Baltic nations close their borders

(ERR | AP | Reuters | ABCNews)

“Russia is an unpredictable and aggressive state. Three-quarters of its citizens support the war. It is unacceptable that people who support the war can freely travel around the world, into Lithuania, the EU,” Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said Monday.”

https://news.err.ee/1608720652/narva-border-crossing-remains-calm-ahead-of-russian-tourist-visa-ban

—

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-travel-poland-2e3d1f1ff14694f5e3dc45838a96015e

—

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/baltic-states-poland-close-doors-russian-tourists-2022-09-19/

—

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/baltic-states-close-borders-russians-ukraine-war-90141954

“Baltics say no automatic asylum for Russians fleeing draft.” - AP

“Little sign of any pressure at the borders of the Baltic countries after those countries closed their borders to most Russians.” - AP

“10 Russians denied entry to Estonia on 1st day of Schengen visa ban.” - ERR

“Estonian minister against granting asylum to men fleeing mobilization in Russia.” - Baltic Times

Finland will also significantly restrict right of entry, tourist visas for Russians

(Yle)

“Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto (Green) said that a draft of the decision in principle already exists and is currently undergoing technical and legal preparation. This process will take a few days, he noted. Haavisto added that the new policy will be very strict, and will see Russian citizens prevented from entering Finland on a tourist visa alone. This restriction will apply to all visas issued by Finland and other Schengen area countries.”

https://yle.fi/news/3-12637102

“Sanna Marin: We have to put an end to Russian travel and tourism.” - Yle

“Soome välisminister: me ei taha olla teiste riikide väljastatud Schengeni viisade transiitriik.” - Postimees

Alar Karis at the UN General Assembly

(Baltic Times | Republic World | UN)

“Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has abused its veto power to block the Council from adopting any decisions regarding the grave violation of sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. How many devastating wars will it take to move forward with the long overdue Security Council reform?”

—

"The United Nations Security Council, has been paralyzed and utterly unable to play its role.”

"It is shameful that since February 24 it has adopted only one statement on Ukraine." Karis says Estonia has long advocated to curb the veto power, and again questioned how the world body can grant Russia, aggressor, veto power in the Security Council."

https://www.baltictimes.com/president_karis_at_un_general_assembly__how_many_wars_will_it_take_to_move_forward_the_long_overdue_un_security_council_reform_/

—

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-crisis/estonia-blasts-unsc-calls-efforts-to-stop-russias-war-in-ukraine-as-shameful-articleshow.html

—

https://gadebate.un.org/en/77/estonia

“Finnish President Niinistö comments at the United Nations General Assembly.”  - Yle

“Latvian President Levits comments at the United Nations General Assembly.” - Latvian Broadcasting

“Lithuanian President Nauseda comments at the United Nations General Assembly.” - Delfi

"Poland President Duda comments at the United Nations General Assembly.” - UN

__________

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment 22. September 2022

(ISW)

“The Kremlin’s heavy-handed approach to partial mobilization may successfully meet the Kremlin’s internal quota of mobilized personnel but is unlikely to generate effective soldiers and is prompting significant domestic backlash for little gain. Russian authorities are forcibly recruiting Russian citizens to fight in Ukraine on flimsy pretexts, violating the Kremlin’s promise to recruit only those with military experience. Russian authorities are also demonstrably mobilizing personnel (such as protesters) who will enter the war in Ukraine with abysmal morale. The Kremlin's heavy-handed approach to partial mobilization will likely exacerbate domestic resentment of a measure that would have been unpopular even if implemented without the harshness observed in the last 24 hours.”

https://www.iswresearch.org/2022/09/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment_22.html

“Interior minister: Russian people residing in Estonia not target group of mobilization.” - Baltic Times

“Russians in Latvia told to contact security services if they get a draft notice.” - Latvian Broadcasting

“Russians in Lithuania react to mobilisation announcement: ‘This brings Putin’s end closer’.” - LRT

