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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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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
More context on this infuriatingly bullshit report:
https://mobile.twitter.com/sumlenny/status/1555280431561560064
UK statement of chief with EN translation at the end.
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 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
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.
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:
As for me, I'd like to congratulate Amnesty International on completely, permanently and irreversibly losing all credit I ever gave them.
I can’t see how Russia is any more justified, or any more eager, in its onslaught as a result of amnesty’s report.
They’re not more justified. They have an excuse.
Turkish Banks Are Adopting Russian Payments System, Erdogan Says
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-06/turkish-banks-are-adopting-russian-payments-system-erdogan-says
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
And they've already hit an airbase there, so they can reach out to approx. 200km now.
Edit: nein.
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 don't think it's ruled out that it was an accident?
Looks like they claimed it now:
Ukraine Live Briefing: Ukraine special forces behind deadly Crimea strike, official says
Ahh, I was hoping for longer-range missiles, that would've been perfect. Hope they get them soon.