Thomas van Linge Profile picture
Freelance journalist/researcher with a passion for the struggle for democracy, human rights & wildlife preservation. Reporting on wars, uprisings & conservation

Feb 12, 2022, 124 tweets

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: pro-separatist Telegram sources are reporting a loud as explosion in government-controlled territory of #Donetsk.

This source describes the development as "disturbing"

#Kyiv today.

Ukrainian and Belarusian flags being waved side-by-side as thousands rally to reject the #Kremlin's imperial ambitions in #Belarus and #Ukraine.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Russian Mil Mi-28 helicopters flying over #Belgorod (πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί), several several dozen km from the Ukrainian border.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: as Russian Buk missile systems moved into position close to the Ukrainian border, several airline insurers decide to no longer cover flight over the country, airlines like KLM cancel all flights.

In 2014 #MH17 was shot down by a Russian Buk, similar to this one.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: a American V-22 Osprey has been deployed to Rzeszow in eastern #Poland πŸ‡΅πŸ‡±, as the #US is deploying additional forces to eastern European #NATO countries.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Russian T-80U tanks rolling through the city of #Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: after the #US has informed @ZelenskyyUa the #Kremlin might invade this Wednesday (16/02), the president has announced that day to be a day of national unity.

He calls on Ukrainians to raise the Ukrainian flag that day and join together to sing the national anthem.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the Ukrainian armed forces uploaded a new video wishing everyone a happy #ValentinesDay.

And while they were at it, they also fired some javelin missiles.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: this footage reportedly shows Russian tanks being moved back off the line again.

Oi the #Kremlin was indeed planning to invade tomorrow, then the element of surprise was gone & it would make sense to hold off for the moment. Doesn't mean the invasion is off entirely

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: today the #Duma voted to approve an appeal to president #Putin, requesting him to recognize the separatist entities in #Donetsk and #Luhansk known as the #DNR & #LNR.

Same steps were taken to recognize #Abkhazia & #SouthOssetia, in the run-up to the #Georgia war.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: this morning (pro-)Russian forces in #Luhansk shelled the town of Stanytsia Luhanska, hitting a local kindergarten.

Miraculously no children were harmed in the attack.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: (pro-)Russian shells also landed in the village of Vrubivka (#Luhansk), smashing into the local schoolyard

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: shells coming from (pro-) Russian held territory also hit the town of Mariinka (#Donetsk) this morning.

One woman got injured in the attack.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: more shells hit Stanytsia Luhanska (#Luhansk) tonight.

This footage reportedly shows residents trying to put out a fire which took hold after the building was hit by mortar fire.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: separatist leader Dennis #Pushilin has announced the evacuation of civilians fron from the #Donbass into #Russia.

Pushilin claims a Ukrainian offensive is imminent, without providing any evidence. Journalists reporting from the front refute this statement.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: sirens are going off in separatist-held #Donetsk.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the leader of the separatist entity in #Luhansk has also announced an evacuation of civilians towards #Russia.

The separatists also call on all able-bodied men to report for duty and be ready to fight.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: people in #Donetsk are queuing at ATMs, hoping to withdraw their money before being forces to evacuate.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: queues are also forming at local gas stations in #Donetsk

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: long lines at the gas station in #Donetsk.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: meanwhile the buses have arrived to evacuate civilians from the separatist entities to #Russia.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: children are obviously panicking as the sound of the air sirens spread throughout the city.

The separatists authorities have closed down all schools.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: traffic at a border crossing between the #DNR and #Russia as civilians are not waiting for the buses to be evacuated. Thousands are leaving at their own initiative.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: children of this orphanage are among the first to be put on the bus out of #Donetsk into #Russia.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: orphans in #Donetsk are being put on the bus.

Please please please let them arrive safely in Russia without any incidents along the way.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the Commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces calls on people living in the separatist entities of the #Donbass to no believe the lies of the separatist authorities, stating they are being used to escalate the situation

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: a car exploded on the parking lot of a government building in #Donetsk.

No words on casualties.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: footage of the remains of the car that exploded just outside of a government administration building in #Donetsk.

Note that the pro-russian reporters are conveniently fast to arrive at tge scene and call the incident a "terror attack"

I am no car expert but the exploded vehicle appears to be a (military?) jeep of some sorts.

Explosion was clearly small if the front of the vehicle is still largely intact.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: civilians leaving #Donetsk on the separatist-organised buses.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: long lines of cars waiting at the #Donbass-#Russia border.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: another explosion has taken place in #Luhansk, cause is unknown

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: anti-aircraft fire over #Donetsk tonight.