“Putin’s War in Ukraine Will Now Touch Every Russian Family.” - Paul Goble

“Putini mobilisatsioonimääruse varjatud artikkel lubab Venemaal värvata miljon inimest.” - Postimees

An Army of Zombies Is Leading Us to Hell

By Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic

“After President Vladimir Putin announced this week that Russia was conscripting some 300,000 reservists and military veterans to reinforce its war effort in Ukraine, international flights out of Russian cities quickly sold out. This latest wave of Russia’s exodus included Anton Shalaev, a 38-year-old senior manager at an IT company, and 15 colleagues.”

—

“On less than a day’s notice, these men of military age all left their relatively comfortable lives in downtown Moscow to fly to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Because of Putin’s war, Shalaev tossed a book, an iPad, and a laptop in a backpack and got out of Dodge. …”

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/09/russia-exile-putin-military-draft/671541/

“Pihkvamaal saadeti mehi armeesse.” - Lõuna Eesti Postimees

“Russians React To Partial Mobilization Ordered By President.” - RFERL

“Russia: Panic, protests follow Putin's call for 'partial mobilization’.” - DW

“Russian Mobilization May Slow, Not Stop, Ukrainian Offensive.” - RFERL

__________

Friday 23. September

Kallas: Eesti on kaitstud ja jääb kaitstuks

(ERR)

“Venemaal välja kuulutatud mobilisatsioon ei ole ohupilti meie jaoks muutunud. Eesti on kaitstud ja jääb kaitstuks. Me kõik saame oma igapäevaste toimetustega rahulikult edasi minna teades, et Eestit kaitsevad meie oma kaitsejõud ning liitlased NATO-s ja Euroopa Liidus.”

https://www.err.ee/1608725539/kaja-kallas-eesti-on-kaitstud-ja-jaab-kaitstuks

“Kallas: Estonia is and will remain protected.” - ERR

The Baltics Hunker Down for the Long Game Against Russia

(Foreign Policy)

“… But the Baltic states still see a long-term threat from Russia, regardless of how the war in Ukraine goes. “There’s no imminent sense of crisis, but there is a sense of danger,” said Janis Kazocins, Latvia’s current national security advisor and former intelligence agency director. “Russia will remain a long-term threat, even with its military being cut apart in Ukraine. We will have Russia as a neighbor forever.”

—

“If you’re a small Baltic country, you can never let down your guard just because Russia is not performing well today in Ukraine,” said Jim Townsend, a former senior U.S. Defense Department official who worked on NATO security issues. “We don’t know where Russia will be in 10 years. So the point is now to never let your guard down.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/09/22/russia-war-baltic-states-latvia-riga-ukraine-military-long-game/

Kallas tells Estonia to prepare for possible blackouts

(Estonian World Review | Reuters)

“… blackouts are possible if Russia decides to disconnect Baltic states from the joint power grid. At the same time, Estonia announced a snap defence readiness exercise. "We must also be prepared for Russia might disconnect Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania from their electricity grid", Kallas said in a televised address on Thursday evening.”

https://www.eesti.ca/kallas-tells-estonia-to-prepare-for-blackouts/article59590

—

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/estonian-pm-tells-nation-prepare-blackouts-if-russia-switches-off-power-grid-2022-09-23/

“Peaministri sõnum elektrikatkestuse kohta pani inimesed tegutsema.” - ERR

 “Kas me peame kartma Putini elektrirelva?” - Postimees

Power to Estonia’s grid can be switched over to the EU in an emergency - reportedly within 6 to 12 hours

(ERR)

“Should Russia decided to disconnect the Baltic States from its electricity grid, all three countries could synchronize with the continental European system, a situation which will be in place in 2025 in any case, within six-to-twelve hours at the most, Taavi Veskimägi, head of the Estonian grid distributor Elering, said.”

