1 year agoOn their call today, @POTUS and @OlafScholz "underscored the importance of continued transatlantic coordination on diplomacy and deterrence measures and the reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank if Russia further invades Ukraine," according to the @WhiteHouse
1 year agoImagery—again, taken by Capella Space and analyzed by @CSBiggers—shows a thinning Russian military footprint at Bakhchysarai in Crimea and vehicles being loaded onto railway transfer points. Though it's unclear where they're headed & for how long
Israel told Russia ahead of a possible invasion of Ukraine it will need help in evacuating its citizens & diplomats from the country. Israeli officials said the message was passed today in a phone call between foreign ministry DG @AlonUshpiz & Russian DFM Bogdanov
1 year agoNew @Maxar satellite images from the past 48 hours continue to show heightened military activity in Belarus, Crimea, and western Russia. Pics below are from Feb. 15 and show a new pontoon bridge over the Prypyat River in Belarus
1 year ago"The risk of further Russian military aggression against Ukraine remains, the highest level of vigilance is required; a significant withdrawal of Russian troops has not yet been observed." Chancellor Scholz calls @POTUS
Zelensky: Diplomacy has succeeded in strengthening the armament of the Ukrainian army
Russia continues to build up military capabilities near Ukraine, including armored vehicles, helicopters, and a field hospital: Britain's top defense intel official "Russia has the military mass in place to conduct an invasion of Ukraine" said Lt Gen Sir Jim Hockenhull
The State Dept has stood up a task force on Ukraine in recent days, says @StateDeptSpox. He says it's a large team operating. Task forces are often stood up at the department to coordinate response to high-level situations, often crises, that cut across bureaus & agencies
.@StateDeptSpox Ned Price says Russia is spreading falsehoods, making up false claims of "genocide" of ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine-possibly as a pretext for another invasion
"We are particularly concerned" of mention by President Putin and others about baseless claims of "genocide" in Donbas as a pretext for military action by Russia in Ukraine, adds @StateDeptSpox
1 year ago"More Russian forces, not fewer" at the border with Ukraine and they're "moving into fighting position," according to @StateDeptSpox
The @StateDept announces that @SecBlinken will travel to Germany for the Munich Security Conference @MunSecConf-coordinating with allies on Russia's threat to Ukraine will be high on the agenda
The European Parliament has now officially approved (598 for, 55 against, 41 abstentions) the 1.2 billion euro macro-financial assistance package for Ukraine. the hope is that the first disbursement can happen in early March
A U.S. official tells Reuters a service member assigned to the U.S. Embassy Kyiv experienced a "non-injury medical condition" and was transported to the Polish border where a U.S. Army MEDEVAC helicopter transported the service member to a local medical facility
Ukraine's Defence Minister says latest intelligence report shows no evidence of Russian withdrawal, still has 140,000 troops near borders
British troops and tanks have began leaving Sennelager in Germany and bases in the UK and are now on their way to Estonia to reinforce Nato allies
President Zelensky put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on sanctions against Shariy and Guzhva
1 year agoLocal media in Siret, Romania, reported that a UH-60 Black Hawk landed at Ukraine-Romania border crossing. Video was reportedly filmed today at the border
Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba: We continue to demand transparency from Russia, which ignored yesterday's meeting in the framework of the Vienna Document
Russia has 'just as many troops' as before on Ukraine border: French foreign minister
1 year agoNATO chief Stoltenberg: "What we see today is that Russia maintains a massive invasion force ready to attack”
NATO will look into establishing new battle groups in Central and South-East regions within the alliance with a focus on Romania and the Black Sea region, per Stoltenberg
1 year agoPolish of Ministry of National Defense: Min. @mblaszczak: There is a strong declaration of unity and solidarity towards Ukraine. Readiness to increase involvement on NATO's eastern flank, of course, as the situation develops. This is a message that was shared by all participants in today's meeting
NATO defense ministers say they are "gravely concerned" by Russia's "large scale, unprovoked and unjustified" military build up around Ukraine. "Russia's actions pose a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security," the stmt says
.@jensstoltenberg says Russia's military moves show it is willing to contest the fundamental principles of Europe's security, including by using force. "This is the new normal in Europe
Speaking in Brussels, NATO's @jensstoltenberg calls the Russian threat vs Ukraine the "most serious security crisis in decades." "There are signs from Moscow diplomacy should continue. But so far we see no signs of de-escalation on the ground, not troops or equipment
"Russia maintains a massive invasion force ready to attack," @jensstoltenberg says. Russia's military buildup around Ukraine is "the biggest rally of forces in Europe since the Cold War”
