The world has united against Putin. I think it is a misnomer to believe that we have turned against Russia and its people. Many thousands of Russians at great risk to themselves have demonstrated in streets of Russia in support of Ukraine. Putin has turned many more Russians against him as he has caused great harm to Russia, while rockets and troops attack the Ukrainian People.
Many residents in Ukraine are using purpose-built bunkers or commercial basements as bomb shelters. About 5,000 such shelters have been identified in the capital Kyiv. Subway stations in Kyiv and Kharkiv are being used to shelter huge groups of people. Some are sheltered in purpose-built bunkers, others in basements and large groups have gathered in underground railway stations.
Many metro stations are full of families and children, who have brought along everything from sleeping bags and blankets, to crossword puzzles and dogs.
"It just happened. We were not preparing to flee," one sheltering resident said.
Kyiv is home to the deepest train station in the world, Arsenalna Metro Station, while people are also sheltering in subways in cities such as Kharkiv, near Ukraine's north-eastern border with Russia.
With the threat of invasion looming for weeks, residents of the capital had time to reacquaint themselves with the thousands of shelters scattered around the city. Some were built during the Cold War and, while they may look antiquated, officials have been working to upgrade them since 2014, the year Russia annexed Crimea.
"We have been working on putting the protective structures in place for eight years," the Director of Municipal Security, Roman Tkachuk, told the ABC last week.
"We are ready for the fact that war can come to us."
The Kyiv City Council published a regularly updated map of bunkers, shelters and basements that could be used to hide out.
And, while some locations are doubling as hiding places, others are being used to prepare for a fight. A school in Lviv has repurposed its basement to serve as a gun range for students.
Among the targets was a printed picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some students have already been doing firearms training for years.
"I believe every man should know how to shoot and defend his homeland," a 15-year-old student said at the range.
“We’ve lived eight years of unending war,” a woman who runs a blood bank in eastern Ukraine told The Times. “There’s nowhere to run. All Ukraine is exploding.” (AP, NYTimes, ABCNews)
We wish to have fortitude, unity and absolute determination of the Ukrainians, while they fight for Democracy. ероям слава!, (Glory to the Heroes)
Feb 28, 2022·edited Feb 28, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
For Robert's pithy points about Putin's War on Ukraine, a British journalist did an expose on Russian elitist oligarch's investments in Great Britain that connect dots between Putin, Trump, and GOP:
Tonight NBC interviewed a bartender in Texas (shouldn't judge, but he sounded like a trumper) who was proudly and loudly pouring out his Russian vodka and replacing it with Ukrainian vodka. And there, too, has Putin succeeded in uniting Americans, as I assume fellow progressives would link arms with Mr. Texas Bartender in this show of support for Ukraine!
I too remember the fear that blanketed the US during the Cuban missile crisis - even us little kids. It was terrifying to imagine that all life could end in one miscalculation. We were glued to the TV.
My parents were Republicans - the "I like Ike" type. They had both served with him in the war. But despite their political affiliation, they never said anything that was unsupportive of OUR President Kennedy. They didn't personally care for the Kennedy's and their rich lifestyle turned them off. But they respected him as a defender of democracy. He too, had risked his life in fighting fascism. There was a sense of a national bond. United as Americans.
A footnote:
My parent's best friends were ardent Democrats - they all loved each other and saw political and religious differences as normal. We drove a Ford, they drove a Chevy. English and Irish. My Dad would have reached into a burning Chevy to pull his Irish friend out. And vice versa.
Feb 28, 2022·edited Feb 28, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
If there are any doubts about the present military outcome in Ukraine, the 2015 documentary ‘The Winter of Fire’ provides clarity.It covers the bloody take-back of their Country from the Putin installed puppet President Yankovych between 2013 and 2014.
This is Putin’s Revenge War and quite unlikely to end well for him.
