Ukraine Invasion: Part 27

[MagicFox]

27th thread, thanks for the continued company and analysis all

@RedToothBrush rush · Today 16:43

That is good news that you managed to get beyond the blocking that awful person was setting up to make the next steps impossible for your Ukrainian. I am curious to know what your well spoken friend in a suit does normally that he made the waves part so to speak.

Well done anyway. It sounds as though lots of other people will be helped by what you sorted out today.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/16/hundreds-of-ukrainian-refugees-left-homeless-in-england-data-shows

Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees left homeless in England, data shows
Exclusive: at least 480 families with children have applied to councils to help with homelessness

Hundreds of Ukrainian families have been left homeless in England after arriving on visas designed to secure them a place to live, official figures reveal. Since the end of February, at least 480 Ukrainian families with children and 180 single adults have applied to councils for help with homelessness.

There is one family that were placed in our area who I know have been made homeless. Grandmother, parents and a couple of kids. The kids are already in school. Its not clear why the arrangement broke down (possibly unsuitable as they are now looking for an alternative host with three rooms and they speak highly of the host).

They are desperate to stay in the area. They like it, theyve made friends and there is a community here.

I think they will be hard pushed to find somewhere.

But as the article says there isn't a formal way to rematch they with a host. They have to do all the hunting themselves. In the meantime they have been put up in a hotel.

It makes no sense, not to have a rehome scheme as part of the programme. Though i fewar a few months down the line that would be a problem for different reasons and hosts say they've done their 6 months...

https://www.anews.com.tr/world/2022/06/16/hundreds-of-ukrainians-welcomed-to-britain-now-classed-as-homeless?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=twitter

The figures which are referred to in this article too, show that there's been more issues with the family scheme than the homes for ukrainians scheme by the look of it.

Btw, the arrangement I know that has broken down locally isn't recorded in these figures. Many authorities didn't respond to the request on data. So this isnt a complete picture...

Key Takeaways

Russian forces continued to launch ground assaults on Severodonetsk and settlements along the Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) to Lysychansk. Ukrainian military intelligence reported that Russian forces are no longer operating as concrete battalion tactical groups (BTGs), as ISW previously assessed.

Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive operations northwest of Slovyansk, while Ukrainian forces reportedly resumed preparations for counteroffensives west of Izyum.

Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in clashes north and northeast of Kharkiv City, though no significant territory changed hands.

Russian forces continued to fortify fallback positions in northwestern Kherson Oblast, likely in anticipation of Ukrainian counteroffensives in the region.

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) Denis Pushilin continued to discuss and sign patronage agreements with Russian regional officials.

+++

UkraineNOW

⚡️Leaders of key EU member states have decided to grant Ukraine candidate status without additional conditions, but then to impose conditions for reforms at all subsequent stages.

⚡️There is an "almost official" agreement among NATO countries not to supply Ukraine with certain types of offensive weapons. President of France Emmanuel Macron confirmed this in a meeting with journalists today.

💪 Olena Zelenska thanked Spain for sheltering more than 100,000 Ukrainian temporary migrants

🇺🇸 Since the beginning of a full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia has lost 20-30% of its armored vehicles – General Mark Milley
He also added that the Ukrainian artillery is many times superior in success and skill to the enemy artillery.

⚡️Zelensky instructed to check the readiness for an invasion from Belarus in four Ukrainian regions - Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov.

📹French self-propelled artilleries Caesar are sent to Ukraine.

📷The latest demining technologies were demonstrated near Kyiv. On Thursday, June 16, the Yellow-Blue Charitable Foundation launched a humanitarian demining program in Ukraine using innovative technologies. In particular, the latest systems of cartography and mines/ammunitions search by drones were demonstrated at the polygon of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kyiv region. [makes a difference from the rumoured Russian plans to send Ukrainians into a minefield eh?]