No clue what they're firing at.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: sounds of shelling in NW #Donetsk tonight.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: explosions and the sound artillery fire can be recorded in the distance in #Luhansk tonight.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: a Ukrainian truck was destroyed earlier today by (pro-) Russian shelling along the frontline in #Luhansk

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Dennis Pushilin has officially requested #Putin to recognize the separatist entity in #Donetsk, a request he made live on Russian state-TV

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: while the #Kremlin talks heavy clahses are ongoing in Schastya, on the Ukrainian side of the frontline in #Luhansk.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: #Putin has informed #Macron and #Scholz he will recognize the separatist entities in #Donetsk & #Luhansk, known as the #DNR/#LNR

Keep in mind the separatists only control 1/3 of the territory they claim.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: in typical #Putin-fashion the president starts his address with a historical lecture

There it is: with the stroke of a pen, #Putin recognizes the separatists entities in eastern #Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦

I think we can expect to see a lot of Russian forces moving into separatists territories of #Donbass tonight.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: #Syria dictator Bashar al-#Assad has announced his willingness to recognize the separatist entities in #Donetsk & #Luhansk.

A good moment to re-post this picture.

#Georgia πŸ‡¬πŸ‡ͺ: small celebrations in #Tskhinvali in the separatist entity of #SouthOssetia following #Putin's speech regarding #Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: celebrations in #Donetsk tonight. A dozen people with πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί flags in a city of a million residents

Aaaand Putin apparently signed the recognition of DNR/LNR at 12:15, so probably even before is speech and his meeting with his security council

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: #Putin has ordered the deployment of Russian forces into the separatist territories in #Donbass.

The invasion has begun.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: according to #Donetsk-based Telegram channels this footage shows the first Russian forces moving into #Donbass.

Judging by the number of πŸ’© emojis under the posts, locals are not too excited about these intruders

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the Belarusian government-in-exile has called on the #Kremlin to withdraw its forces from #Belarus, and condemns the involvement of Belarusian territory in an invasion of Ukraine.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the president of #Moldova πŸ‡²πŸ‡© has also condemned the Russian incursion into Ukrainian territory

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the Ukrainian government has announced the deaths of two servicemen along the line of contact in #Donbass over the night.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: heavy smoke rises over Schastya (#Luhansk) after the local power station got hit by (pro-) Russian shelling.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: sounds of shelling can be heard in Schastya (#Luhansk). Black smoke can be seen from far away.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: #Putin just clearly stated on TV that the #Kremlin recognizes separatist sovereignty over the entirety of the #Donetsk and #Luhansk oblasts, making further aggression towards Ukrainian-held #Donbass basically inevitable.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: as #Putin declares he recognizes the separatists' claim over the entire #Donbass, people in #Mariupol rally to reject the notion of separatist rule over their city.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: CCTV footage of (pro-) Russian rockets hitting the village of Schastya, in Ukrainian-held #Luhansk territory.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: large protest in the #Donetsk city of #Kramatorsk tonight against the #Kremlin's invasion and separatist-rule over the region.

People sing the national anthem as they wave Ukrainian flag.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the city of #Kramatorsk (#Donetsk) tonight

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: photos ans videos have surfaced reportedly showing separatists in #Donetsk picking men of the streets to take them to recruiting centers.

Separatist authorities have called on all men to report for duty.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: the separatist entities in #Donetsk and #Luhansk have officially requested the #Kremlin for military support in pushing the Ukrainian armed forces out of #Donbass.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: in his latest address president @ZelenskyyUa appeals to Russian society, calling on the Russian people to do whatever they can to prevent war, one which seems to become more imminent by the hour.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Russian authorities have closed the airspace over the πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦/πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί border tonight.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: sounds of distant but intense shelling in #Donetsk tonight.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: sounds of shelling can be heard on the eastern side of #Mariupol.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: another video of shelling this very moment in #Mariupol. It sounds less intense but still very constant

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: latest footage from the front in #Donbass. Sounds of intensified shelling can be heard in the village of Talakivka, east of #Mariupol.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: #Putin is giving an emergency speech this very moment.

Not a single international outlet is broadcasting it, not even RT English

BREAKING: #Putin announces that he calls a "special military operation" in #Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦.

The invasion is a fact.

#UKRAINE πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: EXPLOSIONS CAN BE HEARD IN #KYIV.

LIVE ON CNN

!!!!!

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: photo reportedly taken in #Kharkiv tonight.