1 year agoThese aggressive remarks by a spokesperson from China's MOFA during today's briefing are quite telling--an indication that China is further backing up Russia's rhetoric over Ukraine
Ukraine MoD said at start of DDoS they recorded 600,000 packets of malicious traffic per second and currently one bank is getting hit with 1mil. For perspective, Google was hit with DDoS in 2017 involving 2.54 terabites per sec targeting 180,000 web servers
.@SecBlinken speaking to a virtual #SummitforDemocracy says he will have to cut his remarks short because @POTUS has called him over to the White House for a meeting
The White House: President Joe Biden will speak by phone today with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about Ukraine crisis
Russia's Investigative Committee claims mass graves of hundreds of civilians killed by Ukrainian shelling found
1 year agoRight when Royal Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint reg. ZZ664 RRR7217 enters Ukraine, United States Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk AE5420 FORTE11 leaves the country, presumably heading back to NAS Sigonella
.@SecBlinken says the US is not seeing evidence that Russia is pulling back troops from the border of Ukraine, despite Moscow's claims, and they "see forces, especially forces that would be in the vanguard of any renewed aggression against Ukraine" continuing to mass
Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia conducts military exercises, as neighboring Ukraine and the region are pumped up with weapons, the consequences of these steps are unpredictable
1 year ago"Kremlin approval of this appeal would amount to the Russian government's wholesale rejection of its commitments under the Minsk agreements," says @SecBlinken of Duma resolution on eastern Ukraine
1 year agoToday FM @RauZbigniew held a phone call with FM of Ukraine @DmytroKuleba. The ministers discussed the security situation in and around Ukraine
Ukraine suffered the largest denial of service cyber attack in its history this week, the country's deputy prime minister has said
The Verkhovna Rada decided to withdraw Ukraine from the CIS agreement on the origin of goods and from CIS Anti-Terrorism Center
In case of a public refusal of NATO, Kyiv must proclaim its neutral, non-bloc status, as provided for in the declaration of state sovereignty of Ukraine, - Russian envoy Gavrilov
British Minister of Defense: Russian troops are moving into positions to attack closer to Ukraine's borders. At the same time, their number continues to grow in key areas. There are no signs of retreat
NATO's @jensstoltenberg: says Russia retains capability for full-fledged invasion of Ukraine without warning. "What we see is that they (Russia) have increased the number of troops and more troops are on their way. So far, no de-escalation
1 year agoRoad accident with APC at Tavrida highway in occupied Crimea
1 year agoSlovakia will send help to Ukraine worth 1.7 mil €. Slovakia will send 2 remote-control machine designed for terrain demining from anti-personnel and anti-tank mines called "Bozena 5" + medical equipment
The Kremlin: NATO is wrong in saying that there is no evidence of the withdrawal of Russian forces
1 year agoNATO Defence Ministerial is about to start. Poland's Defence Minister @mblaszczak and Allied ministers will discuss the security situation in Europe amid Russia's military build-up in and around Ukraine & other topics
US Secretary of Defense: We are committed to the principle of collective security, which is a firm and solid commitment
Kremlin spokesperson said that Russia is not involved in any DDoS attacks, including in Ukraine
NATO Secretary General: We will welcome any reduction of Russian forces at the Ukrainian border
Russian Ministry of Defense shows video of echelon with tanks withdrawing from Crimea to Russia
Joint Forces Operation: 4 ceasefire violations yesterday
1 year agoFORTE12 is paying a lot of attention to the border with Belarus just north of Kyiv
1 year agoPontoon bridge deployed on the river near Ukrainian border
1 year agoQuad foreign ministers discuss Russia/Ukraine
1 year agoBlackhawk just land on the Polish-Ukrainian border
All Ukrainian governmental .gov.ua are working with intermittent disruptions , unavailable for many in Ukraine itself
The website of Ukraine's ministry of education and science mon.gov.ua also appears to be down
1 year agoUS Army UH-60M Black Hawk call sign EVAC01 approaching Ukraine
1 year agoBipartisan group of Senate leaders send message of solidarity with the people of Ukraine
Czech Republic MoI @Vit_Rakusan: We are ready to welcome thousands of Ukraine refugees if there is a military conflict with Russia. But we still hope there won't be a war. We can see disinformation platforms are more active these days
"In our assessment, the Russian Armed Forces are ready to embark on a full-scale military operation against Ukraine from the second half of February" per assessment from Estonia Foreign Intelligence Service
"We are not seeking direct confrontation with Russia," @POTUS says but warns that if Russia provokes the US, it will respond. He specifically cites that in the event of any cyber attacks against "our companies" the US is "prepared to respond"
Biden: "We're not seeking direct confrontation with Russia. I've been clear that if Russia targets Americans in Ukraine, we will respond forcefully"
"I will not send American servicemen to fight in Ukraine. [but] the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power. An attack against one NATO country is an attack against all of us." -Biden