—

“Speaking at a press conference, Veskmägi said: "Currently, we have achieved initial readiness to the extent that within 6-12 hours, we will be able to synchronize ourselves with the continental European network through the Lithuanian-Polish connection."

https://news.err.ee/1608726511/estonia-grid-connected-to-europe-in-12-hours-in-event-of-russia-blackout

“Professor: Eesti ei pruugi Vene elektrivõrgust lahti ühendamist märgatagi.” - Novaator

“Balti riigid suudaks Venemaa elektrikatkestuse korral kuni 12 tunniga ühenduda Euroopa võrguga.” - ERR

“Venemaa teatas elektrisüsteemi eralduskatse ärajätmisest.” - ERR

Russian students in Narva: returning home is tantamount to suicide

(Postimees)

“The board of the Riigikogu accepted a collective appeal asking for help to students who are Russian citizens and wish to stay in Estonia.”

https://news.postimees.ee/7609610/russian-students-in-narva-returning-home-is-tantamount-to-suicide

Finland Gets Russia: So Listen

By Chels Michta, CEPA

“Ever since Sweden and Finland declared their intent to join NATO, the two have been treated as a package … The impact of these decisions cannot be overstated. They have already remapped the region, linking Norway to the Baltic States, and reframing the debate over whether Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia can be defended in an all-out conflict. The question is no longer “whether”, but “how." ... Once they are full members of the alliance, Sweden, and especially Finland, will transform NATO, offering modern military capabilities from day one. This is not lost on NATO …”

https://cepa.org/finland-gets-russia-so-listen/

Zelenskõi kutsus venelasi üles mobilisatsioonile vastu seisma

(Postimees)

“Selle kuue sõjakuu jooksul suri 55,000 Venemaa sõdurit,» ütles Zelenskõi oma igapäevases pöördumises. Tahate rohkem? Ei? Siis protesteerige. Võidelge. Hakake vastu. Jookske minema. Või alistuge Ukraina armeele,” rääkis riigipea.

--

“Te olete juba kaasosalised kõikides nendes kuritegudes, mõrvades ja ukrainlaste piinamises. Sest te vaikisite. Sest te vaikite,” lisas Zelenskõi.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7611508/zelenskoi-kutsus-venelasi-ules-mobilisatsioonile-vastu-seisma

Thursday 22. September

Kaitsejõud plaanivad Võrumaal asuvat harjutusväljakut ulatuslikult laiendada

Ülle Harju, Meinhard Pulk, Postimees

“Harjutusalade nappuses kaitseministeerium kompab pinnast Võrumaal asuva Nursipalu polügooni mastaapsemaks laiendamiseks. Kaitseväelaste ja Kaitseliidu kasutuses on väljaõppe tarbeks praegu seitse harjutusvälja. Neist suurim, kaitseväe keskpolügoon katab Kuusalu vallas ligi 12 000 hektarit.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7598244/kaitsejoud-plaanivad-vorumaal-asuvat-harjutusvaljakut-ulatuslikult-laiendada

State is planning a Tapa-scale NATO base for southeastern Estonia

(ERR)

“Magnus-Valdemar Saar, National Defense Investment Center (RKIK) director, told ERR the location is undecided, though in order to achieve economies of scale, is likely to be in one of several locations already used for defense purposes in the vicinity of Võru, in the southeast of the country.”

—

“The Taara military barracks in Võru, home to the elite Kuperjanov infantry battalion, cannot be expanded to receive new units, as capacity is already almost used up, he added, and a lack of space in general is one of the main challenges for both the EDF and for taking on larger numbers of allied personnel, stepped-up this year in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine starting in late February, and crystallized at the NATO Madrid Summit at the end of June.”

https://news.err.ee/1608719095/state-planning-tapa-scale-nato-base-for-southeastern-estonia

“Estonia is planning new military training areas and infrastructure.” - Defense One

“NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP).” - NATO

“NATO Chiefs of Defence discuss operationalisation of Madrid Summit decisions.” - NATO press release

