Russia

Thursday June 1, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 1, 2023

Putin’s Hypocrisy: Denouncing Ukraine While Engaging in Immoral Invasion

Vladimir Putin’s recent denouncement of Ukraine’s attempt to “intimidate Russia” is nothing short of audacious. As his own forces continue an immoral invasion of Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians, including innocent civilians, Putin’s hypocrisy knows no bounds.

February 24, 2023

In his statement, Putin portrayed Ukraine’s biggest-ever drone strike on Moscow as a terrorist response to Russia’s previous strike on Ukraine’s military intelligence headquarters. He claimed that Ukraine had chosen the path of intimidation and attacks on residential buildings. However, the truth is glaringly obvious – Putin’s regime has been the aggressor in this conflict, relentlessly pursuing its expansionist agenda.

While Putin attempts to paint Ukraine as the villain, it is his own forces that have brought the 15-month war to the heart of Russia. Drone attacks, strikes on oil pipelines, and even an attack on the Kremlin itself have intensified in recent weeks. Despite Ukraine’s denial of involvement in the Moscow attack, U.S. intelligence believes otherwise. The New York Times reported that Kiev was responsible, further undermining Putin’s narrative.

News: Moscow drone attack: Putin says Ukraine trying to frighten Russians  

January 26, 2023

The Moscow attack struck prestigious areas of the city, including those where the Russian elite, including Putin, reside. Yet, despite this breach of security, many Muscovites carried on with their lives, displaying their famous fatalism. Putin’s propaganda machine ensured calm coverage, downplaying the severity of the situation.

Putin has consistently framed the conflict in Ukraine as a struggle against an arrogant and aggressive West, accusing them of risking a global war by supporting Ukraine. However, the reality is that Putin’s actions have caused one of the deadliest wars in Europe since World War Two. Russia’s relentless supply of weaponry to Ukraine and its expansionist ambitions have escalated the conflict, disregarding the lives of Ukrainians caught in the crossfire.

Furthermore, Putin’s claims of the West escalating the war by supporting Ukraine ring hollow. It is Russia that continues to violate international norms, ignoring the sovereignty of a neighbouring country and causing immense suffering. The United States, among others, has expressed a desire to avoid war with Russia and has urged Ukraine not to attack inside Russian territory.

Analysis: The Moscow drone attacks bring Russia’s war to its doorstep – and put Putin’s alternative reality at risk  

February 26, 2022

The audacity of Putin’s denouncement of Ukraine’s actions while his own forces perpetrate violence and invasion cannot be understated. His regime’s disregard for human life and blatant hypocrisy should be condemned by the international community. It is imperative that the world holds Putin accountable for his actions and supports Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty and peace.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, the deaths of innocent Ukrainians and the destruction of their homeland cannot be forgotten. The international community must stand united against Putin’s aggression and support Ukraine in its quest for justice and freedom. Only by holding Putin accountable can we hope to prevent further loss of life and preserve the principles of peace and sovereignty that underpin global stability. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give editorial cartooning a try.

Wednesday April 12, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 12, 2023

GOP Caught in Pro-Putin Romance: Leaked Pentagon Docs Reveal Embarrassing Bedfellows

The recent leak of top-secret Pentagon information related to the Ukraine war has sent shockwaves through the U.S. government and its allies. As the Pentagon scrambles to assess the scope of the leak and assure allies, there are concerns that the information revealed could potentially be embarrassing to Democrats and President Joe Biden. However, it is not just U.S. adversaries who may find glee in this leak, but also pro-Putin Republicans who have been supportive of Russia’s aggression and have advocated for policies that align with Russian interests.

February 24, 2023

There has been little media coverage of the pro-Putin rally that took place on February 19, 2023, or the growing number of Republicans and influential politicians who have expressed support for Putin and anti-support for Ukraine. This is a concerning development as it marks a departure from the historical stance of the Republican Party, which has traditionally been known for its support of U.S. national security interests and democracy promotion globally. Former Republican Presidents such as Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan have championed American values and stood against Russian aggression, but many within the GOP have taken a different turn in recent years.

The pro-Putin sentiments among Republicans are evident in the statements and actions of influential figures such as Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson of Fox News, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, among others. These individuals have either held or sought political office and have openly expressed support for Russia’s aggressive actions. Social media platforms like Parler, Rumble, Gab, and Odysee have also been used to spread Russian disinformation, with some members of the GOP House Freedom Caucus and conservative media figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon promoting baseless claims that bolster the Kremlin’s aggression, according to think tanks that track disinformation propaganda.

