This Blog is created to stress the importance of Peace as an environmental directive. “I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.” – Harry Truman
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...NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence is currently led by the UK Royal Tank Regiment, with France and Denmark also providing forces on a rotating basis....
NATO says that the drill, named Cold Response and including 200 aircraft and 50 vessels, is “not linked to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.”
The drill in NATO-member Norway, which shares a nearly 200-kilometer (124-mile) land border with Russia, will be held just a few hundred kilometers from the Russian border and was planned long before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine....
The Russian tanks are destroyed in Mariupol. Those streets look exactly like the streets in Syria. Everything is destroyed. Rubble everywhere.
The Kremlin said 23 civilians, including children, had died in the attack on the separatist-held Donetsk oblast which it blamed on Ukrainian forces and said involved cluster munitions and branded a 'war crime'.
Kyiv hit back, denying the attack had come from them and claiming the missile was Russian - suggesting Moscow carried out the attack itself as a bloody 'false flag' attack intended to justify an attack in retaliation....
The train tracks need to be disrupted and destroyed. There are videos now taken down on You Tube. showing the bombing of apartment buildings near railroad tracks. Putin wants to move his tanks and reenforcements supplies from China and 16.000 Syrian soldiers via railroad.
He is killing civilians to bring in heavy artillary. The Ukrainians are in the way of his plans.
Trains can't move without engines pulling them. Engines have wheels. It is uncertain if Putin is taking the time to armor his engines. Tank missiles will work. However, the disruption of train tracks will definitively slow the movement of reinforcements. There is always a chance Putin will have workers to repair the tracks. Stop them if it is possible.
There is a fall in electricity production from the nuclear plants once again. That might be a good sign of the nuclear reactors coming off of line and sequestering the fuel. The other dynamic could be that people running the reactors are Ukrainians and are exhausted with possible radiation exposure. The workers in the plants are more like POW and probably haven't seen food or water. So, shutting them down by the remaining workers might be the only reasonable option.
There is some discussion that Putin's trains can use the rails running into the nuclear plants to unload their tanks and troops.
They have vulnerabilities. Putin can't rebuild a diesel engine to replace the ones he enjoys now.
The ignition of diesel fuel (click here) pushes pistons connected to an electric generator. The resulting electricity powers motors connected to the wheels of the locomotive. A “diesel” internal combustion engine uses the heat generated from the compression of air during the upward cycles of the stroke to ignite the fuel. The inventor Dr. Rudolph Diesel designed this type of engine. It was patented in 1892.
Diesel fuel is stored in a fuel tank and delivered to the engine by an electric fuel pump. Diesel fuel has become the preferred fuel for railroad locomotive use due to its lower volatility, lower cost, and common availability. The diesel engine (A) is the main component of the diesel-electric locomotive. It is an internal combustion engine comprised of several cylinders connected to a common crankshaft. Fuel is ignited by the intense compression, pushing the piston down. The piston’s movement turns a crankshaft.
The diesel engine is connected to the main generator (B), which converts the engine’s mechanical power to electrical power. The electricity is then distributed to traction motors (C) through circuits established by various switchgear components.
Because it is always turning, whether the locomotive is moving or not, the main generator’s output is controlled by the excitation field current to its windings.
The engineer controls the power output of the locomotive by using an electrically-controlled throttle. As it is opened, more fuel is injected into the engine’s cylinders, increasing its mechanical power output. Main generator excitation increases, increasing its electrical output.
Each traction motor (C) is directly geared to a pair of driving wheels. The use of electricity as the “transmission” for the locomotive is far more reliable than using a mechanical transmission and clutch. Starting a heavy train from a dead stop would burn out a clutch in a brief time.
These are the Syrian soldiers that also used barrel chlorine bombs that killed civilians. The people may need gas masks to escape the war. Any kind will do. WWII gas masks work. The letter "Z" or "V" or some other large capital letter is support for the Putin war. Russia uses the large letters in the field to prevent friendly fire.
India has plenty of problems with it's interior, including enormous amount of slums. India also has a relationship with Nepal and Bangladesh. I think India is making a mistake. China is assisting Russia and China attempted to take and close a land crossing in India. It is time India take on the tough stance of governance, improve the quality of life of it's people and end relationships with countries that mean it harm.
14 March 2022 By Lauren Lewis
India may bail out Russia (click here) by taking up an offer to buy crude oil and other commodities at a discount despite Western attempts to isolate Moscow through sanctions.
India, which imports 80 per cent of its oil needs, usually buys only about 2-3 per cent from Russia. But with oil prices up 40 per cent so far this year, the government is looking at increasing this if it can help reduce its rising energy bill.
'Russia is offering oil and other commodities at a heavy discount. We will be happy to take that,' an Indian government official said, declining to elaborate on how much oil was on offer and what the discount was....
It is time for India to shed the slavery of dependency.
1 June 2021
By Ethirajan Anbarasan
Nawang Dorjay (click here) spent months on Black Top Mountain in the contested Ladakh border region between India and China, ferrying supplies back and forth for the Indian army.
