#international legion of the Defense of Ukraine | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ben-marco · 7 months ago

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Can I ask your opinion on the tiktok Cyber did in defense of Legion's Gaza derail? I don't have a horse in this race as my abuse was solely at the hands of one person and I've never encountered any traffiking rings in my time as a survival sex worker, so I'm woefully uneducated on how bad or multinational OEA can get. Thanks in advance for reading this even if you don't plan to answer, and again for all you do to source DID information.

Does anyone have a link to Cyber's video? I'm admittedly not the best at using TikTok myself.

For the remainder of this post I'll be addressing Legion's video, found here, unless they delete it of course: https://www.tiktok.com/@legion.sys/video/7376743310095846689

It's no secret that human trafficking can happen during wars or other conflicts. It is happening now with the Russia-Ukraine War (https://rovienna.iom.int/news/human-trafficking-times-conflict-case-ukraine ; https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/ukraine/). However, during times of war it is incredibly difficult to maintain accurate records for things like this, especially when most of the "outside" world is trying to peer into a country like Russia that has been isolating itself over the past decades.

Furthermore, the types of human trafficking happening in Ukraine differ from what Legion alleges is happening in Israel. The two primary types of human trafficking happening in Ukraine are:

Refugees being trafficked to other countries by opportunistic brokers that do not function as an arm of any government (https://www.unhcr.org/news/news-releases/statement-risks-trafficking-and-exploitation-facing-refugees-ukraine-attributed). Most of these refugees are trafficked into other countries in Europe, though some are trafficked into the United Arab Emirates (https://nycfpa.org/08/09/vulnerable-ukrainian-women-and-children-are-at-great-risk-of-being-trafficked-claims-new-report/).

Russia's government trafficking Ukrainian children out of Ukraine and into Russia. I hate to cite Wikipedia, but this is so prevalent that there is a Wikipedia article about it with no shortage of references to other sources as well, including the UN and ICC (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abductions_in_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War ; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64985009).

I'll stop here and make the disclaimer that, as a blogger on the Internet, I am not an expert on international geopolitical relations or military conflicts. But even for the experts, it can be incredibly challenging to verify facts and keep records during times of war.

My main problems with Legion's accusations are as follows:

Legion cites no sources other than "testimonies that have been told to [them]"

Legion alleges that Israel's government is orchestrating "a multinational network of human trafficking rings based in the West Bank...involved with organ trafficking, skin trafficking, and general sex trafficking", calling the organization an "Israeli Zionist human trafficking project"

Legion alleges that this "Israeli Zionist human trafficking project" is a global operation

Legion alleges that "there are people in our community who are direct survivors" of this "project", and

Legion alleges that this "project" directly affects the US and the UK in addition to Gaza.

There is already immense fog of war surrounding what's happening in Gaza, so much so that it has been difficult to even establish casualty numbers. By throwing out this kind of information without a source, Legion is only adding to that fog. I don't expect anything else from someone who rarely cites sources in general, but if the genocide of Palestinians is really this important to you, don't you think you should back up what you're saying? If ANYTHING was important enough to need a source attached, wouldn't it be this? I've heard rumors about the skin bank and organ bank before, but I think it's very different to make those claims than it is to claim that Israel's government is conducting global human trafficking and RAMCOA / OEA.

Furthermore, this alleged global "Israeli Zionist human trafficking project" sounds a lot like antisemitic propaganda that the RAMCOA / OEA community has been hearing for decades from figures like Fritz Springmeier, Svali, and Unwelcome Ozian. How is this any different? What is Legion's motive in saying this?

The reason I mentioned the trafficking in Ukraine due to the Ukraine-Russia War is to also point out that in conflicts like these, it is far more likely and far more common for brokers and individuals to be taking advantage of those who want to flee the country, than it is for that country's government to set up "a multinational network of human trafficking rings". By spouting unfounded and antisemitic conspiracy theories about Israel's government allegedly trafficking people around the world, you are completely ignoring the very real stories of people who think they're escaping Gaza only to end up being sold into human trafficking by a broker.

The other problem is that by hearing something about Gaza and turning it into "well, there are people in the RAMCOA community who are directly affected by this", Legion is decentering the men, women, and children who are being murdered in Gaza right now while you are reading this. And the statement that Israel's "multinational" trafficking ring somehow affects people in the US and UK is one of the most tone-deaf things I have ever heard.

Let me put it more bluntly. Teenagers and young adults in the US and UK who claim to have been through RAMCOA or OEA are not who we need to be centering in our conversations about Gaza. But in Legion's video about Gaza, that's exactly what they're doing.

