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Igbofam:
List the objectives they achieved

Newsweek

Mystery Surrounds Russia Oil Site Strike Blamed on Ukraine, Claimed By None
BY NAVEED JAMALI , DAVID BRENNAN , TOM O'CONNOR AND MICHAEL WASIURA ON 4/01/22 AT 12:50 PM EDT
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Abrazen attack against a Russian oil depot in the border region of Belgorod has elicited international attention but few answers, as Ukrainian officials deflected accusations of their country's involvement in the attack and some even alleged Moscow itself had staged the strike.


But one former senior U.S. intelligence officer cast doubt on that explanation.

Shortly after news of the attack on the fuel site roughly 18 miles from the border emerged Friday, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed the fiery scene was the result of airstrikes conducted by two Ukrainian Air Force helicopters that entered Russian airspace at low altitude.


Footage purporting to depict the moment of the attack was later broadcast, showing what appeared to be a series of strikes against the facility and two Mi-24 helicopters fleeing the scene near to the ground.


The Russian Defense Ministry later confirmed Gladkov's account, adding that the helicopters had taken "advantage of terrain folds" to penetrate Russain territory and strike what the ministry said were civilian facilities with "no relation to the Russian Armed Forces."

At a press conference in Poland, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he could neither confirm nor deny the attack. Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzyanyk took a similar stance when speaking to reporters.


"I want to note that as of today, the Ukrainian state is carrying out a defense operation to repel armed Russian aggression on the territory of Ukraine," Motuzyanyk said. "And this does not mean at all that Ukraine should be responsible for all miscalculations and all catastrophes, all events taking place on the territory of the Russian Federation."

Noting that this was not the first time Kyiv had been accused of cross-border attacks, he said he "will neither confirm nor deny this information."


Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov later appeared to further distance his country's forces from the operation, telling national television that "for some reason, they say that we did it, but according to our information this does not correspond to reality."


A senior Ukrainian intelligence official who spoke to Newsweek on the condition of anonymity said with "99.9%" certainty that the attack was actually a Russian strike conducted deliberately to place the blame on Ukraine.

The official saw it as a potential tactic to drum up further support for Russia's embattled troops as they pivot their strategy away from stalled offensives deep in Ukrainian territory to refocus on the eastern Donbas region, where pro-Moscow separatists first took up arms eight years ago.

This part of the country, home to the self-proclaimed, Russia-recognized Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), is far more accessible and easy to operate in for Russia than it is for Ukraine.


"In order to fly to Belgorod, it was necessary to fly through the entire territory of the DPR unnoticed and return back," the senior Ukrainian intelligence official said. "Do you think this is real?"

But one former senior U.S. counterintelligence officer with extensive work dealing with Russia was less swayed by the "false flag" narrative, telling Newsweek that "the term false flag is being used so much, it's almost as 'fake news' is being used here."

"Nothing I see implies a false flag," the former senior U.S. counterintelligence officer said. "More likely alternative hypotheses are Ukraine confusion about their own ops or Russian sabotage. But this looks like a legit attack to me."


A still image from footage broadcast by the Russian Emergencies Ministry shows the purported aftermath of an April 1 airstrike against a fuel depot in the city of Belgorod, about 18 miles from the border with Ukraine and the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic recognized by Russia. The regional governor has blamed two Ukrainian helicopter for conducting the attack, though Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of its forces.


While Kyiv has opted to pursue a somewhat ambiguous stance, other Ukrainian figures familiar with the matter echoed the senior Ukrainian intelligence official's suspicions that Moscow may have been behind the attack.

A source close to President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also asked not to be named, expressed to Newsweek a belief that the Russians were responsible for the incident.


Similar comments came from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of the Rada's foreign affairs committee, told Newsweek he was "sure" the attack was a false flag.

"I was expecting something like that to happen," he said. "It t was just a matter of time."

"Putin is desperate because he sees that his image and the image of Russia has been tarnished forever due to numerous crimes," Merezhko said. "He needs pretext to somehow justify his actions and accuse Ukraine. The world doesn't believe him because he is a pathological liar, but he needs something for his brainwashed population."


"It's his typical style of the provocateur," he added. "To bomb territory of Russia is absolutely not in the interests of Ukraine and everyone understands it. I'm afraid that Putin's provocations are ahead of us — possibly with the use of chemical or biological weapons."

Iuliia Mendel, President Zelensky's former press secretary, told Newsweek that her "first guess" was that the attack was a Russian false flag. Mendel stressed she could not "be 100 percent sure," and noted that Kuleba refused to confirm or deny Ukrainian involvement.

"Russia has planned provocations to try to escalate the situation," Mendel said. She noted Moscow's history of false flag attacks, disinformation, and propaganda, and said that Russia's poor battlefield performance has left the Kremlin in a difficult negotiating position. Putin might see escalation as a way to regain leverage, Mendel said.


