Russia Conquers Flattened Cities: Cause and Effect

Posted March 6, 2022, 

(rough, incomplete - last updated March 17)

Formerly "Is Russia is Hitting Civilian Targets in Ukraine?" (meaning by design and as alleged? and improved title reflecting the possibly important core idea)

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At least one relatively level-headed mainstream analysis of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, by Ishmael N. Daro at The Nation, urges caution about sources on both sides in the attendant information war. He emphasizes some of the swallowed fictions out of Kiev, like the 13 "Snake Island defenders" and "the Ghost of Kyiv." It's worth a read if you're unfamiliar, but optional otherwise. The provided examples are far from a complete list even then, and just how far from complete they are remains unknown. 

But Daro also says of Russia: "the biggest lie in this conflict has been Putin’s claim that he was not preparing an invasion." That was a big, attempted misdirection, but it has stiff competition, including some massive lies by omission on the other side about NATO expansion, Maidan snipers, and more. 

Daro also adds "Russian officials have also maintained—despite clear evidence to the contrary—that their military is not hitting civilian targets in Ukraine." That's explained with a link to an early CNN article (Feb. 25 - it wasn't as old when I started this project a few days back): "reports about apartment buildings and kindergartens being shelled, civilians being killed, and rockets being found in residential streets have been trickling in since the beginning of the offensive." And we've heard more and worse and clearer reports since then. It would seem undeniable to most Western war-watchers.

I'll use this CNN piece as a starting template here, expanded with at least some key examples of the much greater allegations since then. To say there's "evidence" is surely fair enough, but calling it "clear" is questionable, and as I've seen so far, none of it comes close to the proof it's widely taken as. I mean to look at each of the incidents highlighted by CNN plus a few others - brief review here, and more detailed sub-posts to explain at least some of them. 

Some alleged incidents of Russian criminality in the peaceful - and honest! - land of Ukraine: 

1) Kindergarten in Okhtyrka, orphanage in Vorzel

Clearly, these early events carry strong propaganda value - a kindergarten and an orphanage ... no military value, just to send a message ... in Okhtyrka, to be followed with generally wrecking the town, power and heat plant and the railway station - a message that works to Kiev's advantage informationally, and to Russia's disadvantage in all regards, as they soon - seemingly - took control of Okhtyrka shortly before it was wrecked. 

1A) Okhtyrka: Deadly Strike on a Kindergarten and Destruction of the Power Station 

Six civilians rep. killed, 2 children & 4 adults, cluster munitions used, rocket fired from NW, 5-20-35km, nominally Ukrainian government-held territory, but Russian advance forces were allegedly in the area - allegation somewhat dubious, needing more review ...

Reports now of pro-government forces using kindergartens and more as bases of operations. Likely does not relate to this case, but perhaps.

1B) CNN: "The orphanage was also mentioned by Lyudmila Denisova, the ombudsman of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights. "As a result of heavy armor shelling of an orphanage in the town of Vorzel in the Kyiv region, 51 children are currently at risk of life and health, 3 of whom have severe health problems and 15 infants. Two buildings of the institution were damaged," she said." 

I may look into that more: location: just outside Kiev to the northwest. 

2) Rockets in Bucha and Kharkiv

...f/c

3) Chuhuiv apartment building

quickly: seems a genuine rocket detonation, fired probably from the NW, where there were Russian forces, but could also be Ukrainian or allied forces. Accident seems possible, with a nearby airport the intended target. A few were killed, several injured, with only slight damage visible to the buildings - if it was meant as a false-flag allegation against Russia, it didn't make for a very powerful one. This scene was declared fake by someone, and it was widely repeated that these images came from a 2018 gas explosion. As I tweeted, that doesn't seem to be the case.  Bellingcat with just-now site vs. sattelite images

...more f/c

More entries past that, on a subject that has expanded much past this ... 

4) Mariupol! 

Who is really flattening Mariupol?

4a) Who Attacked the Children's and Maternity Hospital in Mariupol?

5) Kiev 

5a) apartment "attack" 2/26

Triangulating the Source of Kiev Apartment Missile "Attack" (updates pending)

Visual finding pretty well prove this damage, and probably more than the zero reported fatalities, was caused by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile. Most likely this was a simple accident when it went off course due to some kind of engine failure. Summary and explanatory post both needs some work, but this isn't top priority; it seems most informed people realize what this was, and no longer emphasize it, instead citing the many newer examples of Russian criminality.

6) Kharkiv admin building

...f/c

7) Attacks on Apartment Blocks and a Russian Supply Column in Borodyanka

...