“Sweden may contribute to the defense of Estonia once it is a full NATO member.” - ERR

Okas: Estonia mobilises over 2,800 reservists for a snap defence exercise

(Estonian World)

“The 2,861 reservists of the 11 Infantry Battalion, the 16 Air Defence Battalion, and the 42 Northeastern Territorial Defence District will be called. … “The purpose of the readiness exercise is to practice the functioning of the reserve army. There is no direct security threat to Estonia.”

https://estonianworld.com/security/estonia-mobilises-over-2800-reservists-for-a-snap-defence-exercise/

“OKAS/QUILL  tests the national chain of command, from the Estonian Government decision down …” - ERR

Valitsus kutsub reservväelased lisaõppekogunemisele ‘Okas 2022’

(Postimees | ERR)

“Valitsus otsustas täna kutsuda 2861 reservväelast ja kaitseliitlast lisaõppekogunemisele «Okas 2022». Kaitseväe juhataja ettepanekul kutsutakse lisaõppekogunemisele 11. jalaväepataljoni ja 16. õhutõrjepataljoni reservväelased ning 42. Kirde maakaitseringkonna koosseisu arvatud kaitseliitlased ja reservväelased.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7611239/valitsus-kutsub-reservvaelased-lisaoppekogunemisele-okas-2022

—

https://www.err.ee/1608724807/neljapaeval-alanud-oppusele-okas-kutsutakse-2861-reservvaelast

“Kaitsevägi ootab järgmise aasta õppekogunemistele 25 700 osalejat.” - ERR

Estonian Embassy in Washington moving back to its historic building

(Estonian Embassy in Washington)

“… after nearly two years of remodeling work.”

https://www.facebook.com/groups/estoniansinboston/permalink/10159996073604648/

The Kremlin Must Be in Crisis

By Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic

“In part, the crisis stems from Putin’s fears that he will lose whatever counts as his international support. No ideology holds together the global autocrats’ club, and no sentiment does either. As long as they believed Russia really had the second largest army in the world, as long as Putin seemed destined to stay in power indefinitely, then the leaders of China, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, along with the strongmen running India and Turkey, were happy to tolerate his company.”

—

“But Putin’s supposedly inevitable military victory is in jeopardy. His army looks weak. Western sanctions make problems not just for him but his trading partners, and their tolerance is receding. … But while losing support abroad is bad, losing support at home is worse, and there are some signs of that too. …”

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/09/putin-speech-delay-ukraine-world-leaders/671495/

“Coups in the Kremlin: What the History of Russia’s Power Struggles Says About Putin’s Future.”  Foreign Affairs

“Venelannad võtavad kasutusele drastilised meetodid, et oma mehi sõttaminekust päästa.” - Postimees

“Opinion: Vladimir Putin has to escalate the situation in Ukraine in order to survive.” - Deutsche Welle

“Putini mobiliseerimiskäsk jätab tegelikult selle ulatuse teadmata.” - Postimees

Wednesday 21. September

St Petersburg missiles close to Estonian border were moved to Ukraine

(Yle)

“Russia has been moving a large number of anti-aircraft missiles toward Ukraine, including from as far away as St. Petersburg, one of the most crucial areas for Russian air defence. Satellite images reveal that both mobile firing platforms and missiles disappeared during the summer from a base in the Zelenogorsk area on the Karelian Isthmus, northwest of St Petersburg, among others.