#legion #legionsys #legion system

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davidshawnsown · 1 year ago

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USA BASEBALL/COLLEGE SUMMER BASEBALL - and - SAVANNAH BANANAS ONE SHOT RPF - Savannahskaya Kadrovsky??!! -

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(AN: 2022 turned out to be FIRST ever year and now just the only year following one of the more fun teams in college summer ball - the iconic and funny Savannah Bananas of the Coastal Plain League, which in the past few years have spun off two pro teams in theor umbrella playing their own take on baseball, Banana Ball. Now they are committed to play that form year round and leaving the CPL, but the memories of those first years of CPL play will forever go down as part of its history. I therefore present to the fans this one shot RPF featuring these guys from Savannah and the fun ways they have played baseball in these past years up to today and the first Ukraine-set fic of many featuring these guys in yellow, including a full blown RPF fic of their POV of the events in that country. To link up the fics with the wider universe I've included Scott Hatteberg, a former teammate of Eric Byrnes with the A's - and a Team USA Baseball CNT alumnus. This is dedicated to Dalton Maudin and Tanner Thomas - the two members of the Bananas organization and its constituent teams that have been bringing out weekly vlogs on Youtube, you better check them both, as well as Dalton's music there as well and on Spotify!)

SOMEWHERE IN POLTAVA OBLAST

SUNDAY MAY 22, 2022

1400H EEST

"The regiment from Savannah has done it again?!!"

That is the reaction from no less than BG Mark deRosa, the operational commander of US forces in Ukraine under the 46th Command. That regiment, the 716th Savannah, established in the spring of 2015, and led by its now newly promoted commander COL Byrnes, who took over this year from its first commandant, COL Cole, now a honorary Brigadier General and its first ever regimental colonel now retired even at a young age, had been in Ukraine since April, among the first of the collegiate units to be sent to the country to assist the war effort, fight alongside Americans in the International Legion of Territorial Defense and with Ukrainians in the Armed Forces and the National Guard, and also to give the young guys a taste of what their service to the nation entalls.

"Yeah indeed," replied COL Garza. "Those boys whose regiment carries yellow and white colors. They did it again!"

He and others on an ongoing meeting of the command staff in northern Poltava Oblast were referring to those TikTok and Twitter videos, as well as those on Telegram, featuring the boys of this young formation.

It is the sole infantry regiment among the formations of the 351st Southeastern Coastal Infantry Brigade, activated 1997 and whose numeral honors the North Carolina based Coastal Militia Rifles, a militia formation raised in 1935 which in 1936 was granted affilation with what is now the 169th Corps of the 46th Mobilization Command, US Army Reserve, affilated to the Southern Defense Command during the Second World War as a territorial defense brigade which lasted until the early 1950s. Their nickname of Bananas is a nod to the agricultural past of their home city and their full dresss honors partly its Union liberators during the Civil War and its home front efforts in both World Wars.

They began as a ROTC company in late 2015. Almost a year later, the 716th Infantry Battalion was activated, and within 5 years, evolved from a Humvee-armed unit into wheeled mechanized infantry, armed with the Stryker systems, and as a three battalion regiment, with its 2nd and 3rd battalions including minority and immigrant personnel to reflect its home city's character. One battalion each is made up of reservists and the Georgia Army National Guard, making up for a total of 5 battalions.

But these boys' Tiktok combat videos, set to popular Western pop tunes, have got the people motivated to know what is going on in the Ukrainian frontlines. They have been for weeks now in a tense battle for popularity against the Chechen National Guardsmen from Chechnya in Russia, which have been in the Ukrainian front since the onset of the invasion, as well as several of the Ukrainian frontline brigades and militia units, which have similar pop content. These so-called "Yellowshirts" after the yellow and white colors during its foundation today wear the same uniform as those deployed to Ukraine but with a yellow and white armband with the regimental DUI on it as well as the arms of their home city.

The 46th's Ukrainian operational HQ and elements of the 78th Brigade Combat Team had been watching what the boys had been doing on and off the field, while recieving word that their actions in the Soledar front have helped the local Ukrainian forces get motivated to continue the struggle in the weeks prior. Now they have been rotated out with a new assignment north of Kramatorsk City as a reserve formation ready to fight in the Donbas region. They will be on R&R before returning to their then brand new barracks located in Kovel in Volyn Oblast for equipment resupplies as well as to await the arrival of the local maintenance battalion from their home city. The town was chosen as it is a sister city to Chamblee, just northwest of Atlanta, the state capital. Just as in the other American and Canadian formations they were given a Ukrainian advisory team - in that case with officers and NCOs from the 14th Mechanized Infantry Brigade based in Volodymyr City, Volyn Oblast.

Thus the brigadier general had during the meeting phoned the now retired BG Jessie Cole, the newly appointed regimental colonel, on what the boys have had been doing in the frontlines. They were there since early April assigned there in Kovel town, with the 2nd battalion of the 72nd Atlanta based there as well and the local battalion based in Savannah from said regiment, both since early May. They chose that city to keep their ties to Georgia state and its traditions while in country as the first of the collegiate summer service units and the only regiment of its kind so far to fight for the cause of Ukraine in the opening months of the war. He had just arrived in Kramatosk that day with his wife Emily to check on the boys before joining them on the journey back to Kovel.

