission is needed to share this information elsewhere. Basically - feel free.
Primary rules
- Debates, should they occur, are to be taken elsewhere. I want to avoid clogging this thread as much as possible. This applies to most things, actually. Try not to flood the chat with unrelated material. Discussion of the situation is permitted, but keep, that in mind.
- Misinformation will be corrected upon if new information is learned, in italics. example: early on, it was believed that a radiation containment storage was destroyed in Chornobyl, with fallout being unknown. This was a mistranslation; there was fighting in Chornobyl, with possible risk of destruction of infrastructure within the area.
- I will not post any graphic content here, but some things could be potentially distressing.
- List is subject to change.
Other people are welcome to post their information they’ve collected here.
Original update, that I posted a little over a day ago in the Share things nobody asked you to share chat. I decided to make this to dedicate it completely to this topic, to avoid flooding the other chat.
- The invasion began around 5am Kyiv time. This also marks the 3rd time Russia has violated the Olympic truce.
- Putin calls it a “special military operation” in Ukraine, stating that their goal is not to occupy, but to demilitarize and denazify the country. Do note that Ukraine’s president is of Jewish background, and has had family members who’ve lived through the holocaust. He is also not a nazi.
- People in subway stations across Ukraine and other underground places are taking shelter, using them as bomb shelters. There were air raid sirens in Kyiv going off.
- A curfew has been declared.
- People from Ukraine are fleeing, into neighbouring countries like Moldova.
At the same time, there are some Ukrainians heading back to Ukraine to take up arms. There’s probably more refugees, but still.
- Heavy fighting was reported in the Chornobyl area. The zone has reportedly been seized by Russian forces.
- Hostomel military airfield was briefly seized by the Russians, but I believe Ukrainians might have reclaimed it. Still, fighting continues in the area.
- This invasion is the largest state-on-state (not counting Yugoslavia then) invasion in Europe since WW2.
- Some Russian soldiers were believed to have abandoned their equipment and uniforms after being shot at.
- There are multiple anti war protests in Russia. People have been arrested there.
Ukraine defenders have managed to hold most key positions.
- It is thought large scale bombings of Kyiv are likely to occur in the next two hours. (Update; this did indeed happen, but Kyiv still remains Ukrainian)
- The Ukrainian president has ordered general military mobilization.
- 13 border guards were killed on Zmiinyi island, which despite everything they managed to defend it for hours previously. Still, they’ve unfortunately fallen. Update: Snake Island defenders are still alive; they have been captured. Update2: They have been freed!
- Men aged 18-60 are not to leave Ukraine.
Alright, now for some small bit of information regarding language.
Kyiv vs. Kiev
Kyiv is the Ukrainian spelling for the city. Kiev is the Russian. It’s the same city, but many people would prefer to use Kyiv. The city is Ukrainian, so use the Ukrainian spelling. Same with Chornobyl vs. Chernobyl; Chornobyl is actually the Ukrainian spelling. Small things, but worthwhile to note.
Okay, now that’s over with - here’s information regarding recent developments as of February 26th, 2022. Day three of the invasion.
Day 3 of the invasion: Live updates: https://english.nv.ua/nation/putin-declares-war-russians-attack-ukraine-on-all-fronts-50219425.html?preview=
- The invasion is not going well for Russia. People had assumed Kyiv would fall within hours, but this is clearly not true. Ukraine, despite everything, holds its ground.
- President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has chosen to remain in Kyiv. He has refused to leave, although the US stands at ready to evacuate him. “I need ammunition, not a ride,” he says.
- Day 3: 198 Ukrainian civilians killed. 3 are children. 1115 civilians wounded, 33 are minors.
- Russians are shown to have supply problems, with tanks broken down on roads, ran out of fuel. It has been reported that they are asking for food on the streets.
- Ukrainian hospitals have been bombed/attacked/come under fire.
- Ukrainians were seen treating injured Russian soldiers. Shows the empathy that people keep, despite the times.
