As early as 2019, a video with a shaking of the stomach went viral. It showed four Russian-speaking men in military attire surrounding a man lying on the ground.

They broke his legs with a hammer and then crushed his chest before cutting off his arms, head, and finally setting his body on fire. The man was Hamadi Bhutto, a Syrian army deserter.

His tormentors were employees of the infamous Wagner Group, a private military company (PMC) – mercenaries. The same mercenaries who are now allegedly tasked with assassinating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Green.

The Wagner group filmed this brutal attack in 2017 Syriaincluding the consequences of kicking the man’s head like a soccer ball.

Last December, the EU sanctioned the group and three companies and seven individuals associated with it for what it called “serious human rights violations in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Mozambique”.

But now it is reported that the death squads from Wagner’s group are returning to Ukraine. And Zelenski is said to be number one on their murder list, while his family is number two.

There are reportedly 23 other targets, including cabinet members and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, along with his brother Vladimir, who, like Zelensky, are leading figures in the fight against Russia. I have no doubt about the veracity of these reports.

Wagner is a vicious group of thugs who act with impunity. They are not, in fact, the PMC, but the shadowy, sinister hand of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service.

They are carrying out Vladimir Putin’s orders, carrying out dark deeds in which he denies involvement.

Wagner Group, a private military company (PMC) that is now said to be tasked with assassinating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Evgeny Prigogine, left, serves food to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during a dinner at Prigogine’s restaurant near Moscow in 2011.

As a Russian security expert, I learned about Wagner soon after he first appeared in 2014 in the Donbass region of Ukraine, which Russia was then trying to destabilize.

Instead of sending regular forces, the Kremlin wanted mercenaries whose actions they could deny.

At the time, numbering only a few hundred veterans of Russian forces, they were ordered to kill separatist leaders who were pro-Russian but disobeyed the Kremlin’s orders. Ukrainians are blamed for the killings.

Founder and leader of Wagner is Dmitry Utkin, a sinister, shaved head, former lieutenant colonel of the Special Forces – Russian special forces. He named it after the Special Forces code name.

Hitler’s favorite composer was the perfect nickname for Utkin because, as one Russian newspaper put it, he “appreciates the aesthetics of the Third Reich” – that is, he is a neo-Nazi. Utkin was sanctioned by the EU for ordering Bhutto’s assassination.

Wagner acted in Syria in 2015, where the Russians wanted to strengthen the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Knowing that sending troops would be unpopular with the Russian people, Putin ordered Wagner to help crush Syrian rebels.

The mercenaries are illegal under Russian law, so Putin denies using them – unbelievable, as Wagner uses a training camp for the Russian military’s special forces. Putin even awarded Utkin a medal.

But his men acted according to their own program in Syria, and in the end the Russian Ministry of Defense, considering them dangerous cowboys, refused to pay them. Putin then turned to Eugene Prigogine, a thug oligarch with a criminal past, to rule Wagner.

The Russian dictator turned to Prigogine when he wanted to do something dirty, such as run the computer “troll farms” that interrupted the US election in 2016, flooding the Internet with misinformation.

Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigogine, dubbed “Putin’s cook”, is called upon whenever Putin wants to do something dirty, writes Professor Mark Galeotti

Vladimir Putin poses with four alleged Wagner officers serving in the Kremlin – who denies any involvement in Russian mercenary groups

In return, Putin gave Prigogine lucrative contracts, including a catering contract for the Russian military, hence his nickname “Putin’s Chef.”

With President Wagner’s support, it expanded to about 4,000 to 5,000 operatives and began to be stationed in Africa, where they were involved in horrific atrocities – indiscriminate shooting of civilians sheltered in a mosque, executions, torture of civilians and humanitarian attacks. organizations.

In 2018, three Russian journalists reporting on Wagner’s activities in the Central African Republic were ambushed and shot dead in cold blood – a specialty of Wagner.

Another Russian journalist investigating the group “fell” to his death from his fifth-floor apartment.

Many of Wagner’s recruits have been released for disciplinary reasons who will not hesitate to burn villages, terrorize civilians or kill women and children, as they did recently in Mozambique.