"I have with me one of COL Byrnes' friends and one who served with him in Oakland. This is now LTC Scott Hatteberg. This year I called for the man to return to service after retiring as a battalion XO almost two decades ago in Oakland. He will be our liason officer on behalf of the brigade, Mr. Cole, with your regiment as its new commander was a friend of his," said the brigadier general on the mobile phone.

"Understood Mark, I now will bring in Eric," Jesse responded. As usual he wore his variant yellow working dress but without the top hat he wore replacing the kepi beginning with his early retirement. The kepi had been worn alternately with the bicorne by officers of the regiment when in full dress in ceremonial events to honor the military history of its home city.

"Thanks sir."

Then Eric got on the cellphone.

"Morning, sir, Colonel Byrnes here of the 716th Infantry Regiment."

"IS THAT YOU ERIC BYRNES? This is Brigadier General Mark DeRosa of the 78th Brigade Combat Team based out of Cary, NC, I have one of your buddies in Oakland with me who is a graduate of the brigade's training program."

"Yes I am, sir. And is that guy with you, sir, Scott Hatteberg?"

"Affirmative colonel Byrnes. How's your regiment now on R&R after all those weeks in Soledar?"

"Nice so far, the American people and the people of Savannah have enjoyed the antics of the men of the 1st Battalion and also our combat videos all this time, which have awakened Americans on what we are supposed to do to aid Ukraine at this time."

"Regarding those in between combat dancing videos on TikTok and Twitter of your boys, as well as on Telegram, are they all true?!"

"Yes, DeRosa, and the people have loved it."

"Cannot believe this, but you boys are better than those Chechens. Dancing, singing, having fun in the field but fighting better than them and the Russians. And who suggested these?"

"Our first battalion commander LTC Gilliam, who has been with us since it was a battalion, and our long time A Company commander soon to be captain Bill Leroy, who's a 1LT by now alongside his faithful XO 1LT Kyle Luigs. The two began with the regiment on secondment from their colleges, last year, following their graduation, when I was appointed regimental commander to replace Jesse who retired a Brigadier General, he recommended that the two be granted permanent status due to their long service with 1st Battalion, and indeed they were permanenty assigned since then."

"1st Platoon commander?"

"1LT Jackson Olson, sir, joined the regiment early this year."

"2nd Platoon is led by whose officer?"

"1LT Dalton Cornett. All officers, NCO and enlisted here, general, were selected for permanent duty in the years after it became a regiment from being a battalion and these people and others from the past 5 years who served on secondment from their respective colleges and universities before with the local lads recruited from within the state were the once I asked, upon the urging of the regimental colonel, to join the 1st Battalion on permanent status. Some of these officers here in the battalion, DeRo, as well as NCOs and enlisted with no collegiate service here nor even direct ties, were recruited on national lines thanks to the efforts of our depot battalion personnel, while the regiment still retains its seconded personnel from the colleges and universities."

"3rd platoon commanding officer is.."

"Turner Pruitt. Was with the regiment in 2021 and is a 1LT. 2LT Bryce Madron from Cowley College's battalion, seconded from his alma mater's unit, joined the regiment on its Ukrainian deployment as the 4th platoon's commander."

"Your PAO chief?"

"CPT Biko Skalla."

"The A Company first sergeant?"

"SFC Malachi Mitchell."

"Acknowleged colonel, will have to bring in LTC Scott Hatteberg. I am damn proud of all of them for their efforts to help Ukraine's ongoing fight by any means. And regarding retired MSGT Bill Lee, your honorary regimental sergeant major for a few months now, he's at home in Connecticut, but has come to Savannah when the regiment was around for months before the departure to Ukraine, I've been told."

"Mark, Bill Lee was appointed by the regiment to serve in a honorary capacity due to his age, but his strength and fitness was still the same when he served with the 1st Boston and the Montreal City Fusiliers. And sir, he sent you an email yesterday thanking you all in the 78th for the support given to his secondary home of Savannah and the 716th Infantry. He was there in the sendoff ceremony last March. He still takes time to visit Grayson Barracks to visit our depot battalion and those recruits who have finished basic training."

"Was a pleasure. Tell him we are forever grateful for his service with the 846th Command and the 169th Corps and we also congratulate him for his appointment as honorary sergeant major."

"Noted, sir."

Then Scott got the phone to talk to Eric, whom he formerly served with.

"Scott Hatteberg here, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army. Just been returned to service after retirement. Now a part of the 78th Brigade Combat Team. It's because I was a part of the collegiate training unit under that platoon years before. You still remember me from those years?" he started up the chat.

"Yes Scott, this is Eric, I still remember those days in the Oakland barracks and training fields together with others. Glad you're back in uniform again. How's your regiment going?"