If there is one glimmer of good news, it’s that republicans are now between a rock and a hard place. If they continue to tout ignorant support of anything Putin, including Trump, they will be up against an increasing split with other republicans. (Even Trump has recently modified his stance on Ukraine I do believe but I hope not.) And really, it’s the independent voter that gets to choose which side wins. Don’t kid yourself otherwise. I liken myself to be independent but my safe harbors are usually on left-leaning issues. I just get frustrated with progressive agenda (that I don’t often totally disagree with) which often creates a losing proposition for democrats. And I prefer to be on the winning side.
Back to the war effort, the best outcome would be a junta takeover of the Russian government with disposes Putin and ends the invasion.
I worry about how Putin can withdraw from Ukraine without losing face. Since his ego is the single, biggest driver of his invasion, I don't see any easy way out for him. "Oopsie" isn't really going to work. It's horrible to think of having to coddle such a monstrous ego (much the same way Trump's minions have to coddle his monstrous ego), but that's what most likely has to be done. This morning Ukraine is sending a delegation to meet with a Russian delegation to discuss...what? Russia invaded a sovereign country. The only discussion should be which roads the Russian troops should take to go back home.
Why is it not clear that we are so much better off in this mess with Biden than if we switch teams? I am baffled. Is it just that things are scary and more expensive? Is there no big picture. If we had the Putin Promoters in charge, this would be a full blown unstoppable invasion.
It is now time to start clearly calling out Putin's invasion of Ukraine what it truly is - a War Crime and Genocide. Yesterday, Ukraine referred the case to the International Court of Justice. I hope that the U.S., the EU, and every other member of the UN will join in this filing. What is happening in Ukraine is clearly a War Crime and must be recognized as such and Putin himself held responsible for it.
Wounded Pride=Global destruction. That is a brilliant call, Robert! Thank you for quoting Romney’s description of Putin as “feral-eyed,” which seems spot-on. Your Monday newsletter today seems to me both inspiring and prescient. We are indeed lucky to have Biden as President. I simply do not understand the Press’s antipathy, but I imagine it has something to do with upper management and owners. Thank you as always for your leadership.
Feb 28, 2022·edited Feb 28, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Awesome newsletter ! Friedman’s essay is a must-read.
I also have memories of stocking the pantry and the Duck and Cover drills.
We have decided to do our hurricane prep early this year. Plenty of cash on hand, generator propane tanks filled, bottled water ,canned goods …just in case Hurricane Putin causes any disruptions.
The sanctions are to be applauded. And I'm still looking for Russian oligarchs to be forced to sell their ownership of professional sports teams. Perhaps the most visible is Putin ally Roman Abramovich who owns the Chelsea football team. And there are others. That will really make them howl.
As the world unites around Ukraine and imposes sanctions and other measures to stop the attack on the Ukrainian people I was thinking if the same outrage and cooperation and coordinated effort of people coming together could be directed toward Trump and the Putin and Russian allied Republicans to send the same message “ we won’t tolerate or accept this behavior. “. What is missing is the outrage from the American people. What will it take?
In regards to the references to the NPR article and Kyiv Independent newspaper, I donated and subscribed and shared both links to my FB groups a couple days ago.
Robert, thank you for your takes on the situation in Ukraine. May Putin find a peaceful path to disengage from this brutal attack. On a happier note, I listened to your podcast with Maxime Thorne and his work with Civic Influencers. It was fantastic! I am so inspired by what he's doing and am going to try to find a few friends to 'adopt an influencer' with his group. Thank you so much for hosting these wonderful podcasts.
Spot on summary of what’s going on and how many of us have justifiable feelings from underneath our desks as children. Thank you Robert for your hard work.
The world has united against Putin. I think it is a misnomer to believe that we have turned against Russia and its people. Many thousands of Russians at great risk to themselves have demonstrated in streets of Russia in support of Ukraine. Putin has turned many more Russians against him as he has caused great harm to Russia, while rockets and troops attack the Ukrainian People.