Meet the pro-Putin Republicans and conservatives 

March 1, 2022

The leak of Pentagon information on Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and assessments of international support for Ukraine, along with other sensitive topics, presents a serious risk to national security, as stated by the Pentagon itself. It is yet to be authenticated by U.S. officials, but the potential impact of the leak is a cause for concern. The leaked information includes assessments of when Putin might use nuclear weapons, which could be embarrassing for Democrats and Biden’s administration if it reveals any missteps or vulnerabilities in their approach to Russia.

It is worth noting that the leak of classified information comes at a time when the U.S. and its allies are dealing with increased Russian aggression, including Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. While all living former U.S. presidents, except for Donald Trump, have condemned Putin’s actions, there are pro-Putin Republicans who have taken a different stance. This highlights a concerning trend within the GOP, which has shifted away from its historical support for U.S. national security interests and democracy promotion globally.

The implications of the leaked Pentagon information and the pro-Putin sentiments among some Republicans are significant. It raises questions about the trustworthiness of the U.S. in sharing information with its allies and the impact on Ukraine’s plans to intensify its fight against Russia. It also highlights the need for all patriotic Americans to uphold Reagan’s peace through strength message against Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, as stated by the Wall Street Journal. Failure to do so could result in dire consequences for the country and the world at large.

Pentagon leak: Spring offensive downplayed and other key takeaways 

In conclusion, the leak of top-secret Pentagon information related to the Ukraine war has potential implications that go beyond national security concerns. Pro-Putin Republicans who have expressed support for Russia’s aggression may find glee in any embarrassing revelations for Democrats and Biden’s administration. This trend among some Republicans is concerning and marks a departure from the party’s historical stance on U.S. (AI)

 

Friday February 24, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday February 24, 2023

Total number of civilian casualties in Putin’s invasion

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is precisely one year old, Vladimir Putin having announced his “special military operation” on 24 February 2022.

January 26, 2023

Western nations have ramped up military suport for Kyiv since the near year, with Germany and the US both announcing in January that they would send battle tanks to Ukraine.

Berlin will provide 14 Leopard 2 tanks from military stocks as a first step. The training of Ukrainian troops in their use will begin in Germany soon, with logistics support and ammunition part of the package.

The US will meanwhile send 31 M1 Abram tanks in the coming months.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz came under huge international pressure to approve the use of the Leopard 2 models, with nations requiring permission from Germany to re-export those in their own armies. The eventual decision to go ahead paves the way for other countries such as Poland, Spain and Norway to supply their stocks of Leopard 2 tanks too.

December 22, 2022

Between the war’s commencement on 24 February 2022 and 21 February 2023, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded 21,293 civilian casualties in the country: 8,006 killed and 13,287 injured.

According to the UN OHCHR, of the adult civilian casualties whose sex is known, men accounted for 61.1 per cent of civilian casualties and women for 39.9 per cent.

At least 487 children were killed and 954 injured.

An estimated 90.3 per cent of civilian casualties were caused by explosive weapons with wide area effects, including artillery shells, cruise and ballistic missiles, and air strikes. Most occurred in populated areas.

The OHCHR has also recorded 632 civilian casualties – 219 killed and 413 injured – caused by mines and explosive remnants of war.

September 14, 2022

The UN understands the actual number of civilian deaths are considerably higher than reported, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration.

According to Ukraine’s leading war crimes prosecutor, more than 100,000 Ukrainian civilians are believed to have been killed over the course of the last year, more than 10 times the current official death toll.

The horrific tally illustrates the scale of devastation in the country, which has fought a relentless onslaught from Vladimir Putin’s forces since their invasion on 24 February last year.

Speaking to The Independent, prosecutor Yuriy Belousov revealed his fears about the human cost on the civilian population.

“There could be 100,000 civilians killed across Ukraine, whose bodies will have to be found and identified once occupied territory is liberated,” Mr Belousov said. The current official death toll published by the UN this week puts the official death toll at 8,000.

March 1, 2022

Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has branded Mr Putin a “nobody” and suggested it is too late for face-to-face peace talks with the Russian leader to make any difference.

In an interview, Mr Zelensky described the Russian president as a “man who said one thing and then did another” as he said he was not interested in meeting him.

Speaking in English, he said: “It is not interesting for me. Not interesting to meet, not interesting to speak. Why? Because we had meeting with him in Normandy Format, it was before full-scale invasion.

“I saw the man who said one thing and then did another. So for me, I can’t understand – is it his decisions or somebody else? So to meet what – to shake hands? Not interesting. To speak? I really don’t understand who makes decisions in Russia.”