"If Russia attacks Ukraine, it will be a war of choice or a war without cause or reason," Biden says. "The world will not forget that Russia chose needless death and destruction
If Russia invades Ukraine, "we will rally the world to oppose its aggression," continues @POTUS
The first part of a planned contingent of 2,000 U.S. troops and hundreds of vehicles entered the Czech Republic from Germany on Tuesday en route eastwards to Slovakia for NATO's Saber Strike military drills, a Reuters witness said
Biden: Neither NATO nor Ukraine threatens Russia. We are not attacking Russia. We do not plan to destabilize Russia. I don't believe you want a bloody war
Biden: "To the citizens of Russia, you are not our enemy. And I do not believe you want a bloody destructive war against Ukraine, a country and the people with whom you share such deep ties of family history and culture"
Biden says there are 150,000 Russian troops encircling Ukraine
Biden: "The Russian defense minister reported today that some military units are leaving their positions near Ukraine. That would be good. We have not yet verified that. Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position"
1 year agoUS "prepared no matter what happens" in Ukraine, says @POTUS, adding an attack by Russia is still "very much a possibility"
Washington Post: Russian government hackers have penetrated Ukrainian military, energy and other critical computer systems, U.S. government says
1 year agoMinister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine: At 8pm Kyiv time DDoS attack targeted government Diya portal. So far successfully repelled
1 year agoJoint Forces Operation servicemen trained today with NLAW and M141
1 year agoNot the typical route so far today for the unmanned U.S. surveillance aircraft - just circling in the middle of the country
NATO: Ukraine requests international assistance for large-scale emergencies of various nature. The EADRCC has received today
The French Foreign Ministry: The situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border is very dangerous
European Commission chief hints at possible sanctions against Putin if he decides to invade Ukraine
For a second day in a row, top U.S. general Mark Milley spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart and "reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Pentagon said
1 year agoThere's been a phone call today between @SecBlinken and his Russian counterpart, according to @StateDeptSpox
Russia recognition of Ukraine separatist regions would be 'attack without weapons': France
1 year agoPossible GPS interference for Wizzair W64603 Kharkiv-Larnaca
1 year agoUkrainian Minister of Defense:Very informative discussion with British colleague @BWallaceMP. We exchanged views on the results of his visit to Moscow & my call with the DefMinister of the Belarus. Our positions were synchronized before the meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Feb17
Paris: Macron and Biden agreed to verify the correctness of reports of the start of the Russian withdrawal from the borders of Ukraine
President Biden is expected to provide a status update on the ongoing situation in Ukraine at 3:30 p.m. today, per a person familiar
1 year agoUSAF Rivet Joint getting some work in over Ukraine, but only the western half. JAKE12 is RC-135V 64-14844 AE01C6
Ukraine's delegation to trilateral contact group seeks meeting after Russian parliament calls for recognition of occupied areas in Ukraine
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. are deploying to Poland as part of the 3,000 additional troops that a senior defense official on Friday announced the Pentagon would send to the country, the Army tells
Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security of Ukraine confirms DDoS attack on two largest Ukrainian state banks: Oschadbank and Privatbank, and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces websites
A White House Official says President Joe Biden talked with French President Macron by phone starting at 10:11a ET. That call lasted 49 minutes. They talked about Russian aggression
Website of Ukrainian ministry of defense is down
Estonian PM @kajakallas tells "We haven't seen any deescalation yet" by Russia. "We believe it when we see it but we don't see it right now," she says, echoing NATO Sec-Gen @jensstoltenberg
Users reporting issues with access to largest Ukrainian bank PrivatBank mobile application
Germany's @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz after meeting with Russian President Putin, calls for courageous action from all, says it is our "damned duty" to stand up for peace
Amid Russian statements about redeploying forces, @SecBlinken speaking now to FM Lavrov, a State Dept official says
Asked by @dpa if Russia will withdraw troops from border and commit to not invade, Putin says "we will act according to the plan..and the plan depends on what happens on the ground.."
1 year agoA Russian invasion of Ukraine is "highly likely", but there's a possibility the current stalemate could endure for an "extended period", UK foreign secretary said in a letter to MPs. @trussliz said any invasion, though, could be imminent & happen with no or little warning
Putin, re Ukraine joining NATO: "We need to resolve this question now"
Putin, asked if Russian troop withdrawal will continue, says "who will be able to answer how it will develop? At the moment, nobody. It does not depend just on us."
