Facebook owner Meta BANS Russian state media from running ads or monetising content on the social media

- Meta has banned Russian state media from running ads or monetising content on Facebook
- Vladimir Putin ordered block on Facebook, claiming it was response to tech giant’s ‘censorship’ of state media
- Russia’s tyrant has launched sweeping crackdown on internal dissent over the war in Ukraine
- Media watchdog told media to remove reports describing attack as ‘assault, invasion or declaration of war’
- Russian newspapers which fail to comply could be blocked or fined 5million rubles ($60,000)

Meta has banned Russian state media from running ads or monetising content on Facebook as Vladimir Putin launches a sweeping crackdown on internal dissent over Russia’s unpopular and illegal aggressive war with Ukraine.

Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of security policy, announced the ban on Twitter, writing: ‘We are now prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world.

‘We also continue to apply labels to additional Russian state media. These changes have already begun rolling out and will continue into the weekend’.

Putin on Friday ordered a ‘partial’ block on Facebook, with Kremlin officials claiming it was a response to the tech giant’s ‘censorship’ of its state media. The move came after Facebook limited the accounts of several Kremlin-backed media over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s tyrant is now frantically repressing domestic criticism of the war in Ukraine, with the media watchdog on Saturday ordering media to remove reports describing the Kremlin’s attack as an ‘assault, invasion or declaration of war’, or face being blocked and fined.

In a statement, Roskomnadzor accused several independent media outlets including television channel Dozhd and the country’s top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta of spreading ‘unreliable socially significant untrue information’ about the shelling of Ukrainian cities by the Russian army and civilian deaths.

Citing a request from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the communications regulator said the media outlets that also include Echo of Moscow radio will be blocked unless they remove the ‘unreliable information’.

‘Roskomnadzor also launched an administrative investigation into the dissemination of unreliable publicly significant information by the above-mentioned media,’ the watchdog said. The offence is punishable by a fine of up to 5 million rubles ($60,000), it said.

The Russian media regulator also said that ‘reliable information’ could be found in ‘official Russian information outlets’.

Moscow has not so far provided any details of Russian losses in the fighting in the face of statements from Kyiv that they have inflicted heavy casualties on Moscow’s forces.

The invasion of Ukraine is taking place during an unprecedented attack on the Russian opposition, with top protest leaders assassinated, jailed or forced out of the country.

Putin’s war appears to be proving unpopular in Russia, with protesters taking to the streets of Moscow and St Petersburg calling for an end to the violence.

This week, Russian police have detained more than 1,700 people at anti-war protests across Russia.

Some 1,702 people in 53 Russian cities were detained, at least 940 of them in Moscow and over 340 people in the second-largest city Saint Petersburg, according to OVD-Info, which tracks arrests at opposition rallies.

Meanwhile, Russians are understood to have been warned by authorities that any ‘negative comments’ about Putin’s aggression would be treated as ‘treason’.

It comes after human rights advocates warned of a new wave of repression on dissent in Russia as protests got underway.

‘There will be new (criminal) cases involving subverters, spies, treason, prosecution for antiwar protests, there will be detentions of journalists and bloggers, those who authored critical posts on social media, bans on investigations of the situation in the army and so on,’ prominent human rights advocate Pavel Chikov wrote on Facebook.

‘It is hard to say how big this new wave will be, given that everything has been suppressed already.’

More than 150 senior Russian officials signed an open letter condemning Putin’s invasion as ‘an unprecedented atrocity’ and warning of ‘catastrophic consequences’.

The deputies said they were convinced Russian citizens do not back the war and blamed Putin ‘personally’ for ordering troops into Ukraine in an attack ‘for which there is no and cannot be justification’.

