It Is War

For John, BLUF:  I was wrong.  President Putin has stumbled into war.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

Russia's Putin announces military operation in Ukraine

From The Associated Press, 23 February 2022.

Here is the lede plus six:

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it's intended to protect civilians.

In a televised address, Putin said the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine.  He added that Russia doesn't have a goal to occupy Ukraine. Putin said the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian "regime."

Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to "consequences they have never seen."

He accused the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia's demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.

He said the Russian military operation aims to ensure a "demilitarization" of Ukraine.  Putin said that all Ukrainian servicemen who lay down arms will be able to safely leave the zone of combat.

There was no immediate reaction from the White House to Putin's remarks, but U.S. officials have repeatedly pledged to place overwhelming sanctions on the Russian economy and Putin allies in retaliation for a further invasion of Ukraine.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.

This is looking, so far, like the Coalition air attack on Baghdad as a prelude to the ground attack into Iraq in 1991.

I believe President Putin has stumbled here, but suffering will be widespread.

No, I do not believe this is the fullfilment of the promises in the Book of Revelation.  But, I have been wrong before, but not on tht scale.

Regards  —  Cliff