The 62-year-old veteran, who runs a small convenience store in the village of Merak, feared for his life as he went along the mountain crest, carrying ammunition and other essentials. Mr Dorjay had been recruited along with hundreds of others from nearby villages when tensions escalated dramatically between the two armies last year.
"We came close to the Chinese and we thought they might target us," he said....
"Most Favored Nation" status to be removed from WTO as Putin proves Russia is a rouge country.
Western trade with Putin is coming to an end.
Putin is turning his error filled invasion into Ukriane into a global emergency where countries have to choose sides. This is what Putin and Xi want. They want to dominate the planet and destroy democracy.
Incredible reporting by CBS about the casualities of the Ukraine War. (click here) It is hard to argue with the facts as they occur. The journalist was probably embedded which is safer than going it alone. The Ukrainians speak English. Many Europeans do as I can attest to, but, they also as easily in some instances speak Russian. The Ukrainians fight like Lions.
The Ukrainians have always wanted peace. Their non-aggressive stance which included standing alone without an affiliation with NATO has always proved to be the method for relationships, including the EU and Russia. it is Putin and his faux agenda of reconstituting the Soviet Union that is the issue here.
...In the near term, (click here) Russia’s aggression is sure to invigorate Mr. Biden’s global fight for democracy against autocracies like Moscow, making vivid the threats to fledgling democracies like Ukraine. Yet three increasingly authoritarian NATO nations — Poland, Hungary and Turkey — play key roles in the coalition aiding Kyiv. And the United States is grappling with internal assaults to its own democracy....
The article below also shows a Ukrainian refugee camp in Poland. All the countries surrounding Ukraine are taking on refugees, but, I believe Poland has the largest population so far.
March 14, 2022 By Jim Sciutto, Sam Fossum, Kaitlan Collins and Kylie Atwood,
Washington, DC - Russia (click here) has asked China for military support, including drones, as well as economic assistance for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, according to conversations CNN had with two US officials.
The requests came after the invasion, one of the officials said. That official declined to detail the Chinese reaction but indicated that the Chinese had responded. Both the Chinese and Russian governments publicly denied that the request happened.
Potential assistance from the Chinese would be a significant development in Russia's invasion. It could upend the hold Ukrainian forces still have in the country as well as provide a counterweight to the harsh sanctions imposed on Russia's economy.
News of Russia's request came before White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, in Rome on Monday as part of a follow-up conversation to President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping's virtual meeting last November, according to National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne....
March 14, 2022 By Robert Schroder
Picture to the left is the United Kingdom assembly in Parlament when President Zelenskyy addressed them virtually. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (click here) will speak virtually to members of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday at 9 a.m., top Democratic leaders announced on Monday. "Congress remains unwavering in our commitment to supporting Ukraine as they face [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's cruel and diabolical aggression, and to passing legislation to cripple and isolate the Russian economy as well as deliver humanitarian, security and economic assistance to Ukraine," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in announcing the speech. Lawmakers this week are preparing to move quickly to end normal trade relations with Russia as one form of punishment over the invasion of Ukraine.
Ukriane is demonstrating to the world what democracy is all about. It is a strong method of governance that builds strong citizens dedicated to each other and prosperity. I can only imagine what the post Soviet countries are feeling right now. Ukraine is doing this on their own and it has to be inspiring to all those that embarce freedom.
Ukrainian (click here) emergency employees and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman from a maternity hospital that was damaged by shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, March 9, 2022. The woman and her baby died after Russia bombed the maternity hospital where she was meant to give birth.
Elon Musk (click here) wants to take on Vladimir Putin in a wrestling match. I know people will say this is a publicity stunt because both men get so much press coverage, but, Elon Musk means it. He is about the same generation as President Zelenskyy and Musk is hopping angry over the invasion and the loss of life. He sincerely wants to take Putin in a fight match. Sorry, Elon, Putin has his heart set on beating President Zelenskyy into the dust.
During the past 24hrs, in the area of the Joint Forces Operation, the SES units have made 18 interventions to prevent emergencies, extinguish fires and eliminate other dangerous events, during which:
A person was rescued;
prompt response to 10 dangerous events was provided;
10 fires were extinguished among them 8 fires in Donetsk oblast and 2 in Luhansk Oblast, at the same time were prevented the destruction by fire of 3 buildings,
2.5 hectares of territory were inspected and 77 explosive devices were disposed of;
the work of seven points of assistance to local population within the entry / exit checkpoints along the contact line was ensured, provided assistance to 6 persons.
Fires
A fire of three transformers of the first stage (40 tons of oil in each) of Luhansk TPP in Shchastya town, Luhansk oblast at 12:38 hrs. as a result of the shelling. About 12 years. 12 vehicles and 40 personnel were involved from the SES. The forces and means of the SES were in Novoaydar town and Petrivka town at a safe distance due to the shelling. The extinguishing of fire were not conducted due to the lack of "silence" mode.