Several Russian celebrities and public figures, including those working with state TV, have spoken out against the attack as well.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10554645/Meta-bans-Russian-state-media-running-ads-monetising-Facebook.html

West warns Russia could use terror weapon that vaporizes bodies alongside a massive Amphibious assault as invaders run into fierce resistance in Kyiv

• Brave civilian pictured trying to block Russian military convoy, reminiscent of Tiananmen Square's 'tank man'
• Came as Putin's forces bared down on capital Kyiv, with troops and citizens braced for street-to-street battle
• Russians thought to be trying to take an airport, allowing them to fly in reinforcements for an all-out assault
• It came as they suffered heavy casualties elsewhere in the country, though did capture key bridge in Kherson
• Putin called on the Ukrainian military to turn on their 'drug-addict' leaders, but there seemed little sign of that as civilians lined up to collect rifles and help defend the capital

Russia could use savage superweapons that vaporize bodies and crush internal organs if their assault of Ukraine becomes bogged down, Western officials warned tonight.

They fear Vladimir Putin could resort to high-power thermobaric weapons - dubbed the 'father of all bombs' - as brave Ukrainians resist his attempts to take control of Kyiv.

There are also concerns that units that are running behind schedule as they encounter stiff opposition could resort to indiscriminate shelling as a terror weapon.

Thermobaric weapons - also known as vacuum bombs - are high-powered explosive that use the atmosphere itself as part of the explosion. They are among the most powerful non-nuclear weapons ever developed.

A thermobaric bomb dropped by the US on Taliban in Afghanistan in 2017 weighed 21,600 pounds and left a crater more than 300 meters (1,000 feet) wide after it exploded six feet above the ground.

Thermobaric weapons were developed by both the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the 1960s. In September 2007, Russia detonated the largest thermobaric weapon ever made, which created an explosion equivalent to 39.9 tons.

The U.S. version of the weapon reportedly costs over $16 million each.

'My fear would be that if they don't meet their timescale and objectives they would be indiscriminate in their use of violence,' the official said. 'They don’t adhere to the same principles of necessity and proportionality and rule of law that Western forces do.'

The bomb works by using oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high-temperature explosion, making it far deadlier than a conventional weapon.

While Russian special forces have reached the suburbs of Kyiv, the bulk of Russia's heavy armour is believed to be still more than 50km away from the capital.

Western officials have suggested Russia will kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his ministers if they seize Kyiv.

Russia is launching a massive amphibious assault to bring thousands of navy personnel ashore in Ukraine on Friday, as Kyiv puts up a more aggressive defense than Moscow ever expected.

The assault is already underway in Ukraine, and Russian personnel sailed through the Sea of Azov, coming into west of Mariupol, a senior U.S. defence official said. The amphibious assault represents a significant ramping up of the conflict, as the Russian navy has until now played a largely supporting role in the fight.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has staged two amphibious attacks - the other is in Crimea and could land troop sin Odesa.

The U.S. has counted 200 Russian missile attacks so far. While most have been launched toward Ukrainian military installations, some have hit civilian areas.

The senior U.S. defence official said Friday that Russia appears to have lost some of its momentum due to the Ukrainian's fiery resistance.

'We do assess that there is greater resistance by the Ukrainians than the Russians expected,' the official said, adding Ukraine's command and control of its military 'remains intact.'

'They are not moving on Kyiv as fast as what we believe they anticipated they would be able to do. That said, they continue to try to move on Kyiv.'

The official also said several hundred Americans have left Ukraine over the past few hours.

Still, Putin has only mobilized about one-third of the troops he has stationed at the Ukraine border, the official said.

Few expect Ukraine to emerge victorious from what is almost certain to be a prolonged, bloody, and vicious war - but so far, Kyiv's forces have managed to inflict heavy losses on Putin's troops.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said today that Putin's forces had failed to achieve many of their first day objectives. He said Russia had lost more than 450 personnel so far. Ukraine put the figure closer to 800. Neither number has been independently verified.

Western officials also suggested that Russia is avoiding many urban areas in order to avoid being bogged down in street fighting that could create heavy casualties and slow their advance.

Chief of Defence Intelligence Sir Jim Hockenhull said: 'Russian forces continue to advance on two axis towards Kyiv. Their objective is to encircle the capital, to secure control of the population and change the regime.

'Russia continues to conduct strikes across Ukraine. Overnight Russia launched a concerted series of strikes on targets in Kyiv. Multiple Rocket Launchers have been employed in Chernihiv and Kharkiv.

'Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to offer strong resistance, focusing on the defence of key cities throughout Ukraine.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10552743/Furious-Putin-prepares-use-father-bombs-brave-Ukrainians-hold-advance.html

For the first time ever, the NATO Response Force has been activated as a defensive measure in response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Tod Wolters activated the multinational force consisting of land, air, sea and special operations forces from the allies that can deploy quickly in support of the NATO alliance.

The activation of the response troops does not mean that any US or NATO troops will go into Ukraine, which is not a member. US President Joe Biden has been clear that US troops are deploying to eastern Europe to help bolster NATO countries nervous about Russia's aggressive actions, and they will not be fighting in Ukraine.

"This is an historic moment and the very first time the Alliance has employed these high readiness forces in a deterrence and defense role. They represent a flexible, combat credible force that can be employed in multiple ways and we are utilizing fully their inherent agility," Wolters said in a statement "These deterrence measures are prudent and enhance our speed, responsiveness and capability to shield and protect the one billion citizens we swore to protect."

The force has not yet deployed but is on standby. It's not clear how many troops the response force will contain.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/25/politics/nato-ukraine-russia/index.html.

Read the full speech which was released a few hours ago on the 25th of February 2023


Thank you so much Prime Minister, dear Mark, thank you so much for your kind words and also for your strong leadership and personal commitment to our Alliance, and it is great to be here with you all online.

Let me also thank to the Netherlands and Germany for co-hosting this important seminar today.
And I am delighted that former NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is joining these discussions today.

Let me also thank Canada, Italy, Portugal, and Spain,
and our partners Finland and Sweden,
for co-sponsoring this event.
This is the third in a series of four seminars,
to help prepare our next Strategic Concept.
And this seminar focuses, as you mentioned, on partnerships.

***

Today we are facing the most dangerous moment in European security for a generation.
Our highly valued partner, Ukraine, remains under imminent threat from Russia.

NATO Allies are united in their full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

We will continue to provide Ukraine with strong political, practical and financial support.
To help Ukraine build their defence capabilities,
modernise their defence and security institutions,
and uphold their right to self-defence,
which is enshrined in the UN Charter.

Many NATO Allies also provide important bilateral support to Ukraine.
And I welcome the recent decision by the Dutch government to provide military equipment to Ukraine to defend itself.

***

There is much at stake in today’s crisis.
The risk of conflict is real.

Russia is using force and ultimatums.
Not only to redraw borders in Europe.
But to try to re-write the entire global security architecture.

Moscow is challenging fundamental principles for our security.
Like NATO’s right to protect and defend all Allies.
And the right for every nation to choose their own path.

This is not only about Ukraine and Georgia.
It is also about denying other European countries,
like Finland and Sweden,
their freedom to choose.

Finland and Sweden are two highly-valued partners bordering the Baltic sea,
with whom we cooperate closely.
In joint exercises, operations and political dialogue.

The crisis in Ukraine underlines the importance of cooperating with our partners.
To defend our shared values and security.
Not least with the European Union.

We are working closely together on the current crisis.
I speak regularly with my EU counterparts.
And NATO Allies,
including Canada, the United States and United Kingdom,
are coordinating with the European Union on economic sanctions.
As we saw very clearly yesterday.

NATO and the European Union are two sides of the same coin.
We have different roles, remits and membership.
But what we do is complementary.

So while the EU is strengthening all the tools in its toolbox in respect to the current crisis,
NATO has enhanced our deterrence and defence across the Alliance.
With more troops, ships and planes.

We have significantly increased our military presence in the east of the Alliance.
And we are ready to do even more.

I welcome, as you said Mark, that the Netherlands has increased the readiness of its forces for the NATO Response Force.
It is sending more troops to our multinational battlegroup in Lithuania.
And more fighter jets to Bulgaria.
This shows that the Netherlands is a highly valued and very committed NATO ally.
Beyond the current crisis, NATO and the EU are cooperating in many other areas.
From cyber security,
to stability in the Western Balkans,
and maritime issues in the Aegean.

We have lifted NATO-EU cooperation to unprecedented levels in recent years.
And our ambition is to go even further.
In new areas like resilience,
emerging technologies,
and the security impact of climate change.

The Netherlands has been a key driver of closer NATO-EU cooperation,
including on military mobility.
And I thank you, Prime Minister Rutte, for that.