Many residents in Ukraine are using purpose-built bunkers or commercial basements as bomb shelters. About 5,000 such shelters have been identified in the capital Kyiv. Subway stations in Kyiv and Kharkiv are being used to shelter huge groups of people. Some are sheltered in purpose-built bunkers, others in basements and large groups have gathered in underground railway stations.
Many metro stations are full of families and children, who have brought along everything from sleeping bags and blankets, to crossword puzzles and dogs.
"It just happened. We were not preparing to flee," one sheltering resident said.
Kyiv is home to the deepest train station in the world, Arsenalna Metro Station, while people are also sheltering in subways in cities such as Kharkiv, near Ukraine's north-eastern border with Russia.
With the threat of invasion looming for weeks, residents of the capital had time to reacquaint themselves with the thousands of shelters scattered around the city. Some were built during the Cold War and, while they may look antiquated, officials have been working to upgrade them since 2014, the year Russia annexed Crimea.
"We have been working on putting the protective structures in place for eight years," the Director of Municipal Security, Roman Tkachuk, told the ABC last week.
"We are ready for the fact that war can come to us."
The Kyiv City Council published a regularly updated map of bunkers, shelters and basements that could be used to hide out.
And, while some locations are doubling as hiding places, others are being used to prepare for a fight. A school in Lviv has repurposed its basement to serve as a gun range for students.
Among the targets was a printed picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some students have already been doing firearms training for years.
"I believe every man should know how to shoot and defend his homeland," a 15-year-old student said at the range.
“We’ve lived eight years of unending war,” a woman who runs a blood bank in eastern Ukraine told The Times. “There’s nowhere to run. All Ukraine is exploding.” (AP, NYTimes, ABCNews)
We wish to have fortitude, unity and absolute determination of the Ukrainians, while they fight for Democracy. ероям слава!, (Glory to the Heroes)
For Robert's pithy points about Putin's War on Ukraine, a British journalist did an expose on Russian elitist oligarch's investments in Great Britain that connect dots between Putin, Trump, and GOP:
https://twitter.com/carolecadwalla/status/1497602436298461184?s=20&t=N4ymv8x6DKC4qx-hdJgv-w
https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/1497193505801781248?s=20&t=N4ymv8x6DKC4qx-hdJgv-w
In the midst of such heaviness, enjoy these witty take downs:
https://twitter.com/olex_scherba/status/1497975994015227907?s=20&t=N4ymv8x6DKC4qx-hdJgv-w
https://twitter.com/RadioFreeTom/status/1498016340728332292?s=20&t=N4ymv8x6DKC4qx-hdJgv-w
Tonight NBC interviewed a bartender in Texas (shouldn't judge, but he sounded like a trumper) who was proudly and loudly pouring out his Russian vodka and replacing it with Ukrainian vodka. And there, too, has Putin succeeded in uniting Americans, as I assume fellow progressives would link arms with Mr. Texas Bartender in this show of support for Ukraine!
I too remember the fear that blanketed the US during the Cuban missile crisis - even us little kids. It was terrifying to imagine that all life could end in one miscalculation. We were glued to the TV.
My parents were Republicans - the "I like Ike" type. They had both served with him in the war. But despite their political affiliation, they never said anything that was unsupportive of OUR President Kennedy. They didn't personally care for the Kennedy's and their rich lifestyle turned them off. But they respected him as a defender of democracy. He too, had risked his life in fighting fascism. There was a sense of a national bond. United as Americans.
A footnote:
My parent's best friends were ardent Democrats - they all loved each other and saw political and religious differences as normal. We drove a Ford, they drove a Chevy. English and Irish. My Dad would have reached into a burning Chevy to pull his Irish friend out. And vice versa.
If there are any doubts about the present military outcome in Ukraine, the 2015 documentary ‘The Winter of Fire’ provides clarity.It covers the bloody take-back of their Country from the Putin installed puppet President Yankovych between 2013 and 2014.