"Russia's behavior is unpredictable, illogical and based on instinctive moves rather on well-balanced positions," she said. "It would be incorrect to look for some logical purpose for this war. The Kremlin successfully grows hatred in its people towards Ukrainians with propaganda. This means Moscow needs to continue mass murders and devastation of Ukraine."

Whether false flag or not, the attack on Belgorod could prove costly for Russia. It is not clear how much fuel was destroyed in the explosion and subsequent fire, but the incident may further weaken Russia's logistics networks, which so far have proven insufficient in supporting the invasion.

Asked whether the Russians would be willing to absorb such costs, Mendel said, "I think [attacking an] oil depot makes lies look more truthful."


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Kyiv and Moscow have repeatedly accused one another of conducting "false flag" attacks as justification for military operations, and both sides have utilized extensive information warfare in an attempt to control the narrative of the war in their favor.

Another incident in Belgorod took place just days earlier when an arms depot caught fire in what both Ukrainian and Russian media outlets initially claimed to be a Ukrainian strike carried out with a Tochka-U tactical ballistic missile. Soon after, however, Russian officials said that the blaze was the result of an accident and Ukrainian officials denied having carried out any attack.


And unlike other events that Ukraine and its foreign supporters, especially the United States, have dismissed as Russian hoaxes, the latest attack in Belgorod has received comparatively less attention in Russian state-run media. Rather than amplify the threat, outlets have sought to downplay the damage dealt by the strike.

An alternative explanation offered by Russian military expert Alexey Leonov in an interview with the Moscow-based newspaper Moskovskaya Komsomolets is that "the helicopter attack was a planned, coordinated operation for which intelligence agencies of NATO countries participated in the preparations."

In this scenario, "NATO provided information on the Russian air defense systems operating in the area of the route," he said.


"I think it was NATO specialists who, taking advantage of the local terrain, laid out the route by which the helicopters crossed the Russian border and attacked the oil depot," Leonov argued. "There is no other way the helicopters would have been able to penetrate our territory. They knew the situation, and information about the situation was given to them by U.S. satellite reconnaissance."

Belgorod Governor Gladkov, for his part, claimed in follow-up statements on the attack in his region that there were "no fuel shortages, there never will be" as service had already been redirected to other nearby sites. The situation, he said, was "stable."

The U.S., which has supported Ukraine politically, economically and militarily throughout the conflict and the eight-year war that preceded it against insurgents in the Donbas, has been largely quiet on the attack.


"We are aware of the news reports but have nothing to provide at this time," a Pentagon spokesperson told Newsweek.

Russia, for its part, has also far avoided a strong reaction to the attack, which authorities said damaged at least seven facilities at the Belgorod oil depot.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned, however, that the incident could hamper ongoing negotiations between the two sides geared toward resolving the conflict.

"Clearly, it's not what could create conditions for further talks," Peskov said, according to the state-run Tass Russian News Agency.


But he refrained from further speculation on the incident.

"It's not for us at the presidential administration to provide assessments," Peskov said. "It is professionals and law enforcement agencies that should do that".

GodHatesBigots:
Russia has failed in its phase 1 aims and objectives. Levelling a city is one thing, occupying it another. For over a month Russia troops are yet to gain full control of Mariupol talk less of other major cities. Meanwhile their economy has all but crumbled and her respect is in tatters.

Russia is the loser here. The west will pump billions into Ukraine to rebuild their infrastructure.

IhateYouMan:
No, they were destroyed

Lamasta:
When they did not withdraw how many towns or cities did they take

Masterito:
They withdrew because of massive loss there. Do you understand now?

Nitah1:
I wonder who is sponsoring you to spread this kind of propaganda....can you provide evidence as to when and where the Russians captured US deliveries?

seunny4lif:
Russia used the same Portable defence missiles provided by USA to shot down one of the helicopters

Igbofam:
Counter it with your version.

As long as it does not favour Russia it is suddenly propaganda

Perhaps in your head Ukraine are telling Russia "thank you sir" as the bombs and missiles drop.

Nitah1:
You know zelensky said something but they took him unserious....he said"if talk with Russia failed the next thing that will happen is world war"
Zelensky know what's doing..... just imagine this embarrassing situation... Russia with it's almighty army and near impossible to penetrate air defenses yet Ukraine enter..

Nitah1:
Liar....US alone can upset that projection.

seunny4lif:
Russia need to cut off oil and gas.
The electricity which Belarus still supply to Ukraine
Then I will know Russia is ready for Ukraine else what they are doing is 50/50.
Yes, they already made nato move back
They have already made Ukraine landlocked
They have got back almost all the land pro Russia speakers are staying.
Now Odessa is the only place separating Main Russia from Moldova

GodHatesBigots:
Russia has failed in its phase 1 aims and objectives. Levelling a city is one thing, occupying it another. For over a month Russia troops are yet to gain full control of Mariupol talk less of other major cities. Meanwhile their economy has all but crumbled and her respect is in tatters.