- Protests in Russia agains the war, hundreds have been arrested.
- At least 150 Russian officials condemn Putin’s actions.
- Ukrainian civilians are taught to make molotovs, in a “Molotov cocktail resistance.”
- Road signs are being moved around in order to confuse Russian troops.
- Tank traps are also being made.
- It is reported that many Russian soldiers thought they were only going for training, not given the knowledge that they’d be deployed like this. Some troops were thought to have abandoned their post and uniforms upon being fired at.
- Multiple bridges have been blown up to stop Russian crossings.
- Weapons in Ukraine have been distributed to civilians.
- Many European countries have chosen to close their airspaces to Russian carriers.
- There are actions being taken to remove Russia from SWIFT.
- Russian losses in last 24 hrs of its war against Ukraine:
SU-30 fighter aircraft, 11 helicopters, 2 Su-25 aircraft, 2 Il-76 air-fighters, a column of equipment and fuel echelon, according to Air Force Command of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
- Germany has overruled its weapon policy. Weapons are now being sent to Ukraine.
This thread will be updated periodically, however I have prepared a list of good sources for information here:
Please take a look at all these links!
Feel free to contribute your own information, but be aware of misinformation.
Pope Francis says his heart aches over the situation in Ukraine and announces a “Day of Fasting for Peace” on Ash Wednesday.
During the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine, saying that the threat of war had caused “great pain in [his] heart.”
He also prayed that “all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.”
— Sourced from Vatican News
Apparently my brain wants me to make a serial killer universe. So far I have….
Babydoll Killer:
Dresses their victims to resemble a baby doll and tries to set up scenes for child play.
Bleeding-Heart Killer:
Leaves Bleeding-Heart flowers at each scene, and takes out the victims heart.
Forests' Hangman:
Strings victims up in the woods upside down by their ankles and slits their throats.
Mermaid Killer:
Ties a cinderblock to the ankles of their victims and throws them into the water where they drown. Uses lakes, swimming pools, the ocean, ponds, aquariums. Cuts gills into the victims.
Bro?? wtf is that?
this is a chat dedicated to what's going on in Ukraine right now. why are you posting that here?
Oops, my bad. My phone decided to be goofy and go here from the share things nobody asked for chat, and I clearly didn't notice…. Sorry for the mix up.
Thoughts and prayers are going out to Ukrainians and others involved.
(Genuinely so happy that the Snake Island defenders survived!)
Feb 28th 2022
- “Russian soldiers who lay down their weapons will be granted amnesty and money” from the Ukrainian defense minister
- Finland decided to send weapons to Ukraine: 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 rounds of ammunition, 1,500 anti-tank weapons, and 70,000 food kits.
- President Zelenskyy has signed an application for Ukraine’s membership in the EU.
- Several thousand foreigners have applied to fight for Ukraine.
- Belarus will renounce their neutral and nonnuclear status, allowing Russia to place nuclear weapons on their territory.
- Berdiansk is currently under Russian occupation. Videos can be seen, in which civilians shout “get out of Ukraine” and “Berdiansk is Ukraine” at Russian soldiers.
- Switzerland broke its historically neutral status in order to adopt EU sanctions against Russia.
- Shell says it will exit Russian oil and gas investments.
Important link: https://www.boycottrussia.info/
(SWITZERLAND!??!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?)
(What the hell, Russia? You think you can take Ukraine just because you have some sort of. . . pride issue that you lost it in the first place? Get. Fucked.)
(Sorry, I feel strongly about this, lol.)
(Jeez.. You know something’s wrong when the Swiss get involved)
(I mean, at least it was against Russia and not for? Idk if them taking sides sets some kind of precedent for the future but it seems good)
dont look into what switzerland was doing with the nazis during ww2
March 1st, 2022
- there was a tv tower in Kyiv that almost got destroyed. however, the missile hit a holocaust memorial - Babyn Yar - and killed at least 5 people.