***

NATO’s partnerships are fundamental to our ability to preserve peace,
promote stability,
and increase security for all.

They are a two-way street.
That help us all adapt to a more contested and competitive world.

Over the last three decades, NATO has built a broad network of partnerships.
With countries and organisations,
near and far.
From Finland and Sweden,
to Colombia and Mauritania.
And from the Mediterranean,
to the Asia Pacific region.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall,
NATO’s partnerships helped spread freedom, democracy and security throughout Europe.

Since the 1990s, NATO’s operational partners have helped increase stability beyond our borders.

And NATO’s partnerships remain essential,
as we continue to adapt to a more dangerous and competitive world today.

We also work with many other partners, for example, with Iraq.
And our partners in the Middle East and North Africa.
To stabilise our neighbourhood.
And fight international terrorism.

Through our NATO 2030 agenda and next Strategic Concept,
we are significantly stepping up our training and capacity-building support to partners.
In areas like counter-terrorism, crisis management, peacekeeping, and defence reforms.

We also want to deepen our existing partnerships,
and develop new ones.

To work with likeminded countries to address the security implications of a more competitive world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are faced with a new normal.
A world of rising strategic competition.
And increasing challenges to our security.
Where authoritarian powers are seeking to re-write the global rulebook.
And demonstrate that might is right.

So we face a fundamental question.
About the world we want to live in.

One where big powers dictate what others do, through aggression and ultimatums.

Or a world where everyone is free to choose their own path.
Able to live in freedom and democracy.
This is the world we want.
And the one we are working for.
We are stronger and safer when we stand together.

Thank you so much.


https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_192377.htm

Russia's membership in the Council of Europe has been suspended after its invasion of Ukraine, Italy's Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Friday.

The Council of Europe was formed after World War Two to protect human rights and the rule of law across the continent. It is separate from the European Union.

"The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, of which Italy holds the presidency, has taken the decision to exclude the Russian Federation from its membership," Di Maio said in a statement.

"Italy considers this to be a necessary measure in light of Russia's unacceptable military aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law," he added.

https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/russia-suspended-from-council-of-europe-after-ukraine-invasion

Mynd44:
So the allied forces and Russia are going to turn Ukraine to their battle field

More than 150 senior Russian officials have signed an open letter condemning Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine as 'an unprecedented atrocity' and warning of 'catastrophic consequences'.

The deputies said they were 'convinced' Russian citizens do not back the war and blamed Putin 'personally' for ordering troops into Ukraine in an attack 'for which there is no and cannot be justification'.

Putin in the early hours of today gave the order to attack, delivering an extraordinary address to the Russian nation in which he declared a 'special military operation' to 'de-militarise' and 'de-Nazify' Ukraine in what amounted to a outright declaration of war.

Missiles and bombs rained from the sky, tanks rolled across the border, troops parachuted down on eastern regions and explosions were seen across the country in the early hours and into the morning.

The letter urged Russians 'not to participate in the aggression' and called on citizens to speak out against the invasion because 'only massive popular condemnation can stop the war'.

Among the letter's signatories were Moscow deputies Elena Rusakova, Maxim Gongalsky, Andrey Morev, Elena Kotenochkina and Elena Filina as well as St Petersburg officials David Kuvaev and Polina Sizova and Veliky Novgorod deputy Anna Cherepanova.

It was a surprising step for Russian officials to speak out against Putin, who usually holds an iron grip on dissent and last week televised a meeting with Moscow's top security chiefs in which they appeared to be railroaded into backing his plans to invade Ukraine.

The letter, which described the signatories as those 'elected by the people', said they 'unreservedly condemn the attack of the Russian army on Ukraine'.

'This is an unprecedented atrocity for which there is no and cannot be justification. The decision to attack was made personally by Russian President Vladimir Putin. We are convinced that the citizens of Russia did not give him such a mandate.'

The letter warned of 'catastrophic consequences' - 'Thousands of people will die, be injured and maimed, cities dear to many Russians will be destroyed.'

It said Russia would face 'the condemnation of the world community' resulting in 'isolation, rising prices and poverty'.

'Hopes for a good life in Russia are crumbling before our eyes,' the letter added.