Russia is the loser here. The west will pump billions into Ukraine to rebuild their infrastructure.

AroleOduduwa2:
Just as expected, Putin need to justify his attack on Ukraine, he want Russians to see that Ukraine is dangerous and will destroy them if he doesn't take actions. I expect more of this attacks by Russia on themselves.

VictorUSA:
According to some, Ukraine is winning only on social media.

VirileNelly2420:
No pics or video?

Drenimarcus:
Won't be surprised if the deep state removes Biden soon. The laptop from hell is already gaining momentum and the Russians are on his tail right now.

Date 31.03.2022. 2

The army of the Donetsk People's Republic shot down two helicopters carrying the commanders of the extremist battalion "Azov" who tried to escape from Mariupol, said the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, Major General Igor Konashenkov.

According to the general, this morning the Kiev regime tried to evacuate the command staff of "Azov" with the help of two helicopters. However, DNR forces shot down both Mi-8s.

One helicopter was shot down by trophy weapons - the American portable anti-aircraft missile complex "Stinger" in the area of ​​Ribacka, while the other Ukrainian Mi-8 missile was damaged, flew in the direction of the Black Sea, and fell 20 kilometers from the coast.

"The Russian Air and Space Forces, with the help of air defense means, shot down one Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter, 30 kilometers west of Izjum, as well as four Ukrainian drones in the area of ​​Tamarin, Lisichansk and Volnovakha," Konashenkov added.

Since the beginning of the special operation in Ukraine, the Russian army has destroyed 124 planes, 80 helicopters, 345 drones and 1.826 tanks and other armored vehicles.
The offensive continues

Insurgents of DNR and LNR continue the offensive in Donbas, 90 Ukrainian fighters were destroyed in a day, Konashenkov said.

"Units of the People's Liberation Army continue their offensive operations on the outskirts of Severodonetsk. During the day, they advanced two kilometers into the depths of the defense of the 57th separate motorized infantry brigade. "Over 40 people from the Ukrainian brigade, three infantry fighting vehicles, three vehicles for various purposes and two Polish warehouses for rocket and artillery weapons were liquidated," he said.
He added that DNR forces had taken control of part of the settlement of Novobahmutovka. Fighting is currently underway with units of the 25th Ukrainian Airborne Brigade on the outskirts of the settlement of Novoselovka.



Earlier, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced that Mariupol had been liberated by 90-95 percent.


https://srbin.info/en/svet/oborena-dva-ukrajinska-helikoptera-sa-komandantima-bataljona-azov/

AroleOduduwa2:
I love the way Russia have quietly dealt with these bandits who come in the morning as a guest and turn to thief in the middle of the night, no media propaganda, no noise, just action.

According to Nigel Farage, NATO had a training facility in Ukraine even though Ukraine is not part of NATO.

Japanese like to act like they are a western country, their woke zombism is out of this world. I hope Russia doesn't exclude them from the unfriendly countries.

princeeze1:
https://georgianjournal.ge/usa-news/25637-victoria-nuland-brings-tea-and-cake-at-ukraine-protests.html

This link above is a video of your so called conspiracy theory, she was urging them on and handing out cookies to protesters to bring down a legitimate government. We all saw how Canada quickly declared protesting Truckers as terrorists, some Capitol Hill rioters are still facing charges.
I may agree that an ideology cannot be defeated by military force, at least let them crush the known ones first.
As for Russia dictating to a sovereign nation, I don’t think I have the strength to explain that again. Answer why the US refused to allow Cuba host Soviet nuclear missiles. Is Cuba less sovereign than Ukraine. I guess you see the hypocrisy now right? A Soviet missile or NATO missile, stationed in Cuba/Ukraine as case maybe gives missile defense next to no time to detect, track, analyze and engage in event of a preemptive first strike. Secondly, such bases becomes an easy staging ground for adversarial troops. It will be easy for the US to mobilize against Russia from Ukrainian soil, than move aircraft carriers which can be sank on high seas by a super power, vice versa. It’s all about the balance of power. I know you know all these. I am not replying you for your amusement and consumption, but for future references people will research and see views and counter views.