- strikes in Kyiv very close to the centre
- European Court of Human Rights to stop bombing and shelling civilian targets
- EU disconnected key Russian banks from SWIFT
- multiple diplomats walked out of a UN Human Rights Council when the Russian Foreign Minister started speaking
- Belarusian troops are said to be advancing into Ukraine and joining the fight (on Russia’s side - excluding some pro Ukrainian Belarusians)
- Sumy is getting hit particularly hard
- Ukraine and Georgia relations are at a low, the final straw was the Georgian govt blocking a flight of Georgian volunteers
- in occupied towns, it is shown Russia has come armed with tear gas.
- pro Ukrainian Chechen unit recently formed
- Message from a Ukrainian solider:
If anything happens don’t let us be forgotten. We are surrounded in Mariupol no way out.
- 128 wounded civilians are currently being treated in local hospitals after the city was heavily shelled by Russian forces, according to Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko.
Electricity was restored in the city and 26 tonnes of bread were baked overnight for Mariupol residents.
- Russian paratroopers have landed in Kharkiv and are attacking a medical military centre
- Mariupol, at this point, is probably completely surrounded.
- a plot to assassinate Zelenskyy failed. Ukrainian authorities had been tipped off by members of Russia’s Federal Security Service who did not support the war.
So sorry for not updating this! Was low motivation for a while and I’m just getting it back. Note that looking at world news almost 24/7 WILL take a mental toll on you.
March 28th, 2022
- Irpin has been liberated, according to the city’s mayor
- Multiple cities have been awarded the award “Hero City of Ukraine.” The award is an honorary title commemorating outstanding heroism. The Hero Cities of Ukraine are as followed:
Chernihiv
Hostomel
Kharkiv
Kherson
Mariupol
Volnovakha
Irpin
Bucha
Okhtyrka
Mykolaiv
- EU is planning to double military support to 1 billion euros for Ukraine.
- About 3.8 million people have fled Ukraine.
- Russia is likely seeking to re-arrange and reposture its forces for renewed offensive activity, sourced from British defense officials
- Ukraine states that the Siege of Mariupol has close to 5000 causalities, including 200 children. The true numbers are hard to count. True numbers are likely higher.
- Russian troops have also deported citizens of Mariupol to unknown destinations (about 30,000). This is a form of genocide.
- Poland has accepted around 2.3 million refugees of Ukraine. Its capital, Warsaw, has moved up by about 20% in terms of population and is running out of accommodation. About 500,000 refugees that arrived in Poland have also moved on to other countries.
- The G7 has rejected Russia’s demand for gas payments to be done in rubles.
- EU members have around 17 billion Euro to fund refugee aid.
- Face to face negotiations in Turkey are expected to begin on Tuesday.
- Ukraine halts humanitarian corridors due to information about planned provocations along routes. Note that even while the corridors have been open, Russia has still violated agreements multiple times that allow safe passage for civilians.
- Ukraine and Russia both account for 30% of the global wheat exports. The war is expected to disrupt this, along other exports.
- Joe Biden has said Putin cannot remain in power, after describing him as a butcher. The Kremlin calls these remarks “alarming”
- Mariupol’s mayor says the city is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. It has been under siege for over 22 days, compared as a “Modern Day Leningrad”. People have begun to die from starvation and dehydration.
- Russia continues to deny targeting civilians.
- Russia is to restrict visas from people who come from “unfriendly countries”. See a list of its unfriendly countries here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/here-are-the-nations-on-russia-s-unfriendly-countries-list-1.5810483
- Russia’s top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta has suspended activities after receiving a second warning from state communications. The newspaper’s editor in chief was a co winner of last year’s Nobel peace price, and plans to donate his Nobel Award to raise funds for Ukrainians. He pledges to stay in Russia, and that the paper will be back. For note, this leaves Russia with no major news media outlets critical of the Kremlin.