—

“Based on (satellite) pictures, four anti-aircraft bases have been emptied of equipment," military expert Maj. (Ret.) Marko Eklund told Yle. …”

https://yle.fi/news/3-12626182

Venemaa viis osa Peterburi kaitseks mõeldud õhutõrjerakettidest Ukrainasse

(ERR)

“Yle teatel ümbritseb Peterburi 14 õhukaitserakettidega varustatud sõjaväebaasi, kuid nüüdseks mitu neist tühjendatud.”

https://www.err.ee/1608719647/venemaa-viis-osa-peterburi-kaitseks-moeldud-ohutorjerakettidest-ukrainasse

Russia's partial mobilization does not pose direct military threat to Estonia

(ERR)

“Estonia is preparing its own package of measures in response to Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial mobilization in Russia”

https://news.err.ee/1608723217/estonian-deputy-defense-chief-responds-to-russia-s-partial-mobilization

“Latvian Defense Ministry: military threat in Latvia remains low.” - Latvian Broadcasting

“Lithuania has decided to raise the alert level of its rapid response force.” - Delfi

“Finnish president: Russia's plans reflect poorly-run military ops.” - Yle

German, Estonian troops will practice defense of Tallinn harbor, airport

(Estonian World Review | Defense News)

“… next month, a scenario in line with NATO’s new concept of strengthened forward defense, according to officials from both countries.”

—

“The drill, dubbed “Baltic Tiger,” will see German Air Force troops of the “Friesland” regiment exercising with Estonian forces at Ämari air base, located some 25 miles southeast from Tallinn, a Luftwaffe spokesman said. According to its website, the formation specializes in defending airfields under combat conditions.”

https://www.eesti.ca/german-estonian-troops-to-practice-defense-of-tallinn-harbor-airport/article59577

—

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/09/16/german-estonian-troops-to-practice-defense-of-tallinn-harbor-airport/

“Prince Edward begins three-day visit to Estonia and Germany.” - Royal Central

“Friesland: Germany’s ‘Force Protection Regiment’.” - Bundeswehr

Vene sõjavastane rühmitus kutsub tänavatele mässama: meie isad, vennad ja abikaasad lähevad kahurilihaks

(Postimees)

“Venemaa sõjavastane liikumine Vesna õhutab inimesi protesteerima riigis kehtestatud osalise mobilisatsiooni vastu ning mitmes asulas on kodanikud juba tänavatel demonsteerimas. “Mille eest nad surevad? Mille pärast emad ja lapsed pisaraid valavad? Putini palee jaoks?» seisis Vesna tänases teadaandes.”

https://maailm.postimees.ee/7610382/vene-sojavastane-ruhmitus-kutsub-tanavatele-massama-meie-isad-vennad-ja-abikaasad-lahevad-kahurilihaks

Eesti ei tunnusta eales Donetski ja Luhanski «vabariikide» ebaseaduslikke referendumeid

(Postimees)

“… kinnitas välisminister Urmas Reinsalu. Reinsalu hinnangul mahitab Venemaa terrorit, mistõttu tuleb nii pea kui võimalik kehtestata uus sanktsioonidepakett.”

—

“Tänane päev tõi ootuspärase, ent taas nördimust tekitanud uudise Donetski, Luhanski ja Zaporižžja regioonist, kus Venemaa toetatud separatistid kuulutasid välja «referendumi», millega proovitakse legitimeerida liitumist Venemaaga.” 

https://www.postimees.ee/7609655/valisminister-urmas-reinsalu-eesti-ei-tunnusta-eales-donetski-ja-luhanski-vabariikide-ebaseaduslikke-referendumeid

NATO sõjalise komitee esimees: allianss peab tugevdama oma maavägesid

(ERR)

[Video interview is in English.]

https://www.err.ee/1608721153/nato-sojalise-komitee-esimees-allianss-peab-tugevdama-oma-maavagesid

Ministeeriumi hinnangul võib sõjapõgenike arv lähikuudel märgatavalt kasvada

(ERR)

“Positiivsetest rindeteadetest hoolimata tuleb talv Ukrainas väga karm, sest paljud on olnud sunnitud kodu maha jätma või pole kodudes võimalik talve üle elada. Hinnanguliselt on praegu Ukrainas 6,5 miljonit sisepõgenikku.”

https://www.err.ee/1608722362/ministeeriumi-hinnangul-voib-sojapogenike-arv-lahikuudel-margatavalt-kasvada

The high-speed railway that’s uncoupling the Baltic states from Russia and their Soviet past