This is Putin’s Revenge War and quite unlikely to end well for him.
If there is one glimmer of good news, it’s that republicans are now between a rock and a hard place. If they continue to tout ignorant support of anything Putin, including Trump, they will be up against an increasing split with other republicans. (Even Trump has recently modified his stance on Ukraine I do believe but I hope not.) And really, it’s the independent voter that gets to choose which side wins. Don’t kid yourself otherwise. I liken myself to be independent but my safe harbors are usually on left-leaning issues. I just get frustrated with progressive agenda (that I don’t often totally disagree with) which often creates a losing proposition for democrats. And I prefer to be on the winning side.
Back to the war effort, the best outcome would be a junta takeover of the Russian government with disposes Putin and ends the invasion.
I worry about how Putin can withdraw from Ukraine without losing face. Since his ego is the single, biggest driver of his invasion, I don't see any easy way out for him. "Oopsie" isn't really going to work. It's horrible to think of having to coddle such a monstrous ego (much the same way Trump's minions have to coddle his monstrous ego), but that's what most likely has to be done. This morning Ukraine is sending a delegation to meet with a Russian delegation to discuss...what? Russia invaded a sovereign country. The only discussion should be which roads the Russian troops should take to go back home.
Why is it not clear that we are so much better off in this mess with Biden than if we switch teams? I am baffled. Is it just that things are scary and more expensive? Is there no big picture. If we had the Putin Promoters in charge, this would be a full blown unstoppable invasion.
It is now time to start clearly calling out Putin's invasion of Ukraine what it truly is - a War Crime and Genocide. Yesterday, Ukraine referred the case to the International Court of Justice. I hope that the U.S., the EU, and every other member of the UN will join in this filing. What is happening in Ukraine is clearly a War Crime and must be recognized as such and Putin himself held responsible for it.
Wounded Pride=Global destruction. That is a brilliant call, Robert! Thank you for quoting Romney’s description of Putin as “feral-eyed,” which seems spot-on. Your Monday newsletter today seems to me both inspiring and prescient. We are indeed lucky to have Biden as President. I simply do not understand the Press’s antipathy, but I imagine it has something to do with upper management and owners. Thank you as always for your leadership.
Awesome newsletter ! Friedman’s essay is a must-read.
I also have memories of stocking the pantry and the Duck and Cover drills.
We have decided to do our hurricane prep early this year. Plenty of cash on hand, generator propane tanks filled, bottled water ,canned goods …just in case Hurricane Putin causes any disruptions.
💙💛
The sanctions are to be applauded. And I'm still looking for Russian oligarchs to be forced to sell their ownership of professional sports teams. Perhaps the most visible is Putin ally Roman Abramovich who owns the Chelsea football team. And there are others. That will really make them howl.
As the world unites around Ukraine and imposes sanctions and other measures to stop the attack on the Ukrainian people I was thinking if the same outrage and cooperation and coordinated effort of people coming together could be directed toward Trump and the Putin and Russian allied Republicans to send the same message “ we won’t tolerate or accept this behavior. “. What is missing is the outrage from the American people. What will it take?
In regards to the references to the NPR article and Kyiv Independent newspaper, I donated and subscribed and shared both links to my FB groups a couple days ago.
Robert, thank you for your takes on the situation in Ukraine. May Putin find a peaceful path to disengage from this brutal attack. On a happier note, I listened to your podcast with Maxime Thorne and his work with Civic Influencers. It was fantastic! I am so inspired by what he's doing and am going to try to find a few friends to 'adopt an influencer' with his group. Thank you so much for hosting these wonderful podcasts.
Spot on summary of what’s going on and how many of us have justifiable feelings from underneath our desks as children. Thank you Robert for your hard work.
Great letter! FWIW, I'm having trouble connecting to links (including Share) from the email...