⚔️ The Russian military continues its offensive in the Sloviansk direction, with fighting for Sievierodonetsk continuing

⚡️The so-called "authorities" of the Kherson region stated that children born in the region after February 24 and orphans would automatically receive Russian citizenship.

(there was a clip of some soldiers mining a pontoon at night - boy those nightvision goggles are -amazing-.
I see why the Russians really, really want them!

+++

Kyiv Independent

Slovenia sends Ukraine 35 infantry fighting vehicles.

⚡️ Deputy Energy Minister: Ukraine receives 300 generators from Europe.

⚡️ UN: Civilian casualties due to Russia’s full-scale war exceed 10,000. According to the UN’s human rights agency, 4,481 civilians have been killed and 5,565 injured. However, the total figure is likely higher

⚡️ Luhansk Oblast Governor: Hundreds of civilians still trapped in Azot chemical plant despite promise of humanitarian corridor. According to Serhiy Haidai, 568 people, including 38 children, remain stranded due to ongoing hostilities surrounding the plant in Sievierodonetsk. On June 14, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it would open a humanitarian corridor for those remaining at the plant on June 15.

⚡️Stoltenberg: NATO to create new plan to strengthen position in eastern Europe.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 16 at a press conference following meetings of NATO Defense Ministers that long-term strengthening of the alliance includes “more NATO forward deployed combat formations to strengthen battlegroups in the eastern part of the alliance.”

Defence of Ukraine
@DefenceU
·
11m
Ukraine government organization
Spasatel Vasily Bekh, a tug of the russian black sea fleet, successfully demilitarized by the @UA_NAVY
. The ship was transporting personnel, weapons and ammunition to the occupied Snake Island.
Moskva never be alone...

(seems that the Ukrainians might be back in business regarding the sea)

If they could reach Snake Island again that would be a very good thing. The Russians have fortified it heavily and can hugely increase their sea control if they retain it

Snake Island is about 35 km from the coast, which is well within the range of the HIMARS that are currently being deployed. I've read that it is expected to be one of the high-priority targets.

@Ijsbear
Thank you for your news.
There is an "almost official" agreement among NATO countries not to supply Ukraine with certain types of offensive weapons. President of France Emmanuel Macron confirmed this in a meeting with journalists today.

I suppose they are too worried that anything else would lead to escalation. This FT article speaks to of how really western Europe is wary and wants to distance itself.
I was able to read it here:
www.ftchinese.com/interactive/74458?full=y
or
englishtimes.uk/western-europes-cynicism-about-ukrainian-suffering

15,000 millionaires (dollar-millionaires) want to leave :o wow

This FT article speaks to of how really western Europe is wary and wants to distance itself.

The piece looks well written and easy on the eye, but it might perhaps be worth bearing in mind that the author appears to be mainly a sportswriter with a sideline in social commentary:

"Simon Kuper is a British author. He writes about sports "from an anthropologic perspective."[1].

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Kuper

The Today Programme BBC Radio 4:

1:51 in Steve Rosenburg discusses his interview with Lavrov. Lavrov admitted Russia is not squeaky clean “It is what it is.” As though Russia no longer cares what others think as is perfectly confident none the less.

2:38 in Professor Nina Kruschev of The New School of New York (International Affairs. Granddaughter of Kruschev) and Edward Luce, US reporter of the FT were discussing the gradual boredom with UKraine, how Biden is no longer gaining points for his help to Ukraine, how the stance has moved subtlety from Russia must be defeated to there will be a negotiated settlement with Russia, from quash Russia to $5 a gallon for gas is too much.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001884w

From the BBC:-

The European Commission is welcoming Ukraine and Moldova as candidates for membership.

But Georgia, another former Soviet republic, is being asked to meet certain conditions before being granted the same status.

"[Moldova] is s on a real pro-reform, anti-corruption and European path," Ursula von der Leyen says.

"Georgia must now come together politically to design a clear path towards structural reform and the EU."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been giving a statement on EU membership applications by Ukraine, as well as Moldova and Georgia.