'We urge you not to participate in the aggression and not to approve of it. Please don't be silent: only massive popular condemnation can stop the war.'

It comes after heartbreaking images emerged from Ukraine showing bloodied civilians staggering through the streets of towns in the east of the country following Russian shelling in the early hours of today.

Other civilians were also injured and some others are believed to have died, though numbers of those hurt were not yet confirmed.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it was not targeting cities, but using precision weapons and claimed that 'there is no threat to civilian population.'

Yet Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv and Chernihiv in the east of Ukraine all reported coming under attack, with blasts also reported in the west - in Zhytomyr and Lviv, close to the border with Poland.

Meanwhile pro-Russian rebel forces pushed out from the occupied Donbass region, capturing two villages and appalling video from Uman, Cherkassy region, central Ukraine, showed the moment a shell hit a cyclists riding by.

Mightymanna:
denying ones faith to asslick a Jew.
Tufiakwa

Mightymanna:

Israel will never be a Christian country, mumu man
The Jews I know hates Christianity with passion a Jew can't even enter a church no matter what to avoid Idolatry, but Nigerians are brainwahsed, it is right for Israel to occupy part of Syria and Palestine but not okay for Russia

ruggedtimi:
Russia has about 6800 nuclear warhead.

Hanibbal:
Israel that keeps stealing Palestinian lands sef dey talk.

Righteousness2 oya gog and magog don start your country of birth Israel has spoken to the magog.

Kingpin1000:
Why put Nuclear power Israel?
How many Nuclear warheads do they have?
Putin say if you price you must collect, Israel can only condemn like the others.
Remember Revelations revealed Israel will be hit one last time before the Messiah returns.
By monday majority of Ukraine would be capture and no one can do anything about it except the Ukrainians.

Kingpin1000:
Why put Nuclear power Israel?
How many Nuclear warheads do they have?
Putin say if you price you must collect, Israel can only condemn like the others.
Remember Revelations revealed Israel will be hit one last time before the Messiah returns.

Israel condemned Russia for attacking Ukraine on Thursday morning, hours after the invasion began.

“The Russian attack on Ukraine is a serious violation of the international order,” Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said. “Israel condemns the attack, and is ready and prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Ukraine.”

The unequivocal message came a day after Jerusalem released a message supporting Ukraine’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty” without mentioning Russia.

Lapid added that “Israel is a country that has experienced wars, and war is not the way to resolve conflicts. The first hours and days of any war are also the last time you can still stop and return to the negotiating table, mediated by world powers, to settle disputes peacefully.”

The foreign minister mentioned Israel’s “deep, long-lasting and good relations with Russia and Ukraine,” as well as the thousands of Israelis and hundreds of thousands of Jews in both countries, whose safety is at the top of his considerations.

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-698477

Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and other Allies agreed to hold consultations under NATO's Article 4 on Thursday morning. It comes after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine earlier this morning.

Prime Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins of Latvia called for a consultation among NATO member nations based on Article 4, according to a Twitter post from his official account.

In conjunction, Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas said: "The most effective response to Russia's aggression is unity."

She added: "The government has prepared for this crisis, we are monitoring the situation all the time and ensuring people's safety," she said in a statement.

"Russia's widespread aggression is a threat to the entire world and to all NATO countries, and NATO consultations on strengthening the security of the Allies must be initiated to implement additional measures for ensuring the defense of NATO Allies."

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1571086/latvia-article-4-nato-russia-ukraine-evg

What is Article 4?

Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty stipulates: "The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened."

In this case, it essentially means that when a member is threatened by military action that could harm its territorial claims, the other members are required to consult one another.

Other NATO countries have agreed to the call made by Estonia and other eastern European nations.

However, Ukraine is not a member of NATO - but has been is favour of joining the security alliance for a number of years.

As soon as the article is invoked, the issue is discussed and can potentially lead to some form of joint decision or action on behalf of the alliance.

Fellow members sitting around the Council table are encouraged to react to a situation brought to their attention by a member country.

Since the creation of NATO in 1949, Article 4 has been invoked six times.