"Been a tough few weeks in Soledar, but boy, these were tough but happy days for the boys in yellow. Fighting against Russians and the Chechen allies at the front, but we never waivered, we never gave up hope in the fight with our Ukrainian allies."

"You guys going back to Kovel after this to recharge for the trip home and then to prepare to return here for the summer offensives?"

"You bet we are, Scott."

"I am thankful to you for having been a part of those years I spent in Oakland, as well as to General DeRosa for giving me this chance to coordinate jointly our efforts as well as with the other US and Canadian forces fighting with our Ukrainian allies. I'm sure this is the start of a great partnership together, especially that the general has given me this assignment to coordinate our efforts to help Ukraine fight its way to victory."

"You're welcome Scott, make sure there will be new videos coming out from you guys in the weeks to come." "Yes sir, there's more where they came from, colonel. BTW who was behind all of these aside from those in battalion and company leadership?"

"MAJ Frongillo, part of regimental staff. He's the one who came out with that idea."

"Well, congrats to him as well. I expect more from Zack in the coming weeks as well as to the PAO team led by Biko. Who's the main videographer of the regiment?"

"SFC Breaux. He's in charge of the video and film duties for Public Affairs. Also, I have to inform you that two of the guys in A Company - CPL Maudin who joined last year and was a part of 1st Platoon and CPL Thomas, a newbie of 2nd Platoon and a direct entry corporal with the unit - have been putting in superb combat videos and vlogs on Telegram and Youtube. They and many of the 1st and 2nd platoon boys whose stories have become the living witness to the ongoing war have inspired many not just to continue helping Ukraine but also to encourage others to dedicate themselves in service to the nation. If you check Telegram and Instagram, their English posts have opened many to the reality of the war they are fighting in and many of the young men and women are already following their journey so far."

"All the best for you guys, sir, Hatteberg out."

"Byrnes out sir."

"I'm sure there's more of that coming up," Scott stated to the gathered personnel from brigade command after watching the video of elements of A Company and the battalion staff dancing with their regimental commander and regimental colonel from his cellphone. And that was after Jesse spoke on video to those who have followed their journey so far on Tiktok and Twitter, as well as on the regiment's Telegram channel, expressing his gratitude and that of COL Byrnes to everyone who have supported them in every way possible on their journey to fight Russians in Ukrainian lands together with elements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as to those who have already given their time to support the country in her time of need. That short dance clip stunned everyone watching and confirmed everyone of what the online world had been talking about. He finishes with "I am certain the regiment has been going good in the PAO side of things and am glad to report that their regimental depot battalion CO has emailed me that their efforts, as well as the stories they shared online, has led up to a massive recruitment effort there in the city not just for this regiment but for the other military units in Savannah. And many who are trying to join the 716th are coming from all over the country!"

"That's incredible news," BG Maxwell stated.

"So are you sure that these new recruits, after finishing basic training and getting assigned here on their own wishes, will be serving in Ukraine with the regiment soon?" asked SGM Pollock.

"Affirmative, they will be there soon."

And when asked by COL Bianco on whose concept it was, the LTC replied that it was an officer of regimental staff, MAJ Traczuk, who helped the sergeant first class pitch that idea to Public Affairs and it was based on the post-exercise recreation and fun the boys had stateside since it was a battalion.

COL Bloomquist added, "You have a tough job ahead of you, colonel. But soon you will learn more about those boys."

"Got that, one day I will check them before they leave for home to welcome a new batch of summer enlistees who will be serving this time, given that the regiment is forward deployed to Ukraine, with the 4th and 5th battalions based stateside."

These boys from Savannah, who were selected from every corner of the nation to fight in this ongoing war, are not just contributing to the fight for Ukraine's independence, they are dancing their way to victory.

"And one thing's for sure," adds the lieutenant colonel from Salem in Oregon, "Dalton and Tanner, and the rest of their company, will lead more young people in realizing Ukraine and democracy all over the world are both worth fighting for, and we have to help defend Ukraine and our allies no matter what it takes. I'm sure you all watched their appeal to the people of Savannah and the nation lately. Now that I've been appointed liason to this unit and those units preparing to serve in Ukraine whose personnel are either ROTC or college regiment personnel, I will do my best to coordinate our efforts towards this goal."

@kiinghanalister @travisdermotts @lukeexplorer

#savannah bananas #baseball rpf #ukraine au #baseball fanfiction #ukraine war au #ukraine conflict #ukraine war #baseball au #baseball fanfic

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pretordh · 2 years ago

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A 28-year-old American volunteer died in Ukraine, CNN

Andrew Peters, a veteran of the US Army, died on February 16 in combat in Ukraine.

In 2014, Peters served in Afghanistan. In November 2022, he joined the International Defense Legion of Ukraine.

We can confirm the death of US citizens in Ukraine. We are in contact with their families and are providing all possible consular assistance," said a representative of the US State Department in a comment to CNN.