About two months ago, about 500 Wagner operatives left their various posts in Africa “on leave” and headed to Ukraine to undertake operations under a “false flag”, such as committing atrocities while wearing stolen Ukrainian uniforms, after which is blamed on Ukrainian forces.

They are also there to assassinate Ukrainian leaders. Utkin himself is reported to be there, commanding the killing squads.

It will be difficult for Zelenski to remain both visible to his people and hidden from his enemies.

The Kremlin will supply Wagner with state-of-the-art military equipment, including tracking devices. They may also have informants to warn them of his whereabouts.

They could use a bomb to blow up his vehicle, and then the death squad will come out of hiding to put a bullet in everyone’s head to make sure everyone is dead. Or Zelensky can be shot with a precision long-range sniper rifle.

But Putin will not want Zelensky to become a martyr. You’d better grab him back in Russia and use him as a bargaining chip or torture him until he admits he’s a “Western pawn.”

Whoever captures Zelenski will be richly rewarded. It may not even be Wagner. Groups of brutal Chechen fighters have also been deployed in Ukraine to pursue him.

We must pray that Zelenski continues to avoid these men and the terrible fate they are planning for him.

• Mark Galeotti is an honorary professor at the University College London School of Slavic and Eastern European Studies and author of We Need to Talk About Putin.

WASHINGTON — Officials have stepped up security around the Capitol to levels not seen in the months leading up to President Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday as lawmakers prepare for planned columns of trucker protesters arriving in Washington.

The pro-Trump mafia violence a year ago is still fresh in the minds of many lawmakers. faced with an influx of threats, officials erected a fence around the perimeter of the Capitol, sent in National Guard troops, and deployed military equipment and police vehicles at strategic points on the streets near Congress. US Capitol Police said they would close 18 different stretches of Washington highways to motorists.

“We are ready to take immediate law enforcement action for violations of our local and federal laws if necessary,” said Robert J. Conti III, chief of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, at a news conference Monday, accompanied by Mayor Muriel Bowser. and federal law enforcement officials. He promised to increase the staff and “strengthen” security throughout the city.

The security fence was erected last January after a mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol, but it was removed in July to allow public access to the complex. In September, he was briefly reinstated in preparation for a right-wing rally in support of those arrested in connection with the January 6 attack.

A convoy of truckers heading to Washington to protest the ban on vaccination raised the alarm again.

A Department of Homeland Security intelligence bulletin obtained by The New York Times said the caravans “are likely to create public safety problems for first responders if convoys are significant” and warned that some local extremists “are likely to be drawn into this event.” and may engage in deliberate or opportunistic violence.”

At a press conference on Tuesday, Sean Gallagher, the Capitol’s acting assistant police chief, said the perimeter fencing was temporary and was installed out of “too much caution.” He suggested that shortly after Mr. Biden’s speech, he would be removed if there were no security issues.

The State of the Union always attracts increased security, given that it brings members of all three branches of government — the president and his cabinet, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and Supreme Court justices — together in the same room. But the security forces said that this year they were on a special high alert regime.

Despite the organizer’s warnings that “tens of thousands” of truck drivers will converge It was unclear at the country’s Capitol, officials said, if convoys of truckers protesting Covid-19 mandates were actually materializing and when they might arrive.

“Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know,” Chief Conti said of when protesters might arrive, adding: “While we expect the best, we always plan for the worst. So we have resources that are deployed – largely coordinating with all of our federal partners here – to make sure we have a secure State of the Union and a peaceful First Amendment assembly any day it comes along.”

Capitol Riot Aftermath: Key Events

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First court. Guy Wesley Reffit, who is accused of obstructing the work of Congress on January 6, should become first defendant to stand trial in a case involving a riot in the Capitol. The trial, which begins on February 28, will set the tone for dozens of other cases.

The National Guard, which sent thousands of troops to the Capitol last year between January 6 and May, has moved troops into the city again in recent days.

The Department of Defense authorized the deployment of about 400 unarmed D.C. National Guard troops and 50 large tactical vehicles at designated road posts for 24 hours before Mr. Biden’s speech. The department also authorized up to 300 members of the National Guard from outside Washington to provide assistance at designated road posts and select entry points to the Capitol. The Philadelphia Police also provided personnel to provide security.