• Boris Johnson will use virtual summit of G7 leaders to push for tougher sanctions
• Liz Truss said officials had drawn up 'long list' of Russian oligarchs facing action
• She said Britain would act with Western allies to inflict 'maximum pain' on Putin
• The Government faced criticism for placing sanctions on just three oligarchs

Boris Johnson will urge Western leaders to step up sanctions against Russia – as ministers warned that Vladimir Putin will face 'maximum pain' if he presses ahead with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister will use a virtual summit of G7 leaders, including Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to make the case for tougher international measures against the Russian president and his cronies.

Liz Truss said British officials had drawn up a 'long list' of Russian oligarchs and companies that will face sanctions if the Kremlin orders its troops to invade Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary said Britain would act with Western allies to inflict 'maximum pain' on Putin's regime.

Ministers are understood to be drawing up plans to hit Russian energy, defence and chemicals firms; to stop the Kremlin borrowing on the UK financial markets, and to block Russia from the Swift payment system, which accounts for about half of all high-value international payments.

The Government faced criticism this week after placing sanctions on just three oligarchs and five banks after Putin's decision to send in troops to support separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Mr Johnson insisted there was 'more to come', with measures that will 'hit Putin where it hurts'.

It came as Eurocrats agreed to the toughest sanctions in the bloc's history by striking at the heart of Putin's inner circle.

Ambassadors agreed to travel bans and asset freezes for more than 500 people accused of being linked to the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.

They include high-profile officials such as defence minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin's chief of staff Anton Vaino, and fiery foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova.

And the White House said Mr Biden had allowed sanctions to move forward against the company that built the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and against the company's chief executive.

Germany said on Tuesday it was indefinitely suspending the project, after Mr Biden said Putin had launched 'the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine'.

The pipeline is complete but has not yet begun operating.

British MPs have called for action against 35 oligarchs identified by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny as 'key enablers' of the 'kleptocracy' run by Putin.

Only one of the 35 – oil baron Gennady Timchenko – has so far been sanctioned by the UK.

Others on the list, which was read out to Parliament by Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, include Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich and former Arsenal FC investor Alisher Usmanov.

Miss Truss declined to say whether Mr Abramovich could be the target of sanctions, but suggested that many more oligarchs would be targeted.

'We have a long list of those complicit in the actions of the Russian leadership,' she said.

'Should Russia refuse to pull back its troops, we can keep turning up the heat, targeting more banks, elites and companies of significance.

'This is about inflicting pain on Putin and degrading the Russian economic system over time, targeting people that are close to Putin. What we have to do is make it as painful as possible.'

Mr Johnson held talks with senior City figures about ways to tighten the screws on Russian businesses and individuals with links to the Kremlin.

The PM told the Commons that the Government was 'bringing forward' the next wave of sanctions which would 'stop all Russian banks, all oligarchs, all Russian individuals raising money on London markets'.

Ministers are also drawing up plans to stop the Kremlin borrowing on the UK financial markets.

Tory MP Bob Seely said the 'tide of dirty money' entering the UK from Russia was 'damaging' the country.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was time to end the 'era of oligarch impunity' and ensure 'this country will no longer be homes for their loot'.

Mr Johnson acknowledged the impatience of many to move faster, but said it was vital that it was done on a co-ordinated international basis.

'On all these measures it is very important to remember that they are more effective when all financial centres move forward together, and that is what the UK has been organising,' he said.

SUPERPACK:
Wars are not won by weapons alone but by shared determination and will power of parties involved. America with all their weapons still left Afghanistan after 20 years same way as it was when they invaded it, with same taliban now having more weapons left for them than ever. Mind you Uk practices total democracy so if 10000 russian soldiers die and only 1000 UK soldiers die, Russia will still be the winners, while UK will battle with mass protest and riots from their citizens for lost lives.

Russia is willing to lose all to win but UK can't afford such loses to their citizens, na lawsuits go finish them.

OnionBandit:
Mkpurumiri guzzling cannibals will never learn...

The day the northerners make up their minds to retaliate is the day the cannibals will understand the difference between mkpurumiri and ice block.

FERNANDEZISBACK:

Cos they fought hard, often and in many battles. They sent huge numbers into battle, more than anyone else..