#war #russian agression #ukraine war #ukraine #stop russia #stop putin #stop war #russian terrorism #genocide

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howieabel · 2 years ago

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"As time passes, indirect German participation in the war could become more and more direct: a slippery slope, like its role as arms supplier. Considerable numbers of Ukrainian troops are already being trained in Germany, on American but increasingly also on Bundeswehr bases, and not a few Germans, mostly right-wing radicals, are fighting in international legions with the Ukrainian army. Very soon, the Leopards that have been deployed will need to be serviced and repaired, which may require sending them back to Germany. Rheinmetall has announced that they will set up a plant in Ukraine to build about 400 Leopards a year, obviously on the assumption that the war will last long enough for the Ukrainian-produced tanks to come on stream, and for the plant to be profitable. As a matter of course, the factory will have to be protected by air defenses – best operated, one imagines, by experienced German teams. As for the fighter planes, they would most safely be stationed away from the battlefield, perhaps somewhere in the Rhineland where the facilities necessary for their maintenance already exist. Specialists in international law will debate whether backstage support like this does or does not make a country a combatant; ultimately it will be the Chinese, not a court of law, who will decide what actions Russia can take in response." - Wolfgang Streeck

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lady-nightmare · 2 years ago

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Google translation:

The first Polish special unit is being established in Ukraine

In Kiev, the beginning of the formation of the first Polish special unit subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was announced. Poles will perform reconnaissance and sabotage tasks. The elite unit will include the most experienced soldiers, including volunteers fighting against Russia. The Polish unit will cooperate with a similar unit composed of Russians. The Polish unit will probably be called the Polish Volunteer Legion. There are already similar units composed of Russians and Belarusians. A German unit is formed Members of non-Ukrainian special forces are subject to very strict rules. Failure to do so means immediate cancellation of the contract

On Wednesday, at 1 p.m. Polish time, a meeting took place in Kiev, during which the formation of the first special unit composed of Poles was announced. The meeting was attended by a Polish citizen who is the organizer of the unit, several Polish volunteers, the commander and chief of staff of the Russian RDK (Russian Volunteer Corps) fighting for Ukraine, and a representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. For security reasons, all these people remain anonymous.

The unit will not be part of the International Legion for Territorial Defense of Ukraine, in which Polish volunteers have so far fought side by side with volunteers from other countries, performing frontline tasks. It will be a special unit independent of this legion, reporting directly to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Probably our unit will be called the Polish Volunteer Legion. It is organized by an undisclosed Polish citizen, who has been fighting Russia in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. The organized unit will not be a typical frontline unit, like those in an international legion, but will be engaged in reconnaissance and diversion.

There are already two similar units composed of foreigners in Ukraine. These are the RDK and the BDK (Belarusian Volunteer Corps) composed of Russians fighting for Ukraine. Each of these formations consists of several dozen soldiers. The Polish unit will be the third of its kind and may initially consist of a similar number of people. Simultaneously with the Polish unit, a similar German unit is being formed.

Volunteers aspiring to the Polish unit will be selected on the basis of selection conducted by specialists from Poland and Ukraine. The basic condition for admission to the selection is military training and no problems with alcohol or drugs. Polish members of the unit are planning to create a recruitment center in Poland. This has not yet been agreed with the Polish authorities.

The unit's base will be located in an undisclosed location in the Kiev region. The makeshift headquarters is already operating under conditions of secrecy. A number of volunteers are already preparing for combat operations. Some of them have participated in some reconnaissance and sabotage activities during the current war.

A contact website or phone number for Poles who would like to enlist in the unit will be made public in the coming days.

The Polish unit will largely be modeled on the Russian RDK unit, which is the most experienced of the units of the same profile and enjoys a very good combat reputation. There is an iron discipline in that unit. For example, arms or drug trafficking is treated as desertion there. On the part of the Ukrainian army, such behavior results in an immediate termination of the contract.

Members of non-Ukrainian units are aware that volunteers from foreign formations are subject to extremely strict rules, because every scandal with foreign soldiers is carefully used by Russian propaganda.

The Russians from the RDK declared that they would be fully involved in helping to form the Polish unit as soon as possible. Also at the level of the first joint actions, the Russians declare cooperation and support. Over time, the Polish unit will gain more and more independence.

Both formations - as well as the Belarusian and German units - are also focused on cooperation and joint training, also after each of them becomes independent units. They also provide for the support of specialists in various actions. A representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said that the transfer of military books to Poles and thus the final formalization of the unit can take place very quickly, even within a week or two. — It is much easier with Poles than with Belarusians or Russians who come from countries that are hostile to us. In the case of Poles, all procedures work much faster - he said.

The formation of these national units is based on the natural willingness of soldiers to fight in groups with their compatriots - said the commander of the Russian RDK unit, explaining such a structure of units, he added: - We Russians have gone through the hardest way to be able to fight in this war. I am a citizen of the Russian Federation. If I managed to create such a unit, it will be much easier for Poles.