She says:

Quote Message: We have one clear message - and that is, yes, Ukraine deserves European perspective, yes, Ukraine should be welcomed as a candidate country. This is on the understanding that good work has been done - but important work remains to be done. The entire process is merit-based, so it goes by the book and progress depends entirely on Ukraine. So it is Ukraine that has it in its hands."

We have one clear message - and that is, yes, Ukraine deserves European perspective, yes, Ukraine should be welcomed as a candidate country. This is on the understanding that good work has been done - but important work remains to be done. The entire process is merit-based, so it goes by the book and progress depends entirely on Ukraine. So it is Ukraine that has it in its hands."

mobile.twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1537703406151819267 another boat sunk

@notimagain · Today 10:52
Re FT article about western cynicism about Ukraine’s suffering.

The piece looks well written and easy on the eye, but it might perhaps be worth bearing in mind that the author appears to be mainly a sportswriter with a sideline in social commentary:

That is worth considering, and perhaps this does mean there may be political considerations he is not picking up on and he has got this wrong.

But his anthropological interests would seem to underpin his writing. He also originally wrote about currencies for the FT it seems and has an Oxford/Harvard Kennedy Scholar background from his study of history and German. So his view of this cynicism should perhaps not be dismissed altogether. I hope he is wrong though.

Good news. Hope Ukraine can eventually take back Snake Island soon.

PS there is a music video further down that link 'Don't F*ck with Ukraine'. Motivational propaganda no doubt, but gave me a little cheer for the Ukraine forces. Keep going

@blueshoes · Today 11:58
PS there is a music video further down that link 'Don't Fck with Ukraine'. Motivational propaganda no doubt, but gave me a little cheer for the Ukraine forces. Keep going*

That is a very good video. I so wish Ukraine could just be left in peace, get on with what Zelensky started to get rid of corruption; rebuild without meaning other countries end up owning their businesses and lands; and be free for their very evident talents to flourish on behalf of the world.🙏🇺🇦🌻🌻🌻🌻💙💙💙

The European Commission backs Ukraine’s bid to join the EU.

www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/17/eu-to-give-fast-tracked-opinion-on-ukraine-membership-bid

To be fair on Simon Kuper @notimagain , he's also the author of "Chums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK" https://amzn.eu/d/37HVu4n which ds has just finished and I'm waiting to read. So he's not just a sports writer

But ds says that although the book is interesting and true (and infuriating), Kuper is still analysing through the filter of his own Oxford bias (ie he still sees Oxford as correctly the elite university - it's just the clique he has an issue with ).

I'll give my own view once I've read it.

Arestovych once said that there is no point in taking Snake island back at this stage. It's being regularly polished by artillery from Ukraine, so it will just be the same in reverse if Ukraine takes it back. At the moment Ukraine can just calmly shoot at whatever supply ships come next to it.

⚡️Sanctions against Russia are insane and thoughtless, – Putin.

Means he's still alive standing and speaking.

Unfortunately yes, he gave a depressing long speech today. Though I did chuckle when somebody on Twitter said he was looking more and more like a loaf of cheap white bread that had been left out in the rain 😂

I actually thought he looked quite healthy, if a little full of botox.

His comments around UA joining the EU are interesting - basically he said that was their right as a country to join an economic bloc…… thought UA wasn’t a state in its own right 🤔

Yes it's the Botox - he looks all swell-y. I don't believe he's ill

A lot of trained observers do think he is ill. And he has at least one body double ...

from UkraineNOW, a rather more hopeful one

⚡️ Zelensky: There is some progress at the front in favor of Ukraine thanks to the help of the United States

"Overall, the week was most useful for Ukraine - in many ways. And today I also want to thank U.S. President Biden for the fact that American support for Ukraine is increasing weekly. And this week we have strong results at the front line- precisely because of support of the United States."