Despite heightened security measures, the House of Representatives chamber will offer Biden a more normal background than last year’s speech, which was given under severe pandemic restrictions. Citing the decline in coronavirus cases in Washington, D.C., Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Capitol’s attending physician.said masks would no longer be required in the House of Representatives, making the practice optional regardless of vaccination status for the first time in more than a year.

There are still some restrictions: there will be virtual guests rather than face-to-face meetings because the House’s floor-view gallery will be used to house lawmakers and ensure their social distancing, according to a memo issued by William J. Walker, House Sergeant. – in service, and there will be health checks for coronavirus. Lawmakers, employees and journalists will also be required to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken the day before the event.

And instead of turning the Statuary Hall into a frenzy of lights and cameras ready to catch the reaction to the speech, these cameras will be installed in office buildings and elsewhere in the Capitol to catch lawmakers eager to appreciate the president’s remarks.

John Ismay contributed reporting.

First lady Jill Biden accidentally introduced vice president Kamala Harris as “President of the United States” at a Black History Month event in the White House Monday.

The first lady gave an amazing speech in a speech in which she hailed Harris as “Joe’s partner” and mentioned her role as the first black vice president.

– Ladies and gentlemen, the President of… Vice President of the United StatesSaid the first lady, causing immediate laughter as she corrected herself. Among those spotted giggling was the president himself.

She also joked about her husband’s expenses when she praised DJ D-Nice, who was at the East Room event.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Vice President of the United States,” First Lady Jill Biden said as she introduced Vice President Kamala Harris to a White House event as part of Black History Month.

She attributed to him and his club quarantine that they brought us “so much joy during the dark moments” of the pandemic.

“Before we left, Kamala and Doug told us how many times they had been to their apartment and danced together at a party. I can’t say the same about Joe – a party for one, “she said, earning a laugh from a room full of dignitaries.

The president referred to the joke in his own notes.

“My name is Joe Biden, I’m Jill Biden’s husband, and you probably know I can’t dance,” he joked.

The first lady celebrated a “history as beautiful and diverse as our nation” at a full-fledged event that gave the White House a sense of pre-pandemic celebration just on a day when restrictions on White House masks must be lifted.

It was the first personal event of the month in black history and was attended by Rev. Jesse Jackson, MSNBC host Rev. Al Sharpton and members of the Black Caucasus Congress, including Representative James C. Clayburn (DS.C.), “Member of the detachment rep. Ilhan Omar et al.

The first lady wore a mask with yellow sunflowers, the flower of Ukraine, in a statement of solidarity.

Harris praised Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was nominated for Biden’s Supreme Court, as a man who would do “phenomenal justice.”

“Elections matter. And when people vote, they order what they want. And in this case, they got what they wanted, “she said to applause. “I deviated a little from the script,” she added.

President Biden pointed to the political strength of the civil rights community, adding: “I understand, as they say, who brought me to the dance.” He mentioned the overthrow of the Supreme Court’s preferred choice of Representative James Clayburn

epa09792574 US Vice President Kamala Harris (left) shows a gesture to US President Joe Biden (front R), with Kateo Hilton (front C), a student and junior mentor at the Life Pieces to Masterpieces program in Washington, D.C., acting Director Shalanda Young C) from the Office of Management and Budget and Administrator Michael Regan (Rear R) from the Environmental Protection Agency; during a celebration of Black History Month in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2022.

Many officials went to congratulate Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was being treated for Parkinson’s disease.

Squad member Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) Was there

Vice President Kamala Harris talks about Ukraine’s crisis, calls for voting rights legislation at Black History Month event

US President Joe Biden addresses Kateo Hilton, a student and junior mentor of the Life Pieces to Masterpieces program, at an event to mark Black History Month in the East Room of the White House on February 28, 2022 in Washington, DC

The president was the first to step down to applaud the representative, Kateo Hilton, a student and junior mentor at Delaware State University, a historic black college in Biden’s home state.

He said there were “several high-ranking African Americans” in his administration – including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was on hand with other cabinet members and advisers.

He pointed to the political strength of the civil rights community, adding: “I understand, as they say, who brought me to the dance.”