You know why I said they wouldn't surrender easily..If the war is taking place in Russia, there is no way the opposition might win. The Russians are one of the most patriotic defenders in the world. When an invading force is fighting a stubborn enemy, the time is on the defender’s side. The latter only has to drag out the war long and hard for the invader to question why they are dying on foreign soil while the defender doesn’t have to go anywhere or justify to their people! I don’t care if people say Russia’s population is roughly only half of USSR. If a war breaks out today, Russia would be willing to sacrifice 27 million people like what USSR did if that is what it takes to drive back an invader! What’s America’s tolerance for causality before quitting? 50K in Vietnam!
So you get the maths?

NimrodEndOfDays:
i am supporting Russia. please we need you to send one nuclear missile into England

FERNANDEZISBACK:

I don't think Russia will surrender so easily..they are bunch of rugged fighters..

FERNANDEZISBACK:
A non nuclear war?
The UK cannot invade Russia on its own. It is doubtful that they could do it with the aid of all of NATO: Russia still has the advantages of defense in depth that geography gives it.

Russia can try to invade the UK but the odds are that it would have a lot of ships sunk and aircraft shot down trying. They don’t have a staging post to launch the invasion closer than their home territory and distance makes launching an invasion harder. That’s the UK’s equivalent of defence in depth.

Both nations can do a lot of damage to each other’s homelands with non-nuclear weapons. The UK would take more damage from fuel air explosives launched at our cities… But Russia has less wealth and less capacity to recover from serious damage to its major cities.

It would end in a stupid draw just like the War of 1812..if it's a nuclear war then both country will go down in drain...it's unimaginable seriously..

Ben Wallace today said the UK had 'kicked the backside' of former Russian leaders and 'can always do it again' as he took direct aim at Vladimir Putin.

The Defence Secretary, who is a former soldier who served as an officer in the Scots Guards in the 1990s, also claimed the Russian President has gone 'full tonto' as tensions continue to rise amid the worsening Ukraine crisis.

Mr Wallace dramatically stepped up the UK Government's verbal attacks against Mr Putin as he chatted with Commonwealth soldiers during a visit to the Horse Guards building in Westminster this morning.

Mr Wallace said Mr Putin had made the mistake of having no allies to support his actions in Ukraine as he compared the Russian premier to Tsar Nicholas I during the Crimean War - which took place more than 170 years ago and included the Charge of the Light Brigade, one of the most notorious disasters in British military history.

The comments came as Ukraine said it will introduce a nationwide state of emergency and Boris Johnson announced the UK will send more defensive weapons to the nation in a bid to deter a full-scale invasion by Mr Putin.

The Cabinet minister, a former Scots Guards officer, said his regiment had 'kicked the backside' of the tsar in the Crimea and 'we can always do it again'.

He said: 'It's going to be a busy Army. Unfortunately we've got a busy adversary now in Putin, who has gone full tonto.'

Mr Wallace said the UK has 1,000 personnel on stand-by to respond to the crisis, adding: 'The Scots Guards kicked the backside of Tsar Nicholas I in 1853 in Crimea – we can always do it again.'

He continued: 'Tsar Nicholas I made the same mistake Putin did… he had no friends, no alliances.'

Mr Wallace made the comments as he visited Horse Guards alongside Home Secretary Priti Patel to announce the Government is scrapping visa fees for long-serving overseas military personnel.

Ms Patel sat stony-faced as the Defence Secretary made the remarks about Mr Putin and the Crimean War while the soldiers sat opposite Mr Wallace appeared to laugh nervously.

The change on visas will mean overseas personnel serving in the British armed forces will be able to apply to stay in the UK without paying a £2,389 application fee.

The visa fee will be scrapped for personnel who have completed six years in the forces or been discharged due to an illness or injury sustained during their service. The waiver will also apply to eligible veterans.

The new policy will come into effect in the spring and could help some of the 9,000 non-UK citizens currently serving in the armed forces if they want to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK after their service ends.

It came as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK will make it 'as painful as possible' for Russia if Mr Putin unleashes an all-out attack on Ukraine.

Ms Truss said the Russian leader appears to be 'hell-bent' on invading his neighbour, including potentially an assault on the capital, Kiev.