princeeze1:
Lol, it was Ukraine that even proposed to become a neutral state in other to end the war, Russia clearly rejected the idea of referendum on these issues. You can see screenshot.
Denazification, pretend you don’t know the Azov battalion currently being pounded in mauripol have nazi orientation. Nazism is an ideology. See screenshot also.
Demilitarization well achieved. I stated how clearly, I won’t repeat so you can choose to live in denial.
Lastly, NATO, at least you agree NATO was a major issue before the conflict, but as cunning as usual, you clearly started from Crimea annexation without looking at the prelude to it. You cleverly omitted how the CIA sponsored a covert uprising to overthrow a legitimate government in Ukraine for being pro Russian using same Libyan template. Evidence of how under secretary Victoria nuland and co personally participated in the maidan protests handing out cookies to protesters and calling for the overthrow of the government so as to pave way for a pro NATO government.
You choose the convenience of the necessary steps taken to put a stop to NATO encroachment by Russia. Peace cannot come by folding your hands and allowing NATO encircle you. The war was just and it’s aim well achieved at a reasonable cost. Major non NATO countries India, China, Mexico, South Africa, have all come out to say NATO eastward expansion is the reason for tensions all over the world. The US wants to pursue an all world conquering imperialism. Buts it’s dangerous because absolute power corrupts absolutely.

princeeze1:
It is very clear from all your comments that you come online to argue, not to enhance your knowledge but to pacify your ego with bare lies.
I will indulge and disprove your lies. What led to war was the NATO eastern encroachment. It was a clear security risk. NATO markets it’s self as a defensive alliance, yet in all the conflicts of its entire history, it was always the invading force. There were very clear dialogues before the war, Russia tried to get Ukraine to implement Minsk 2. Minsk 2 would have effectively killed the NATO ambitions because the Donbass were to be given a special administrative status, meaning they would have a say if Ukraine would ascend NATO. Zelensky, obviously urged on by powers that be refused saying he no longer wanted Minsk 2, a draft that predates his presidency. Seeing Germany and France could not influence zelensky to implement Minsk 2, Russia drafted 2 treaties addressed to both the US and NATO concerning same Ukraine NATO ascension, we all know how they were arrogantly rebuffed. Ukraine claimed sovereignty to join whatever it wanted, NATO claimed open door policy saying Russia had no say on Ukrainian NATO ascension.
Russia clear went to war because of this NATO issue and Putin in his address to Duma asking for authorization to use military force stated clearly the goal is to 1) Ensure Ukraine never joined NATO, 2) Demilitarize Ukraine, 3)Denazify Ukraine. It is very different from negotiations to stop the war. In the negotiations, the following are Russian demands 1)Neutrality 2)Denazify 3) Demilitarize 4) Recognition of both Crimean/Donbass status 5) Rights of Russian speakers. You must be a chronic liar if you would somehow want to say neutrality that they tried to achieve using both Minsk 2 and the draft treaties, now achieved via war was not an achievement. That Ukraine has not been demilitarized is delusional, when it’s navy is now non existent, all airbases, command and control, military depots, airfields, air defense/crafts are all destroyed. They are mounting resistance using mainly volunteers holed in residential cities with western supplied MANPADs and NLAWs. Lastly, denazification, the notorious Azov are based in mauripol, just search mauripol and see how it has currently been decimated, the fight is centered there now and unless the city surrenders, it will be leveled to the ground. It’s all lies trying to spin the truth, that thesame neutrality that was demanded peacefully has now been given at the cost of Ukraine’s destruction. Just to buttress your lies, look at your statement “before the invasion, Putin set two conditions for immediate ceasefire”. How can condition for immediate ceasefire come before an invasion even starts?

seunny4lif:
Norweigan PM had a telephone conversation with Putin, after which he stated the importance of ongoing dialogue with Russia

seunny4lif:
IMF warns Russia sanctions threaten to chip away at dollar dominance - FT

Russia has stated that it is ready to accept Turkish lira to pay for all goods that will be sold to Turkey, which Turkey already said it will help her own currency.

Today meeting btw Russia government and India government

VictorUSA:
Lol! you believe joke.That wasn't true but a joke.Go and confirmed.

gambojimeta:
You and lies are like 5&6

Na US visa denial dey increase your hatred for the Great US of A

ken6488:
actually USA is not dumb like you

USA will always fight for her interest they know increasing pressure on Russia will spoil things


What they criteria of check rich 20 countries is it not the dollar


Russia and China are about the make the dollar and euro worst


First junction is the euro Russia and China will make sure Africa is no longer exploited to make the euro stronger


For the dollar, crude oil and gas supply wouldn't be using it again

USA literally shot her self in the face

By the time everyone starts returning dollars bills to the USA main land

It will be too late

samwheel:
Russia didn't expose US, dey exposed themselves to d world and d world now know how weak they are without nuclear weapons.
US predicted dat kyiv will fall within a week, it's over a month now and they still haven't captured kyiv.
Dey keep crying and threatening to use nukes if US and NATO interfere.
In as much as I like Putin becos of his personality, he's a mad man who is not afraid to nuke d world if he feels threatened, u think US are ready to lose all they have worked for for years just because of a silly war.