It is extremely important to me that I was given the opportunity to form the first Polish special unit in Ukraine - said the Polish organizer of the unit. - Poland is the country that supports Ukraine the most, which is why I am particularly proud that I was given this role. I am sure that our unit will be a model for other similar formations.

#ukraine #poland

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adrl-pt · 2 months ago

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Problems of Ukrainian army volunteers from Russia. Restoration of elected institutions in Venezuela.

You are watching news from the weekly rally at the Russian Embassy in Lisbon. Today is October 5, 2:30 PM.

On October 4, the Civic Council, which has been recruiting Russians for the International Legion of the Ukrainian Defense Forces since November 2022, published a report "Volunteers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Russian citizenship: veterans without a homeland." The report provides examples of critical situations in which volunteers who are demobilized at the end of their contract or after being wounded find themselves. They often cannot obtain a residence permit, they are deported to countries that are unsafe due to the activity of Russian special services, and they are forced to wander around refugee camps. The Civic Council calls on EU countries and the UNHCR office to pay attention to this situation and develop measures to ensure the safety and legal status of volunteers. https://www.patreon.com/posts/dobrovoltsy-vsu-113345610

On March 19, at the FSB board, Putin gave the order to punish such people "wherever they are" "so that no one would dare to do the same." https://www.moscowtimes.ru/2024/03/19/putin-prikazal-fsb-naiti-vseh-predatelei-inedopustit-smuti-a124948

In 2020, the US State Department offered up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro and comparable amounts for 14 other Venezuelan officials accused of narcoterrorism, corruption and other crimes. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nicol-s-maduro-moros-and-14-current-and-former-venezuelan-officials-charged-narco-terrorism

On September 17, an unknown group calling themself "the same Venezuelans who resisted, endured, and persevered" launched the "Ya Casi Venezuela" campaign. At the time of recording the video, they had raised $1.4 million out of $10 million to restore legitimately elected institutions and representatives. https://yacasivenezuela.com/

On October 4, Erik Prince told Colombia's "W Radio" that although he is not the project's leader, he supports the "good" government of the Venezuelans, who have clearly won the elections. He said that thousands of people from the Venezuelan security forces who oppose the regime have approached him for help. The first stage of the campaign will be to investigate election fraud and find out where the regime is hiding its stolen goods. https://www.wradio.com.co/2024/10/04/israel-detecto-el-lanzamiento-de-222-cohetes-de-hezbola-durante-este-viernes/?rel=buscador_noticias

Erik Prince founded the private military company Blackwater, which was implicated in human rights abuses during the US invasion of Iraq, his name is also linked to arms trafficking violations and numerous legal problems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Prince

And about "information laundering". Working with disinformation specialists for a year, the BBC discovered a UK-registered company, Yala News, broadcasting Russian propaganda to the Arab world. Its content is copies of messages from sites linked to the Russian state. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-65150030

Since September 24, pro-Russian channels have been spreading a fake video of activists holding posters in front of the UN building that have been replaced with anti-Ukrainian ones. The original video shows Russian anti-war activists of For freedom in Russia with posters in support of Ukraine. https://www.facebook.com/groups/forfreedominrussia/permalink/2429296493944161/

Fundraising continues for portable power stations for hospitals and schools of Ukraine and for the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by the Russian authorities. https://antiwarcommittee.info/en/energy-for-life/ https://www.every.org/orphans-feeding-foundation/f/help-us-return-the-deported

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Schedule of our activities, 11 social networks in 3 languages and much more on our website: https://adrl.pt/en

#borderline problems #elected #venezuela

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cyberbenb · 10 months ago

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Volunteers from 50 nations join Ukraine’s International Legion to fight Russian aggression

On March 7, 2024, the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine marked its founding anniversary. The legion plays a crucial role in uniting volunteers from more than 50 countries who Source : www.weareukraine.info/volunteer…

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noisynutcrusade · 1 year ago

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“Ukraine recognized him as a soldier of Zelensky, he was not a mercenary.” The investigation into Genoese Kevin Chiappalone has been closed

The name of the formation he fought for had been identified without a shadow of a doubt by Interpol: International legion of territorial defense of Ukraine. And based on the investigations conducted by the Genoa Prosecutor's Office, it is an international brigade included in the Ukrainian regular army. This is why Kevin Chiappalone, the Genoese student now twenty-one years old and former…

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ramrodd · 1 year ago

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What is the historical context behind the Wagner mercenary group's attempted mutiny in Rostov-on-Don?

Wagner finished its job and got out to make it easy for Zelensky to declare victory.

COMMENTARY:

I believe it was theater decided upon by Putin and the Wagner guy to de-escalate the de-Nazification program because it had completed the liquidation Putin had begun to plan in 2013. He had not intended to be as public as things have turned out, but the January 6 insurgency in Washington by the Nazification of the GOP forced his hand against his existential opponents in Russia, the Nazification Oligarchs associated with Bill Browder, Merrill Lynch and Trump’s 2013 staging of the Miss Universe Pageant.