He also acknowledged Clayburn, even after failing to choose his preferred choice for the Supreme Court – although he noted that he nominated her to the US Court of Appeals for DC Circuit.

Biden called Judge Jackson an “amazing woman.”

“I can tell you Jim – Jim supported all the nominees. But the one he supported the most … I have already nominated her to be in the District Court of Appeal, the second highest court in the country, “to applause at the reference to District Court Judge Michelle Childs, who Clayburn publicly supported.

“Black history is American history,” Biden said. “Black culture is American culture,” Biden said in a speech.

WASHINGTON. Republicans on Monday blocked the Senate from passing a sweeping abortion rights bill as Democrats tried to put lawmakers on the protocol on the issue ahead of the midterm elections and the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on access to abortion.

Democrats fell 14 of the 60 votes needed to pass the Women’s Health Act after the House of Representatives passed it in a narrow partisan vote last September. One Democrat, Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, joined all Republicans in opposing the start of a debate on the measure.

Lawmakers said the Senate voted for the first time in a separate bill to enact constitutional protection for Roe v. Wade. The result was expected, but Democrats were determined to get the ballot going as members of both parties draw the front line over what is expected to be a major election year issue. Later this year, the Conservative-dominated Supreme Court will rule in a case that could undermine or overturn the historic decision on abortion.

“We want Americans to know their legislators’ position on this important issue,” said Senator Patty Murray of Washington, a third Democrat and a leading supporter of the abortion rights bill.

The measure would enshrine in federal law abortion rights, long protected by a 1973 court decision. It has been pursued by Democrats and abortion rights groups as a way of countering increasingly tight statewide abortion restrictions, as well as the prospect of a Supreme Court decision upholding new tough abortion restrictions in Mississippi and upholding a Texas law that has severely limited abortions in this condition.

“People are counting on the Senate to do things that the Supreme Court won’t,” said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

About two dozen states have drafted legislation that would immediately curb abortion rights if a court upholds a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, about two months sooner than Rowe and subsequent rulings allow.

During a Supreme Court debate in December, conservative judges expressed their willingness to cut, if not eliminate, federal protection against abortion and leave much of the regulation up to individual states. Democrats say the measure is necessary to ensure women across the country have equal access to abortion and to prevent states from imposing restrictions that are not medically necessary as a way to unconstitutionally restrict abortion.

Senator Chuck Schumer, New York Democrat and Majority Leader, decided to vote for the Democratic bill over Republican opposition in the Senate, calling it a “dark, dark time” for abortion rights in the United States.

“Abortion has never been so dangerous in America,” he said.

Opponents of abortion rights say the proposed legislation, which President Biden said he would sign if it hit his desk, goes far beyond Rowe’s decision to allow late-term abortions and lift government restrictions on abortions that are widely used. public support. .

“The misnamed Women’s Health Act is the most sweeping abortion bill in the history of the United States,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life. “It would enshrine federal law on on-demand pre-birth abortions and repeal state laws – new and existing – that protect unborn children and their mothers.”

Senator Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican and minority leader, criticized Democrats for holding a “show vote” on the Senate floor when more pressing issues, such as the conflict in Ukraine, needed to be addressed. He predicted the maneuver would backfire on Democrats, noting that opinion polls show a majority of Americans are in favor of some sort of restriction on abortion, especially late-term abortion.

The state of abortion in the US

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Who performs abortions in America? The portrait of abortion has changed with society. Teenagers today have far fewer abortions. typical patient most likely, she is already a mother, poor, unmarried, she is about 20 years old, she has some higher education and is pregnant at a very early date.

Abortion pills. Medical abortion is becoming an increasingly affordable and preferred method of terminating a pregnancy. More than half of abortions in the US are currently conducted with abortion pills, and the Food and Drug Administration has said it will permanently allow patients get them in the mail.

“Once again, our colleagues want to demonstrate that today’s Democratic Party is ruled by a far-left radical,” Mr. McConnell said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. “I want to thank the Senate Majority Leader for making clear what his party’s priorities are.”