She said the Government has further measures 'in the locker' which it could activate, after an initial tranche of sanctions announced yesterday was widely criticised as being too weak.

The situation in Ukraine escalated on Monday this week when Mr Putin announced Russia would formally recognise the breakaway 'republics' of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

That move was seen by many in the West as a precursor to a full-scale Russian invasion.

Ms Truss said this morning that it is still unclear whether Russian troops have crossed into the territories, after Mr Putin said he was authorising his forces to move in as 'peacekeepers'.

Mr Johnson announced at lunchtime that Britain will be sending more defensive weapons to Ukraine in response to the looming threat of a full-scale invasion.

The UK has already sent anti-tank weapons to the Ukrainian military to help counter the threat posed by Russian forces ringed around the country's borders.

he Prime Minister said: 'In light of the increasingly threatening behaviour from Russia, and in line with our previous support, the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine.

'This will include lethal aid in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid.'

Russia is currently estimated to have 150,000 troops massed on the borders around Ukraine, with warplanes and armoured vehicles continuing to deploy in the area.

Mr Putin has said the only way to resolve the crisis is for the government in Kiev to give up its ambitions to join Nato and to accept the 'demilitarisation' of the country.

Ukraine today said it is declaring a state of emergency as it urged its citizens living in Russia to leave the country.

Kiev is now calling up military reservists as it prepares to face down the full might of a potential Russian invasion.

The state of emergency move grants President Volodymyr Zelensky extra powers such as the ability to declare snap curfews and marks - for the first time - a direct acknowledgement from Kiev that Russia could now attack at any time in virtually any part of Ukraine, and not just rebel-held areas.
All military reservists aged 18 to 60 - more than 200,000 people - have been called up while Ukraine's border guard service has restricted movement around border zones, prohibited video recordings of its forces and banned the use of drones. Three million Ukrainians living in Russian have been ordered to leave.

Ukrainian citizens have also been given the power to bear arms - effectively activating civilian brigades who have been training with the national guard in recent weeks.

If an invasion does take place then martial law will be imposed, the head of Ukraine's security council said. The state of emergency will last for 30 days, but could be extended.

Mr Putin delivered a sabre-rattling address to his troops this morning to mark Defender of the Fatherland Day, praising their 'battle readiness' while saying he is assured that they will fight to defend Russian security interests - which he called 'non-negotiable'.

Russia also began evacuating staff from its Kiev embassy, with the flag reportedly lowered over the building.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10542729/Ben-Wallace-claims-Putin-gone-tonto-Ukraine-crisis.html

UEFA are reportedly considering stripping Russia of hosting this season's Champions League final amid the threat of war between Russia and Ukraine.

UK health secretary Sajid Javid said on Tuesday morning that Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine after Russian tanks, armoured vehicles and trucks were seen rolling into eastern regions overnight.

After initially insisting there were 'no plans' to move this season's Champions League final from St Petersburg, UEFA are now discussing alternatives, according to The Times.

The report claims that the football governing body are in talks over changing the venue for the showpiece. UEFA could wait to find out who the finalists are to find a location that suits both a possibility.

That would mean the change would come after May 4, the date of the last semi-final, with the showpiece event slated for May 28 at the Krestovsky Stadium in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

Putin ordered his troops to carry out 'peacekeeping' duties in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions after he recognised them as independent on Monday, another act that prompted tensions to escalate.

Western states, including the UK, USA and United Nations, are now lining up to slap sanctions on key Russian figures and businesses but there is no sign that Putin is willing to back down.

UEFA did originally insist they were not considering taking the honour of hosting their most prestigious match away from Russia.

A statement early on Tuesday read: 'UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation. At present, there are no plans to change the venue.'

But pressure has since ramped up and steps have begun to alter the location. As Sportsmail reported on Monday night, UEFA could be left with no choice but to move the game.

Wembley was seen as a possible replacement venue, especially if two English teams make it all the way to the final this year, according to reports.

However England's national stadium is currently hosting the League Two play-off final on May 28 and the Championship play-off final on May 29.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10537977/UEFA-insist-no-plans-strip-Russia-Champions-League-final.html

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