- Individuals in Germany displaying the letter Z to symbolize support for Russia may be subject to prosecution. (Z itself is not forbidden, it’s more the context that people would be using it in that matters)
- Ukrainian troops launch counterattacks against Russian troops in Kharkiv region
- Russia’s war so far has cost Ukraine over $560bn
- Over 160,000 civilians are still trapped in Mariupol.
- Around 7 Russian generals have been killed in Ukraine
- A senior Ukrainian official has said he doesn’t expect a breakthrough at upcoming peace talks
- Mayors of cities that have been abducted are being found dead. Some are still missing.
- At least 300 were killed in the Mariupol theatre bombing. Prior to the bombing, the theatre was a shelter where civilians were hiding.
- Russian state news briefly posted something (but deleted it) suggesting troop deaths to be at around 10,000. Russian officials have said the posting was a cyberattack.
March 30th, 2022
-
https://twitter.com/ukraine_world/status/1509153703336554500 photo from Irpin. Irpin is mostly liberated, but still faces the damage done by invaders. In addition, they must not let their guard down. Further attacks may be feared. (The photo is not graphic, but contains a scene of destruction.)
- While Irpin’s liberation is good news, dead Ukrainians slaughtered in mass murder were found on the streets during the retaking.
- The mayor of Irpin states that the city is being fired upon by nearby cities held by Russia, so it’s very hard for them to repair electricity and water supplies.
- US estimates since the invasion began, over 10,000 Russian soldiers have been killed. This number is staggering for multiple reasons.
- A building marked with the Red Cross was bombed by Russian forces in Mariupol.
- In the Chornobyl exclusion zone, troops are being amassed. Despite saying they (Russia) would decrease hostilities in Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts, military buildup is continuing in Kyiv oblast and Chernihiv is still being shelled.
- The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine has reached 4 million.
- A photo from Kyiv, showing some of the protective measures set up around certain buildings. The post explains why: https://twitter.com/ukraine_world/status/1509148072693092357
- Russia’s FSB is interviewing Ukrainian refugees under duress, seizing their phones, keeping them captive and pressuring them to make up stories about war crimes.
- Air quality in Kyiv has dropped. Pollutants are nine times above their normal. This may be due to fires from nearby fighting.
- The Russian National Guard is firing officers who refuse to join the war in Ukraine.
- In Maryinka, it is reported that phosphorous ammunition has been used.
- Mariupol before and after photos. Nothing graphic, but photos of destruction: https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1509135202907738122
- Russian Federation units are dumping free floating mines into the Black Sea, which will threaten any form of navigation there for years to come. This threatens countries like Romania and Turkey, as well as food supplies.
- There was a large attack on central Chernihiv that injured 25 civilians, on March 30th.
- Kremlin spokesman says “nothing very promising” in peace talks with Ukraine
And while not events, just a notable line from a conversation I observed on Twitter
“Ukraine is not Europe. Europe is Ukraine. The future of Europe will be decided in Ukraine.”
It’s also Easter. The fighting continues, but I decided to share this article here about a Ukrainian Easter Tradition.
I’ve added a new link to the main post, containing a reddit post that has links to many different charities by subject. Feel free to check it out.
April 20th, 2022
- Mariupol defenders have asked world leaders to evacuate the Azovstal plant, saying that days, even hours could be left. The 36th marine brigade commander has stated they’re outnumbered 10 to 1. 500 wounded soldiers and hundreds of civilians are at the plant.
- Half a million Ukrainians have been deported to Russia (by Russia.) They are typically sent to economically depressed regions, and even receive documents banning them from leaving Russia for two years.
- South Korea sends 20 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
- Japan will give Ukraine drones and chemical protection.
- Norway sends Ukraine 100 air defense systems.
- Ukraine’s intelligence: Russia plans forced mobilization in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions.
- More than 5,000 Ukrainian refugees were detained while entering the United States by land, air or sea borders last month.