Right now, Africa is Jomini’s Fourth Wall of the battle space. The gallop towards American hegemony led by John Bolton and the Project for the New American Century neo-cons of Bush/Cheney abrogated the authorities of the Dayton Accords that included the NATO-Russia Kosovo Protocols that were poised to occupy the moral vacuum of Africa ahead of China. The continuation of the Cold War positioning of Bush/Cheney were adopted uncritically by Hillary Clinton’s Russian narrative by Obama/Biden, Trump’s unilateral surrender to the Taliban was inexplicable at the time except for reelection optics. but the subsequent exposure of Trump’s treachery and treason revealed by January 6 destablalized something in Russia that ended up with Putin massing on the border with the Ukraine with the intent of de-Nazification of the Dun Bas and putting out that nasty little war as part of the Dayton Accords.

Well, McGovern Democrats like Biden and Hillary have had their heads up their collective assholes in terms of Clausewitz since Watergate and Biden dropped the ball when Putin massed on the boarder. The object of the exercise was to flow in UN Blue Helment Peace Keepers like in Bosnia and enforce a ceasefire, with Putin and NATO just over the horizon. Clinton and the French Foreign Legion UN Blue Helment Peace Makers in Bosnia should have shared a Nobel Peace Prize for putting out a nasty little genocide, but neither liberal or conservative Boomers have any more idea what Pentagon is actually capable of doing than the Pope has of genecology.

So, the Ukraine Incursion has turned out the way it has, but the liquidation of the Nazification elements in the Dun Bas on both sides have been largely completed. Good, bad or indifferent, Wagner is a pro-Putin para-military faction opposed to the Nazification Oligarchs generally associated with America commercial Fascism and January 6 Republicans.

The hope of the Kremlin from what I can discern is that Zelensky accept victory short of the objectives of his current offensive. Zelensky is at a Pork Chop Hill moment in the conduct of his valiant defense of Ukraine. where he needs to shut down lethal military operations and submit to international arbitration. The problem is, he needs America’s enthusiastic support with the UN Peace Keepers and Biden seems to be a bit tone deaf if the combination of Trump and Tommy Tuberville as a proxy for the January 6 Republicans who are committed to impeaching Biden at a moment identical to when Gingrich and Tom DeLay produced the impeachment of Clinton for getting a blow job in the Oval Office just at the moment Clinton really needed a free hand to prevent the genocide in Bosnia before it got started.

So, that’s what I think that’s what the whole Wagner drama represents. IT is essential to understand that Trump and the Kremlin have never had any shared interests with the exception of the creation of the US Space Force, which will complete the American transition from the Military Industrial Complex of the Manhattan Project to the Aerospace-Entrepreneurial Matrix of Apollo 11 and 2001: A Space Odyssey. This whole January 6 Nazification is so 1950s Ivy League Socialism of the John Birch Society.

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quotesfrommyreading · 1 year ago

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Two weeks later, Doc landed in Warsaw with a duffle bag containing medical supplies and body armor. He texted the number and was directed to a motel near the Ukrainian border. Several groups of men, “obviously military guys,” loitered in the parking lot. A few had unrolled sleeping bags in the lobby. Nobody would talk to Doc. Paranoia about spies and infiltrators was acute. The previous day, Russian cruise missiles had targeted the main training camp for the International Legion, in Yavoriv, a Ukrainian city about an hour’s drive away. Though no foreigners had died, dozens of Ukrainians were killed. A friend of mine—a Canadian Army veteran who’d joined the Legion��had survived the attack. When I’d reached him by phone, he’d described the scene as “a bloodbath.”

Doc had been waiting at the motel for about six hours when a cargo van pulled up. The driver told him to get in. “That’s all he said,” Doc remembered. “I was, like, All right. Fuck it.”

Half a dozen volunteers from South America crowded into the back with him. They were brought to an abandoned school and then, eventually, to the base in Yavoriv. Of the hundreds of foreigners who had been at the facility when it was hit, many had returned to Poland. According to my Canadian friend, this was for the best. Although some of the men had been “legit, values-driven, warrior-mentality” veterans, others were “shit”: “gun nuts,” “right-wing bikers,” “ex-cops who are three hundred pounds.” Two people had accidentally discharged their weapons inside his tent in less than a week. A “chaotic” lack of discipline had been exacerbated by “a fair amount of cocaine.”

The attack functioned as a filter. “It was almost comical to watch all these tough guys just shit themselves and run away,” my friend said. By the time Doc reached Yavoriv, a higher proportion of the volunteers were committed fighters. The main branch of the Legion fell under the purview of the Ukrainian Army, but the G.U.R., the Defense Ministry’s intelligence directorate, was also recruiting foreigners for specialized assignments. After an interview with a G.U.R. officer, Doc was placed on a thirteen-man team composed of Brazilians, Portuguese, Brits, and others. They were deployed to Sumy, in the north, to conduct reconnaissance on armored columns moving toward Kyiv.