Both sides are bracing for abortion rights to be a major issue in the November election, especially if the Supreme Court decision in May or June is seen as eviscerating Roe. While abortion has traditionally been seen as an issue that is a stronger motivator for conservatives, Democrats say a court decision to repeal Row and extend new restrictions on abortion across the country could rally women voters and turn the issue in their favor.

Democrats made no attempt to hide the fact that Monday’s vote was aimed at putting Republicans on the ticket.

“Make no mistake,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat and the bill’s lead author, “reproductive freedom will be up for a vote in November.”

A Virginia a woman who found a secret room in her home full of hundreds of old love letters from previous owners has now reunited them with the recipient’s family.

Anna Prilaman, 40, of Henrico County, was stunned when she found a hidden door to a blocked section of the attic while recently doing spring cleaning.

Inside, she came across hundreds of manuscripts addressed to a woman named Betty Sue McGee – some written by a man named Vance Herschel Long, who professes his love for Betty in them.

Excited by the couple’s fascinating love story, Anna was determined to find Betty and Vance – or their descendants – and she set out on a mission.

A Virginia woman who found a secret room in her home full of hundreds of old love letters from previous owners has now reunited them with the recipient’s family.

Anna Prilaman was stunned when she found a hidden door to a blocked section of the ceiling while she was doing a little cleaning recently. Part of the contents of the room is in the photo

Inside, she came across hundreds of manuscripts addressed to a woman named Betty Sue McGee.

Some of them were written by a man named Vance Herschel Long, who professes his love for Betty. Betty and Vance are in the picture together

Eventually, with the help of social media, she was able to contact their grandson and now send him the letters.

A look at Vance’s love letters to Betty

In one of the letters, Vance wrote: “Hello, darling. How is my baby understood?

“When we’re not together, I know the exact words I would use to tell you everything.

“But when we’re together, all I can think of is ‘I love you.’

According to Anna, she hoped to find a “treasure” in the hidden room, but instead found something very special.

“I understand there is a door.” This is not a door that had a key or anything, it was just locked from above, “she recalled to local news. WTVR.

“I’m a baby in the ’80s, so I watched Goonies. As I rummage through the ceiling, I think there may be treasure here, there may be a map, there may be gold coins.

In one of the letters, Vance wrote: “Hello, darling. How is my baby understood? When we are not together, I know the exact words I would use to tell you everything. But when we’re together, all I can think of is “I love you.”

Although Anna admitted that she found it a little “intrusive” to read the letters, which are more than 70 years old, she said she was left to want to know more.

“It really only raises a lot of questions out of curiosity about their love story. Because it sounds good, “she said.

Anna, who was thrilled by the couple’s fascinating love story, was determined to find Betty and Vance (pictured) – or their descendants – and she set out on a mission.

Eventually, with the help of social media, she was able to contact their grandson Dalton Long (pictured) and now send him the letters

Although Anna admitted that she was “intrusive” to read the letters, which are more than 70 years old, she said they left her eager to learn more. Pictured are Betty and Vance

In one of the letters, Vance wrote: “When we are not together, I know the exact words I would use to tell you everything. But when we’re together, all I can think of is “I love you.”

“I think the reason I feel intrusive is that the letter was written only between two people and two people.

Anna (pictured with the letters) went on Facebook to try to find the rightful owners, posting to local community groups and everyone in town getting involved in the story.

“I thought I wasn’t sure I had to be the third party to put my head and eyes on it because it wasn’t meant for me to read.

“But when I looked at those, it became clear.” [they] I had to be in the right hands and I had to figure out how to find it.

She went on Facebook to try to find the rightful owners by posting to local community groups and everyone in town was invested in the story.

“People love history. Wherever I go in the city, people stop me like, “Hey, you wrote this post about the letters, have you found the family yet?” She said.

“I think a lot of people put on Sherlock Holmes hats and got to work.”

After much detective work, Anna came across a man named Dalton, who turned out to be the grandson of Betty and Vance. He is depicted with Betty and Vance as a child

She turned to him and he revealed that Betty and Vance (pictured) – who were lovers from high school – eventually got married and were together for 50 years.