(Euronews)

“While the project doesn’t come cheap at an estimated cost of €5.8 billion, the project’s cost-benefit analysis predicts the project would bring in up to €16.2 billion in quantifiable benefits. The project’s cost for the Baltic countries is alleviated due to the EU funding up to 85 per cent of the project through its Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) instrument. So far, the EU CEF fund has contributed €824 million to the new line.”

https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/09/18/the-high-speed-railway-thats-uncoupling-the-baltic-states-from-russia-and-their-soviet-pas

Poland opened a navigable canal through the Vistula Spit to avoid Russia’s waters

(Political Lore | TVP World | Euractiv)

“Starting to build the canal, the Polish authorities paid special attention to the fact that thanks to it, it would be possible to enter the Vistula (Kaliningrad) Lagoon, bypassing Russian territorial waters. Polish ships will have free access to all ports of the Vistula (Baltic) Lagoon and to the seaport of Elbląg. Until now, ships had to enter the Vistula Lagoon and the port of Elblag through the territorial waters of Russia, notifying the Russian authorities in advance. At the same time, Russia had the right to prohibit the passage of ships through its maritime territory.”

—

“The date of the opening of the canal was symbolic, as it was set on September 17, the same day as the USSR attacked Poland in 1939, as part of the implementation of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.”

https://www.politicallore.com/poland-opened-a-navigable-canal-through-the-baltic-spit/31844

—

https://tvpworld.com/62840979/for-poland-vistula-spit-canal-means-freedom-from-russia-german-media

—

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/russian-ship-enters-new-waterway-day-after-vistula-spit-canal-opening/

Ukraine’s Oligarchs Are a Dying Breed

(Carnegie Politika)

“It was not so long ago that the oligarchs and their relationship with the central government were a key element in Ukrainian politics. Their enormous capital that grew out of the corrupt privatization of Soviet industry on the eve of the 2000s influenced the most diverse aspects of the country’s political life, from the agenda set by the media to the makeup of parliament. That has all changed, however, with the outbreak of war. With every passing day, the influence of Ukraine’s oligarchs is fading, and their capital alongside it. Without them, Ukraine is becoming a different country.”

https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/87914

- Putin’s War -

Putin announces partial mobilisation in escalation of Ukraine war

(The Guardian)

“… that places the country’s people and economy on a wartime footing. The president also threatened nuclear retaliation, saying that Russia had “lots of weapons to reply” to what he called western threats on Russian territory and added that he was not bluffing.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/21/putin-announces-partial-mobilisation-in-russia-in-escalation-of-ukraine-war

“‘I Don’t Want to Be Cannon Fodder’: Panic and Fear as Russia Begins Mobilization.” - The Moscow Times

“Reportedly, flights out of Russia sell out fast after Putin’s mobilisation announcement.” - TVP World

“Russians React To Partial Mobilization Ordered By President.” - RFERL

“What Russia’s Elites Think of Putin Now.” - Foreign Policy

“Russia’s underperforming military capability may be key to its downfall.” - The Guardian

“Russia arrests hundreds at anti-war protests.” - BBC

“Putin’s Partial Ukraine Mobilization Could Mean The End Of Russia.” - 1945

Russia: The reality is that this is a full mobilization - they will grab everyone

(The Insider)

“Vladimir Putin's decree on «partial mobilization» is so vague that everyone will be grabbed and sent to the front, experts say. The document allows anyone to be drafted. In his speech, Putin announced that only those in the reserves will be drafted, but the decree doesn't mention it. Shoigu says that about 300,000 reservists will be drafted and that students won't be affected, but two days before that, United Russia began preparing them for the front, proposing that they be given academic leave for the time of their military service in Ukraine.”

https://theins.ru/en/news/255274

“From Thanking God to Seeing the Abyss: Russians React to Putin’s Mobilization.” - Russia Matters

“‘I’d rather leave than fight’ - Russians react to Putin’s draft.” - The Guardian