@clarissaward confirms hearing blasts in the city.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: unbelievable footage claiming to show a barrage of GRAD rockets being fired in the direction of #Mariupol.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: this video reportedly shows a missile being launched from Russian territory.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: sky lights up over #Mariupol as the city is being brutally shelled by Russian forces.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: footage of outgoing fire in #Belgorod (πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί), just across the border close to #Kharkiv.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: plumes of smoke in #Dnipro

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: people reportedly fleeing from #kyiv as explosions csn be heard all over the city.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: sounds of brutal explosions in #Odessa.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: another video reportedly taken in #Dnipro moments ago.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: big explosions in Svatove (#Luhansk), reportedly near a Ukrainian army warehouse.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: people in #Kharkiv are seeking shelter underground

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: massive blasts in the northern #Sumy region

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: plumes of smoke become visible over the skyline of #Kharkiv as the sun rises.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: large fire recorded in Nova Kachovka (#Kherson region), close to the frontline at #Crimea

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦:the sight in #Kharkiv this morning.

What a war of aggression looks like.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: long lines at the gas stations just outside of #Kyiv.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: CNN reports explosions are closing in on the city center of #Kyiv

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: long traffic lines in #Kharkiv as well, as ambulances speed into the opposite direction

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: footage from an hour ago shows the intensity of Russian shelling on #Kharkiv.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Russian missiles are flying over the heads of innocent Ukrainian civilians.

Welcome to 2022

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Ukrainian fighter jets defending the city of #Dnipro

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: multiple plumes of smoke visible over the town of Chuguev, east of #Kharkiv.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: air raid sirens going off in #Kyiv

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: air sirens going off over the Ukrainian capital of #Kyiv

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the Chuguev airbase near #Kharkiv has clearly been targeted, large fires are visible on the compound.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: CNN reports Belarusian regime forces have participated in Russian attacks on Ukrainian border posts.

Stock photo.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the international airport in #Kherson is on fire.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: missile debris stuck in a pavement in #Kyiv.

*Kharkiv

#UKRAINE πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: CNN BROADCASTS LIVESTREAM OF RUSSIAN/BELARUSIAN INVASION FORCES MOVING ACROSS THE BORDER INTO UKRAINE

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: massive explosion in #Lutsk (#Volyn region), westernmost reported strike, only ~80 km from the border with #NATO-member #Poland πŸ‡΅πŸ‡±

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: troop movements in occupied #Crimea, towards the frontline with the Ukrainian military.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: air sirens going off in #Lviv as well

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the #Mykolaiv airport is burning.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the western exit of #Kyiv

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: from #Kyiv this morning. The #Kremlin fires massive missiles into residential areas of a city of 3 million people

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Russian forces are moving out of occupied #Crimea into the #Kherson region.

Source:

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: a Russian attack helicopter has entered Ukrainian airspace over #Luhansk

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Russian missile slamming into the airport of #IvanoFrankivsk

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: another angle of the missile strike in #IvanoFrankivsk. Massive explosion following the hit.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: port of Ochakiv (#Mykolaiv region) is on fire

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: an apartment building in Chuguev (#Kharkiv region) was hut by Russian shelling.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: smoke fills the air over the #Vinnytsia region as a Ukrainian military base has reportedly been struck.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: *unconfirmed* footage to Russian forces inside of Ukrainian territory in the #Kharkiv region.

Repeat: unconfirmed

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: smoke surrounds the Ukrianian naval base in #Odessa, another logical target of the Russian invasion

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: as of this morning #Mariupol is still under Ukrainian control. Long lines are being reported at the grocery stores and ATMs

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: relentless shelling in the #Kharkiv region this morning

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: thousands leaving #Kyiv, leading west where they hope it's safe(r)

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: Russian forces reportedly moving through the town of Henichesk (#Kherson region), meaning they've broken out of #Crimea

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: footage posted on separatist-aligned channels claiming to show (pro-) Russian forces trying to advance towards Schastya in #Luhansk

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: more footage of Russian/Belarusian invasion forces moving into Ukrainian territory.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: the president of #Moldova πŸ‡²πŸ‡© has asked the government to declare a state of emergency and prepare for the arrival of thousands of refugees.

Around 1000 Russian soldiers are illegally stationed in the country.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦: destruction and continues shelling at the Mizhnarodnyy airport, just outside of #Mariupol.

#Ukraine πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ BREAKING: Russian missiles are also flying towards Ukrainian territory from the separatist entity of #Transnistria in #Moldova πŸ‡²πŸ‡©

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