Now Dalton said he was excited to read the letters and “connect on a human level” with people who are “no longer here with us.” Betty and Vance are in the picture

After much detective work, Anna came across a man named Dalton Long, who turned out to be the grandson of Betty and Vance. But unfortunately he lived thousands of miles in Portland, Oregon.

She contacted him via Facebook and he responded quickly and said he would be “happy” to receive the letters.

He revealed that Betty and Vance – who were lovers in high school – eventually got married and were together for 50 years, until they both unfortunately died.

He is now excited to read the letters and “connect on a human level” with people who are “no longer here with us.”

“Adding words to this time in their lives will be amazing. I think it’s so beautiful to connect on a human level with people who are no longer here with us, you know? said Dalton, who grew up in the house Anna now owns.

He added that “adding words to this time in their lives” would be “amazing” that he was so grateful that Anna helped unite him with a small piece of his past.

Anna explained that if she found long-lost love letters from her own grandparents, she would not be able to hold back her tears. “I hope this family is able to do it,” she added

According to Anna, she hoped to find a “treasure” in the hidden room, but instead she found something very special.

“She managed to find something and find the other end. And I think it’s not only exciting for me, but I hope it’s exciting for her to be able to unite me with a little bit of my past.

Anna explained that if she found long-lost love letters from her own grandparents, she would not be able to hold back her tears.

“I know that if I found letters from my grandparents from my mother or father, I would sit there in a pool of tears, reading them and appreciating them. I hope this family will be able to do it, “she added.

“It’s interesting that this story has reached people who are interested in it. So everyone has that in them. Human connection matters. The past matters.

Dalton’s mother recently picked up the letter box and now plans to send it to Dalton soon.

Mr. Biden will urge Congress to pass legislation, passed by the House of Representatives in December, to increase FMC oversight of the shipping industry.

The President will speak without a mask on Tuesday, the same day that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials will lift many Covid restrictions on communities across the country where cases, hospitalizations and deaths have plummeted.

Officials announced mask requirements for vaccinated White House staff and visitors will be deleted from tuesdaya move that would allow Mr. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to host their guests from the Union at a reception that evening, which was not allowed under previous rules.

Mr. Biden has fought the pandemic — and its impact on American work and life — since taking office, largely by vaccinating nearly three-quarters of the population. As the impact of the Omicron option wanes, administration officials hope to move into a new phase of the pandemic, with the virus playing a lesser role in daily life.

As the White House works on a detailed coronavirus response strategy for the next phase of the pandemic, Mr. Biden is unlikely to release it during his speech. Instead, he is expected to speak about the coronavirus pandemic in general terms, referring to the same “things are getting better, but we’re not out of the woods yet” tone he’s used in recent weeks.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the president’s remarks, said Mr Biden would “emphasize that the country has made tremendous progress” over the past 13 months and remind Americans that the nation has the tools, including vaccines and treatments. – to prevent serious illnesses and treat those who fall ill.

Mr. Biden was criticized for prematurely declaring “independence” from the virus last summer, but later that year he saw a new wave of infection and death from the Delta variant. White House officials fear a repeat of that mistake.

As cases decline and the immediate threat wanes, Mr. Biden will also note that the virus is unpredictable and reassure the nation that his administration is taking steps to prepare for future options.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Ana Swanson and Kathy Rogers contributed reporting.

Hundreds of Australians plan to travel to Europe to fight Russian invaders following call from Ukrainian president

• Australians called a Ukrainian diplomat in Sydney to take part in the war
• Ukraine’s consul in Sydney said the embassy sent about 20 such calls on Monday
• The previous day, the Ukrainian president called on “citizens of the world” to join the fight
• Foreign Minister Maris Payne warned that this could be a crime

from Charlie Coe for the Daily Mail, Australia and Marion Ray for the Australian Associated Press

Published: 22:53 GMT, 28 February 2022 | Updated: 23:36 GMT 28 February 2022

Dozens of Australians have promised to travel to Kyiv to help the country fight the unprovoked Russian invasion, Ukrainian authorities have revealed.

Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney Yaroslav Duma said the embassy sent him about 20 calls Monday from those who want to go and fight the Russians.

Proposals for support came just a day after Ukrainian President Vladimir Green called on all “citizens of the world” to get involved in the fight against the “Russian offensive”.