In April, Russian forces retreated from northern Ukraine in order to concentrate on the Donbas, in the east. The G.U.R. sent Doc and his comrades to a region there called Donetsk. The fighting intensified. Over the spring and summer, two members of Doc’s unit were killed and several injured. Others went home. When we met in Kyiv, his team had dwindled to five men, and the contraction reflected a broader trend. In March, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister had stated that twenty thousand people, from fifty-two countries, had expressed interest in signing up for the International Legion. That month in Kyiv, I’d met numerous Americans and Europeans eager to join the war effort, and a room in the train station had been dedicated to welcoming such new arrivals. The Legion refuses to disclose how many members it now counts, but it is nowhere near twenty thousand.

Many foreigners, no matter how seasoned or élite, were unprepared for the reality of combat in Ukraine: the front line, which extends for roughly seven hundred miles, features relentless, industrial-scale violence of a type unknown in Europe since the Second World War. The ordeal of weathering modern artillery for extended durations is distinct from anything that Western soldiers faced in Iraq or Afghanistan (where they enjoyed a monopoly on such firepower). “Once you’ve been dropped on heavy—ninety per cent of people can’t handle that, even if they’re combat-experienced,” Doc told me.

— Trapped in the Trenches in Ukraine

#luke mogelson #trapped in the trenches in ukraine #current events #warfare #russo-ukrainian war #2022 russian invasion of ukraine #war in donbas #ukraine #international legion of territorial defence of ukraine

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globalbuzz · 2 years ago

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Russia Uses Powerful Thermobaric Weapons Against Anti-Kremlin Rebels

Thermobaric weapons, also called "vacuum bombs," are extremely powerful explosives that work by sucking up the surrounding oxygen and mixing it with fuel. This mixture greatly increases the explosive force and flammability of the weapon, making it devastatingly effective against both structures and people. No place is safe when a thermobaric bomb is dropped; it can destroy buildings, foxholes, and even bunkers. While several countries, including the United States, have possessed thermobaric weapons for a long time, Russia stands out by deploying thermobaric missiles on mobile launchers. In June 2023, Russia used one of these missiles against a group of anti-Kremlin rebels within its own borders. This incident has raised speculation about the growth of rebel movements against President Putin's regime and the potential for a broader resistance movement within Russia. However, it is certain that at least one group of rebels has been eliminated. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed that they deployed a thermobaric missile launcher in Belgorod, a city near the border with Ukraine, in response to reports of armed insurgents attacking from inside Russia. The launcher, called TOS-1A, is mounted on a tank and can launch rockets over a distance of two miles.

The TOS-1A launch platform, which can be equipped with thermobaric munitions, has 24 220mm tubes and can fire two missiles within 0.5 seconds. With the Russian security forces inside the country receiving increasingly powerful weapons compared to those deployed in Ukraine, they have managed to prevent anti-Putin militias, such as the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Liberty of Russia Legion, from causing widespread panic or destruction along Russia's borders. The Russian Volunteer Corps did not explicitly state whether their troops were involved in the fighting in Belgorod, but they did acknowledge their activities inside Russia. The Liberty of Russia Legion claims to collaborate with the Ukrainian Armed Forces but denies operating in Russia on behalf of Ukraine. Neither group admits to facing Russian thermobaric rockets. Thermobaric weapons, including those used by Russia, kill by creating a pressure wave of fuel and atmospheric oxygen that engulfs buildings and vehicles. A second explosion ignites this fuel-air mixture, generating a massive blast wave capable of damaging lungs, crushing reinforced concrete structures, and destroying armored vehicles from the inside. Even if the second explosion fails to occur, victims of thermobaric weapons can still be killed by the burning fuel that sticks to their skin and enters their lungs. These weapons essentially function as a type of chemical weapon, utilizing a flammable and toxic cloud that is ignited. The development of such weapons began with Nazi Germany and was later adopted by the United States during the Vietnam War. The Soviet Union followed suit shortly after. A group of nations has advocated for a United Nations ban on the use of thermobaric weapons, even in warfare. However, despite two attempts in 1990 and 2010, no progress has been made. The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom suggests that the use of these weapons against internal threats indicates a dilemma for Russian military leaders: whether to focus on fortifying defenses within Russia or to utilize them to support their operations in Ukraine. Future attacks by anti-Putin militias on Belgorod are likely, which may force Russia to withdraw its advanced weaponry from Ukraine. Read the full article

#Anti-KremlinRebels #Belgorod #InternalThreats #MilitaryTechnology #ResistanceMovements #russia #ThermobaricWeapons #ukraine #VacuumBombs

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