As of the elimination of the consequences of the shelling of the territory of Ukraine by the occupying forces
Luhansk Oblast
At about 08:50hrs. as a result of shelling from the uncontrolled territory, were damaged the roof of a 5-storey residential building in the town of Shchastya, Donetska street.
At about 10:00hrs. as a result of shelling from the uncontrolled territory, were damaged the private living house in the town of Shchastya, Gagarina street.
At about 11:00hrs. as a result of shelling from the uncontrolled territory, were damaged 4 private living houses in Trokhizbenka village of Shchastya district, Mury street.
At 19:10hrs. were received a report of a fire in a living house as a result of shelling in the Muratove village. Upon arrival, it was found that the outbuilding was burning (garage, summer kitchen) on an area of 300 m2, the windows of the apartment building were broken.
At 20:33hrs. the fire were localized. At 21:20hrs. the fire were extinguished. There were neither victims no injured reported.
Donetsk Oblast
At 08:30hrs. 4 personnel and 1 vehicle of the SES of Ukraine in Donetsk Oblast were engaged in the restoration work of a damaged living house in Zalizne town, Bakhmut district, Chekhova street.
About 15:18hrs. restoration work were performed.
At 11:56hrs. employees of JSC DTEK Donetsk Electric Networks accompanied by pyrotechnic calculation of 5 personnel and
2 vehicles of the Main Department of the SES of Ukraine in Donetsk Oblast, restored overhead power line 110 kV of "Kurakhivska TPP - Smolyanka - 2" and restored the power supply of Krasnohorivka town (7000 persons).
As of 17:35hrs. as a result of repeated shelling, the town of Krasnohorivka in the Pokrovsky district (7000 people) was cut off.
At 17:35hrs. from the Head of the Sartan WCA the Main Department of the SES of Ukraine in the Donetsk oblast received information about a fire in a private house in the village Vodyane of Mariupol district, which is located in close proximity to the "line of contact". No one was killed or injured. Due to the lack of security guarantees, SES personnel were not involved.
During February 22, as a result of military activities were cut off 5 settlements (town of Krasnohorivka, Pokrovsky district, village of Novoluhanske (partially) of Bakhmut district, village of Novoselivka tretya, Troitske village of Pokrovsk district and village of Staromaryivka of Volnovakha district).
As of 16:20hrs. electricity and gas supply were restored, as well as the operation of the boiler and sewage pumping station. There are currently no violations in the life support systems of the settlement.
At 19:15hrs. the Main Department of the SES of Ukraine in the Donetsk oblast received information that as a result of military activities in the town of Marinka, Pokrovsk district, on the street Paryzka, 34, were wounded man, born in 1972 Preliminary diagnosis: shrapnel wounds to the shoulder and hand of the left hand. The victim was hospitalized in the trauma department of the Kurakhiv City Hospital, his condition is satisfactory.
As of 1640hrs. the point of providing assistance to the population, which was deployed and operated in Krasnohorivka on the basis of the secondary school №5, completed functioning.
At 19:25hrs. The Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Donetsk Oblast in Krasnohorivka, Pokrovsk district, has deployed and ensured the operation center for the population assistance on the basis of the secondary school № 5. Electricity is also provided to the boiler house. Since the beginning of the work, 190 people have applied to the aid point.
Rescuers are on duty at the scene, a diesel power plant is involved.
Disconnection from the power supply due to the shelling as of 06:30hrs. of February 23, 2022. Troitske village (partially), Viskryva village (partially), Novozvanivka village (partially) in total of 474 subscribers were disconnected. Orikhove village (completely) Shypilove (partially) in total 243 subscribers were disconnected. village St. Aidar (completely) Peredilske village (completely) Geivka village (completely) Raigorodka village (completely) Olkhove village (completely) 1867 subscribers were left without electricity suplly, Vrubivka village (partially) disconnected 177 subscribers. Disconnection from gas supply due to shelling in the village of Lobacheve (partially) 55 subscribers without gas supply. Vrubivka town (partially). Without gas supply 166 subscribers Disconnection from heat supply due to shelling in the town of Shchastya (completely). In total 4150 subscribers are disconnected.
"Morning Papers"
The Rooster
"Okeydoke"
This is really disappointing news, but, Putin has said he will nationalize all the assets currently in Russia by companies leaving Russia. So, while these stores may still be open, it might be the Russian government maintaining their operations. I suppose the Putin can nationalize them, but, he cannot operate the business under it's trade name. For doing that, if McDonalds sincerely left Russia, Putin could be sued in court for using the commercial name of the franchise.
This is what happens in a dictatorship, Putin gets to rampage in countries and kill people at will while extorting companies leaving Russia for continued monies into the national treasury.
The moon over Kiev, Ukraine, early on Monday, with the planet Venus just above it. Early this week, the moon momentarily obscured Venus, then Mars and then Mercury, in what is known as a lunar occultation. While the occultation was difficult for most people to witness, these games of planetary peek-a-boo can be important opportunities for astronomers: http://nyti.ms/2yj8Qz4