“They tell me, ‘We want to go and fight these terrorists. “We understand that Ukraine is a sovereign nation, that’s just wrong,” Mr Duma told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’m grateful for the support, but I can’t turn around and say ‘yes, you have to do this.’

Pro-Ukrainian protesters are urging Russians to take action against their government during a rally in Sydney on Saturday. Dozens of Australians call the Ukrainian embassy this week, offering to help fight Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the Eastern European nation

“If they really insist, I just say call the embassy.”

The diplomat said others had called him to ask if they could travel to Ukraine to offer humanitarian aid.

Foreign Minister Maris Payne warned on Monday that Australians traveling to Ukraine to fight a non-governmental armed group could commit a crime.

“It is very important that people who are eager to do so are aware of the provisions of Australian law that may apply to their work,” she said.

“Honestly, I would strongly encourage them to follow travel advice, which is not to travel.”

However, many Australians are benefiting from online solidarity for the affected nation.

Armed Ukrainian guards are seen on the streets of Kyiv on Monday morning. Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney Yaroslav Duma said that the embassy sent him about 20 calls on Monday from those who want to go and fight the Russians

Whether you share heart memes or join the call for “weapons” by hacking collective Anonymous, not everything is in boots on the ground.

Known as “tactical nonsense”, short videos are made by Ukrainian soldiers and others and are shared around the world by keyboard fighters.

Twitter user Peedu Tuisk, based in the Estonian cyber center of Tallinn, shared the selected words of a Ukrainian soldier with English subtitles, which explicitly explained that this was Russia’s last chance to surrender.

Some unverified publications also say they came across unfortunate Russian soldiers who thought they were in training but would be shot as deserters if they tried to return home.

One meme, Geography 101, shows a map with clearly marked Russia and its neighbors Ukraine and Crimea as “not Russia”, Romania “looks like Russia?” Poland as “this is not Russia”, others as “no”, “no” , “Not yet”, and the proud Baltic states “also not Russia”.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Sunday called on all “citizens of the world” to join the fight against the “Russian attack”

Some publications show how Ukrainian soldiers rescued a frozen puppy, which later stood guard at their post and was named Rambo.

Russia also spreads its own information or misinformation.

“Russian propaganda has gone off the rails and speculates that Ukraine may be preparing to drop a ‘dirty bomb’ on Russian territory,” tweeted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

“It’s a sick forgery,” he said.

“Ukraine has no nuclear weapons, no work on their creation / acquisition.”

SBS quickly cut off NTV Moscow and Russia Today newsletters in response to community feedback from the Australian Russian-speaking community on misinformation.so

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He has also held non-profit positions; at one point he was Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of California.

With the Dalai Lama among his influential friends, Mr. Blum became interested in South Asia as a home of Buddhist philosophy, a recipient of charitable aid, and a place of adventure: he once led an expedition to part of Mount Everest.

In a message of condolence, Mr. Biden called Mr. Blum “a successful businessman and a proud son of California who has dedicated much of his public life to fighting poverty around the world” via creation of the American Himalayan Foundationa non-profit group that builds schools and hospitals in Tibet; and the UC Berkeley Bloom Center for Emerging Economies, which is dedicated to innovative solutions to global poverty.

Richard Charles Blume was born July 31, 1935 in San Francisco to Louise Hirsch and Herbert Blume, robe and raincoat merchants who died in Richard’s childhood. Richard graduated from Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree and an MBA.

He joined Sutro & Company, a San Francisco brokerage firm, at 23 and became a partner before he was 30, by which time he was already a millionaire.

In addition to Ms. Feinstein, Mr. Blum is survived by a brother, Robert; his daughters Annette, Heidi and Eileen; his stepdaughter Katherine; and seven grandchildren.

During Ms. Feinstein’s race for governor of California in 1990, Mr. Blum described in The New York Times what he called a “political triathlon”.

“No. 1,” he said, “we regularly see in the papers everything that she has ever done and what I have ever done in a distorted way. No. 2, we can share our tax returns for 17 years on an intimate basis with 30 million people. And third, I’m paying to watch it all happen.”

Sean Hubler and Kitty Bennett provided reporting.