“Russia Implodes After Putin Summons 300,000 to Die for Him.” - Daily Beast

“Mobilisation will cause more deaths and could start riots in Russia.” - BNN

“The partial mobilisation is a sign of Russia's losing game and does not signal further concern.” - Yle 

“Venemaa protestib: ei sõjale, elu meie lastele!” - Delfi

Putin is admitting his previous threats were hollow by saying ‘this is not a bluff’

(The Guardian)

“For long-term Russia watchers, the most striking aspect of Putin’s speech was how little his claims about Ukraine and the world had moved on since his last major speech at the launch of his invasion in February. The central myth that the west wants to destroy Russia has now been embellished with the notion that the country has been threatened with western weapons of mass destruction. But otherwise, it was as though the collision with reality Russia’s military has experienced over the past six months had had no impact at all on Putin’s outlook.”

—

“The speech was primarily for a domestic audience, one that is preconditioned to accept, or at least tolerate, the looking-glass version of the world that Putin presents. But it also contained the familiar nudge and wink nuclear half-threats, designed to give western leaders the excuse they may be looking for to slacken support for Ukraine. Even here, though, there was an edge of desperation. “It’s not a bluff,” said Putin – a recognition that all his previous threats against the west, nuclear and non-nuclear, have been shown to be hollow as successive Russian “red lines” have evaporated in the face of western determination.”

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/21/vladimir-putin-previous-threats-ukriane-hollow-bluff?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

“Putin nuclear threat is desperation, says EU commission.” - EU Observer

Russian missiles landed near Ukraine's second-largest nuclear power station

(Deutsche Welle | CBC)

“Russian missiles struck the Pivdennoukrainsk Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine's southern Mykolaiv province overnight, Ukraine's state energy company Energoatom said on Monday. A blast took place 300 meters (1,000 feet) away from the reactors just after midnight, Energoatom said. The company posted photos of a impact crater on social media, including one in which a man stood inside the crater to give a sense of its size.”

—

"Currently, all three power units of the PNPP (Pivdennoukrainsk Nuclear Power Plant) are operating normally," Energoatom said. "Fortunately, there were no casualties among the station staff.” However, the attack did damage power buildings at the power plant complex as well as transmission lines for a nearby hydroelectric plant.”

https://www.dw.com/en/russia-ukraine-updates-russia-strikes-land-near-nuclear-power-plant/a-63167432

—

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-missile-nuclear-plant-1.6587546

“Kiiev: Ukraina armee jätkab okupeeritud alade vabastamist.” - ERR

“Here’s what we know about the state of Russia’s military.” - Vox

“Wagner on värvanud 6,000 kuni 11,000 Vene vangi Ukraina vastu sõdimiseks.” - ERR

“Russia Accused of Abandoning Injured Troops as Putin Heads Toward Total ‘Failure’.” - The Daily Beast

“Failing in the Field, Russia Targets Ukraine’s Civilian Infrastructure.” - The Bulwark

And Finally:

Why Does Putin Fear Peace With Ukraine? He Knows Revolution Is Coming

(1945)

“Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out in a televised speech. He again warned he could use his nuclear arsenal, a very real threat for which responding with boilerplate diplomatic language does not suffice. He announced further mobilizations, presaged annexation of some territory, and said there would be fake referenda in others leading to the same aim. It was bluster meant to cover weakness, but dangerous nonetheless.”

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“Instead of compromise, Putin’s threats require a supply of both defensive and offensive systems not only to Ukraine, but to Japan and pro-Western countries along the entirety of Russia’s frontier. Putin should know that while the Ukraine conflict is now limited to Ukraine, he puts Russian territory not only alongside Ukraine’s frontier at risk, but rather Russia’s entire periphery. There is not a single neighbor of Russia that it has not victimized at some point in history.”

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/09/why-does-putin-fear-peace-with-ukraine-he-knows-revolution-is-coming/

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