15 votes

Weekly megathread for news/updates/discussion of Russian invasion of Ukraine - August 4

This thread is posted weekly on Thursday - please try to post relevant content in here, such as news, updates, opinion articles, etc. Especially significant updates may warrant a separate topic, but most should be posted here.

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13 comments

  1. [7]
    Adys
    (edited )
    Link
    Amnesty released a report about the safety of civilians being put in danger by Ukrainians. The chief of the Ukrainian branch has resigned in protest of and disagreement with that report. Article:...

    Amnesty released a report about the safety of civilians being put in danger by Ukrainians. The chief of the Ukrainian branch has resigned in protest of and disagreement with that report. Article:
    https://www.brusselstimes.com/world-all-news/268031/amnesty-ukraine-chief-resigns-after-amnesty-report-accuses-ukraine-of-endangering-victims

    Update: Polish office chimes in, condemns Russia: https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1555933713481048072

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      Adys
      Link Parent
      More context on this infuriatingly bullshit report: https://mobile.twitter.com/sumlenny/status/1555280431561560064 UK statement of chief with EN translation at the end.

      More context on this infuriatingly bullshit report:

      https://mobile.twitter.com/sumlenny/status/1555280431561560064

      UK statement of chief with EN translation at the end.

      4 votes
      1. cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Amnesty regrets 'distress' caused by report rebuking Ukraine Sounds like the only thing they actually regret is now being on the receiving end of the totally justified backlash, and the potential...

        Amnesty regrets 'distress' caused by report rebuking Ukraine

        Amnesty International apologised on Sunday for "distress and anger" caused by a report accusing Ukraine of endangering civilians which infuriated President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and triggered the resignation of its Kyiv office head.

        The rights group published the report on Thursday saying the presence of Ukrainian troops in residential areas heightened risks to civilians during Russia's invasion. read more

        "Amnesty International deeply regrets the distress and anger that our press release on the Ukrainian military's fighting tactics has caused," it said in an email to Reuters.

        "Amnesty International’s priority in this and in any conflict is ensuring that civilians are protected. Indeed, this was our sole objective when releasing this latest piece of research. While we fully stand by our findings, we regret the pain caused."

        Zelenskiy accused the group of trying to shift responsibility from Russian aggression, while Amnesty's Ukraine head Oksana Pokalchuk quit saying the report was a propaganda gift for Moscow. read more

        Ukrainian officials say they try to evacuate civilians from front-line areas. Russia, which denies targeting civilians, has not commented on the rights report.

        In its email on Sunday, Amnesty said it had found Ukrainian forces next to civilian residences in 19 towns and villages it visited, exposing them to risk of incoming Russian fire.

        "This does not mean that Amnesty International holds Ukrainian forces responsible for violations committed by Russian forces, nor that the Ukrainian military is not taking adequate precautions elsewhere in the country," it said.

        "We must be very clear: Nothing we documented Ukrainian forces doing in any way justifies Russian violations."

        Sounds like the only thing they actually regret is now being on the receiving end of the totally justified backlash, and the potential loss of donors due to their actions. I know for sure that I will now seriously hesitate before ever donating to Amnesty again, which I never would have before.


        p.s. The Russian propaganda using this justify their attacks on civilian targets has already begun. Way to go, Amnesty, you fucking idiots. See: https://twitter.com/mission_russian/status/1555962879563669507

        4 votes
      2. skybrian
        Link Parent
        Do you have better sources on Ukrainian tactics with respect to civilians near the front lines? It’s worrisome that there is a dispute between international observers and Ukrainians about this...

        Do you have better sources on Ukrainian tactics with respect to civilians near the front lines? It’s worrisome that there is a dispute between international observers and Ukrainians about this report, but I don’t think that tells us much about what’s really going on.

        1 vote
    2. [3]
      Adys
      Link Parent
      Some good discussion on /r/europe about this: https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/whh44l/amnesty_international_scandal_ukraine_office_head/ Linked from there: Tweets by Marc Garlasco...

      Some good discussion on /r/europe about this: https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/whh44l/amnesty_international_scandal_ukraine_office_head/

      Linked from there: Tweets by Marc Garlasco ("Military Advisor was DIA, HRW, CNA, UN war crimes investigator specialized in civilian harm mitigation")

      The money quote:

      While nothing has stopped Russia from hitting civilian areas, now they have an excuse. A respected human rights org said the targets are there.

      As for me, I'd like to congratulate Amnesty International on completely, permanently and irreversibly losing all credit I ever gave them.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        NoblePath
        Link Parent
        I can’t see how Russia is any more justified, or any more eager, in its onslaught as a result of amnesty’s report.

        I can’t see how Russia is any more justified, or any more eager, in its onslaught as a result of amnesty’s report.

        1 vote
        1. Adys
          Link Parent
          They’re not more justified. They have an excuse.

          They’re not more justified. They have an excuse.

          3 votes
  2. [5]
    cmccabe
    (edited )
    Link
    Zelensky: The war must end with the liberation of Crimea. https://twitter.com/kyivindependent/status/1557128400703299585 Edit, more on that: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62487303

    Zelensky: The war must end with the liberation of Crimea.
    https://twitter.com/kyivindependent/status/1557128400703299585

    Edit, more on that: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62487303

    2 votes
    1. [4]
      FishFingus
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      And they've already hit an airbase there, so they can reach out to approx. 200km now. Edit: nein.

      And they've already hit an airbase there, so they can reach out to approx. 200km now.

      Edit: nein.

      2 votes
      1. [3]
        skybrian
        Link Parent
        How those explosions happened still seems to be a mystery. The Ukrainians aren't saying and seem to be trolling the Russians. Deadly Crimea blasts are ‘just the beginning,’ Ukraine warns Russia I...

        How those explosions happened still seems to be a mystery. The Ukrainians aren't saying and seem to be trolling the Russians.

        Deadly Crimea blasts are ‘just the beginning,’ Ukraine warns Russia

        It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the blasts on the west coast of the peninsula, in an area of beach resorts. An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky distanced Kyiv from the attack. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said it appeared Ukrainian forces had carried out a strike using a weapon not provided by the United States. U.S. officials referred additional questions about the operation to Ukraine.

        I don't think it's ruled out that it was an accident?

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          skybrian
          Link Parent
          Looks like they claimed it now: Ukraine Live Briefing: Ukraine special forces behind deadly Crimea strike, official says

          Looks like they claimed it now:

          Ukraine Live Briefing: Ukraine special forces behind deadly Crimea strike, official says

          A deadly strike on a Russian air base in occupied Crimea was carried out by Ukrainian special forces, a Ukrainian government official told The Washington Post on Wednesday.

          2 votes
          1. FishFingus
            Link Parent
            Ahh, I was hoping for longer-range missiles, that would've been perfect. Hope they get them soon.

            Ahh, I was hoping for longer-range missiles, that would've been perfect. Hope they get them soon.