He also accused Russia’s president of having a disregard for his troops and throwing them “into the meat grinder”, ahead of an anticipated new offensive. (The Independent)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro …

 

Thursday January 26, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 26, 2023

Tank re-enforcements on their way to defend Ukraine

April 12, 2022

President Biden has announced he is sending American tanks to Ukraine after weeks of disagreement between Nato allies over helping Kyiv to repel the Russian invaders.

As the war in Ukraine enters its 12th month, Biden said the US would send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, equivalent to a Ukrainian tank battalion.

The announcement coincided with a U-turn by Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, who promised about 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks for an international tank battalion “as soon as possible”, with another battalion likely to follow.

The Americans had been reluctant to send Abrams, arguing that they were too complex and difficult to maintain. It will be months before they arrive.

“Germany has really stepped up,” Biden said. “The expectation on the part of Russia is we’re going to break up [as a coalition]. But we are fully, totally and thoroughly united.”

The announcement came after a conference call between world leaders, including Rishi Sunak. Britain has already agreed to send 14 Challenger 2 tanks, a move that heralded the broader change of heart across the biggest players in Nato.

October 12, 2022

President Zelensky had called for 300 tanks to push the Russians back from territory they have taken. With contributions from other countries, it is believed Ukraine will receive at least 125. Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defence minister, said last night that Kyiv would now press for modern fighter jets, including American F-16s.

After weeks of tension between the US and Germany, and occasionally harsh recriminations from other allies, both Scholz and Biden were at pains to stress western unity. Biden said the US and its European partners were in “lockstep” and heaped praise on his German counterpart.

The Ukrainian government reacted jubilantly to the German-American package, which Zelensky’s chief of staff hailed as a “real punching fist of democracy against autocracy from the bog”, in a reference to President Putin’s Russia. Zelensky said he was “sincerely grateful” for “these important and timely decisions”.

February 25, 2022

Moscow has alternated between condemnation and displays of indifference. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, recently said western tanks would “not fundamentally change anything” in the conflict and today said they would “burn like all the rest” in Ukraine.

Peskov then warned that the delivery of the tanks would “bring nothing good to the future relationship” between Berlin and Moscow.

Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the US, added that a further donation of American Abrams tanks would be “another blatant provocation.” (The Times of London) 

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro …

 

Thursday December 22, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 22, 2022

Putin Finally Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

September 22, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a significant statement this week as he called the conflict in Ukraine a “war” for the first time since he ordered a full-scale invasion into the neighboring country.

On Thursday, Putin advocated for an end to the “war,” a word he has avoided using to describe what he and the Kremlin have otherwise insisted to be a “special military operation” for the last 10 months.

“Our aim is not to fan the flames of this military conflict, on the contrary, it is to end this war,” Putin told reporters.

Up until now, the Russian president has repeatedly asserted that the ongoing escalation in Ukraine is not a “war” but a “special military operation” that Russia had “no choice” but to conduct to protect Russians living in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Just earlier this month, Putin said the “special military operation” was taking longer than expected as he acknowledged that the battle was taking a toll on his army. Speaking with members of his Human Rights Council, Putin vowed to “consistently fight for our interests” despite it being a “lengthy process.”

September 1, 2022

But Thursday’s comment marks a departure from the narrative Putin has sought to maintain throughout Russia’s invasion, and revealed how fraught the conflict remains just days before Christmas. Calculations from Newsweek estimate that Russia’s death toll is expected to pass 100,000 troop losses on Thursday.

On Thursday, Russia reiterated that it is open to negotiations—a claim that has been met with much skepticism from Ukraine and the West.

“I have said many times: The intensification of hostilities leads to unjustified losses,” Putin said. “All armed conflicts end one way or another with some kind of negotiations on the diplomatic track.”

“Sooner or later, any parties in a state of conflict sit down and make an agreement. The sooner this realization comes to those who oppose us, the better. We have never given up on this,” the Russian president added.

December 24, 2018

His comments come a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an in-person address to Congress during his first trip outside of Ukraine since the conflict began on February 24.

“Russia could stop its aggression…but you can speed up our victory,” Zelensky told American lawmakers on Wednesday night.

Asking for continued assistance from the U.S., the Ukrainian president said, “Your money is not charity, it’s an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”

During the visit, President Joe Biden announced an additional $1.8 billion in military aid for Ukraine, saying, “I think it’s important for [Zelensky] to know we are going to do everything in our power to see that he succeeds.” (Newsweek)