- UN chief calls for a humanitarian pause (four days) for Orthodox Easter.
- A Russian billionaire has ‘blasted’ the war, calling on the west to do more to stop this massacre. The billionaire is Oleg Tinkov.
- Germany will provide training and maintenance to Ukrainian military.
- Two employees who stayed behind in a zoo in Kharkiv were found dead. It was confirmed that they were barricaded in a room, previously had been shot dead by Russian soldiers.
- Henkel, a major German manufacturer will cease operations in Russia.
- More US assistance is on the way.
April 21st, 2022
- Ukraine extends martial law until May 25th. It first imposed it at the beginning of the full scale invasion, on Feb 24th.
- Putin announces Russian soldiers will not storm the last area of major resistance in Mariupol. He claims to have taken the city, but Ukrainian media still reports that Ukrainian troops are still active inside the city. Instead, the plant will be blockaded.
A pause here for a note:
Note that the last area of major resistance is Azovstal Steel Plant. Steel plants are very big, my city has a steel plant. If you were to walk from one end to another, it could take you a few hours. Azovstal has underground tunnels and atomic bunkers built to stand a nuclear attack.
- UK sanctions additional 26 Russian individuals and enterprises.
- Latvian parliament recognizes Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide, adopts law to strip citizenship for supporting war crimes.
- Governor of Luhansk says Russia now controls 80 percent of the eastern region.
- 5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since war began, while 7 million are estimated to be displaced within the country.
- People are still uncovering mass graves with civilians in Ukraine. One is in Borodyanka, where nine bodies were found. They have been transported for forensic study to the morgues in the Kyiv region.
- Many Americans believe that the response to Ukraine isn’t “tough enough,” although few want US troops to be involved.
- Russia may intensify attacks on Donbas as it wants to demonstrate successes ahead of its May 9th Victory Day celebration.
- A 91 year old holocaust survivor, Vanda Semyonovna Obiedkova, died pleading for water in a basement in Mariupol. Originally, she survived nazi occupation in Mariupol by hiding in a basement. There are many Nazi occupation survivors who are experiencing this war.
- Liberated cities returning to life, says Zelenskyy. However, he makes sure to add that mines and shells are still a danger, and urges civilians not to enter territory not yet inspected.
- United Kingdom, the United States and Canada walked out on Russia’s representatives in a G20 meeting.
- Ukraine ‘ready to hold a special round of negotiations’ right in Mariupol.
- The timing of Russia’s invasion began during ‘Muddy Road Season.’ Mud has helped slow down Russian advances, particularly in the North.
- Kharkiv under heavy bombardment. 1 million people remain in the city.
Also, here’s an interesting photo of Putin from his meeting with his minister of defense.
I have information that somewhat correlates to the war in this update. Actually, it might have a bigger relation - that all depends on how everything goes. This information is right at the beginning for convenience.
April 26th, 2022
- Explosions in Transnistria. Here is an article explaining what Transnistria is, since it’s not really common knowledge: https://opoyi.com/english/explained-transnistria-and-its-importance-to-russia. The explosions may be a false flag operation with Russia behind it.
- Moldova is to meet with its Security Council. More information will probably come out soon.
- 35 air strikes launched on Azovstal overnight, civilians injured. 1000 civilians are believed to be hiding in the underground shelters.
- Forced labour in exchange for food probably happening in Mariupol. Russian troops forcing men to remove rubble and dig mass graves, in exchange for food.
- Germany to supply Ukraine with anti aircraft systems.
- Russian state-controlled media: Transnistria may soon decide to ‘protect the interests of the republic.’ Similar rhetoric was used by Kremlin proxies in Eastern Ukraine prior to the full scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Officials in Kyiv dismantle the Ukraine-Russia friendship statue. Plans for this were announced not too long ago. The arch over the statue will be painted with Ukrainian colours.
- Russia's prosecutor general wants to ban memes "used with extremist goals."
