Ukraine Under Siege, President Zelensky Says He's a Target
Hello Substack readers. Please note I will be making all posts about Ukraine, many cross-posted at Paloma Media, free for all. Peace through strength.
"Russia invaded Ukraine before dawn this morning. Within hours, dozens of civilians and hundreds of Ukrainian military members had been killed, a death toll that continues to climb quickly as Ukraine defends itself against a Russian attack by land, sea, and air. In a televised statement to his people, President Zelensky said, 'It’s not just rocket explosions, fighting, and the roar of aircraft' heard across Ukraine, but 'the sound of a new Iron Curtain, which lowers and closes Russia from the civilized world.'”
So began Sean P. Cooper's lead article yesterday on Tablet's "The Scroll," one of several hundred pieces of information we were consuming on the atrocity that was Russian invading Ukraine, much of it unreliable. We'll try our best to keep on top of what's happening and provide some context to help understand why it's happening and what we might expect next.
The Fifth Column podcast earlier this week recorded episode "347 w/ Jamie Kirchick "Ukraine Crisis, The Enemy of My Enemy, National Conservatism."
And yesterday, they banged out Special Dispatch #107 - War Dogs
Photos: Hundreds Arrested as Russians Protest Invasion of Ukraine Al Jazeera
Volodymyr Zelensky Warns of Assassination Plot as Russian Forces Target Kyiv
"Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that 'enemy saboteur groups' have entered Kyiv and Russia is planning to assassinate him as Vladimir Putin’s invading forces intensified their attack on Ukraine’s capital and other cities on Friday.
"Kyiv residents woke to loud explosions shortly after 4am on the second day of war after Russia launched one of Europe’s largest military offensives since the second world war.
"Air raid sirens sounded in the capital and the city government warned people to seek cover in shelters or subway stations as the military said it had intercepted two Russian projectiles fired at the city." FT
Klitschko Brothers to Take Up Arms and Fight for Ukraine
"Former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko said he would take up arms alongside his brother and fellow Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko to fight in what is a 'bloody war' following Russia's invasion of their country Ukraine." Reuters
Biden Hits Russia With Broad Sanctions for Putin’s War in Ukraine
"President Biden, vowing to turn President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia into a 'pariah,' announced tough new sanctions on Thursday aimed at cutting off Russia’s largest banks and some oligarchs from much of the global financial system and preventing the country from importing American technology critical to its defense, aerospace and maritime industries…
"[Russia’s] stock market fell more than 30 percent on Thursday, wiping out a huge amount of wealth… The technology restrictions… could cripple the ability of certain Russian industries to keep up." NYT
Ukraine Invasion: Zelenskiy Strikes Defiant Tone as Explosions Ring Out in Kyiv
"Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Vladimir Putin of targeting civilian as well as military sites, as explosions were heard in Kyiv and Russian ground forces reportedly came within 20 miles of the capital.
"'They say that civilian objects are not a target for them. It is a lie, they do not distinguish in which areas to operate,' he said.
"Zelensky made the claim in a televised address early on Friday, in which he vowed to continue to defend his country. 'Russia will have to talk to us sooner or later about how to end hostilities and stop this invasion. The sooner the conversation begins, the smaller Russia’s losses will be.'" The Guardian
Shock and Support on the Streets of Moscow
"'I never voted for those who are in power now,' he adds, 'and I did what I could, what a person in Russia is currently able to do to affect political life - went to protests. But I don't think there will be any now. Everyone is much too scared.'
"Asked if he and his friends were scared to come to the rally, he said, 'No. This is not frightening. What is happening in Ukraine and its borders is frightening. What we have here now is nothing.'" BBC
Twitter follows:
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