Fighting Rages in Kharkiv, Kyiv, As EU Members Move to Ban Russia From SWIFT – The Russian offensive against the major Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Kyiv continued through Saturday night and into Sunday. The Russians continued to hammer away at Ukrainian defenses and have hit both military and civilian areas with airstrikes and artillery, including missile strikes.
On Saturday night in Kyiv, the Russians hit a large oil depot in Kyiv setting it ablaze which was seen glowing all night in television news reports as most of Kyiv was in darkness. While not a total blackout, Ukrainian authorities issued a curfew and discouraged bright lights to deter Russian saboteurs and airstrikes.
While the Russians have not yet been able to capture any major cities during the invasion, they claimed to have completely blocked the cities of Kherson and Berdyansk according to Major General Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman. He also claimed that the Russian forces have brought Henichesk and the Chernobayevka airfield under their control.
Ukraine Targeting Russian Logistics:
Ukrainian forces are targeting Russian supply columns, which are road-bound and more vulnerable than their armored forces, although, from the limited video and photos that are coming out of Ukraine, it seems that much of the Russian armor is also road-bound as well, which the milder winter this year, could be a factor in limiting their cross country capability for fear of getting bogged down.
Unconfirmed reports coming out of Ukraine on Saturday stated that Russian troops were running low on fuel, food, ammunition as the logistics chain was having a tough time keeping their troops supplied.
Fighting Rages in Kharkiv, Kyiv:
Russian armored vehicles have entered Kharkiv, a city of nearly 1.5 million people about 20 miles south of the Russian border. While street-to-street fighting was ongoing, the regional governor Oleh Sinegubov, claimed that Ukrainian troops had pushed the Russians out. This has yet to be confirmed, however.
“Control over Kharkiv is completely ours! The armed forces, the police, and the defense forces are working, and the city is being completely cleansed of the enemy,” Sinegubov wrote on social media.
Sinegubov urged citizens, however, to remain indoors while the fighting takes place.
“The Russian enemy’s vehicles advanced into the city of Kharkiv. Including the central part of the city. Warning! Do not leave your shelters!” Sinegubov said on Facebook.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are eliminating the enemy. Civilians are asked not to go out in the streets.” He claimed that they’ve captured dozens of Russian soldiers who complained of demoralization and lack of fuel and supplies.
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, street fighting continues as Russian saboteurs and special operations troops that were to provide reconnaissance and soften up the way for the main body of Russian armor are being isolated and hunted down. An American official with knowledge of the situation told 19fortyfive.com that those Russians included fighters from the Wagner Group. The Russians planned on being in Kyiv by this time and their troops inside of the capital are in danger of being wiped out.
US, UK, Allies Move to Ban “Selected” Russian Banks From SWIFT:
While Ukrainian President Zelensky rejected calls from Russia to engage in peace talks held in Belarus, he said that he’d agree but in a neutral country, the West moved ahead with tougher sanctions on Russia.
In a joint statement, the US, UK, and other allies have committed “to ensuring that selected Russian banks are removed from the SWIFT messaging system. This will ensure that these banks are disconnected from the international financial system and harm their ability to operate globally.”
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), is a secure messaging banking system that aids rapid cross-border payments, makes international trade flow smoothly, and is the principal mechanism for financing international trade.
The sanctions on SWIFT will target Russia’s $630 billion dollars in foreign currency reserves that it uses to support the Russian ruble.
Steve Balestrieri is a 1945 National Security Columnist. He has served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer before injuries forced his early separation. In addition to writing for 19fortyfive.com, he has covered the NFL for PatsFans.com for more than 10 years and his work was regularly featured in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and Grafton News newspapers in Massachusetts.
Alex
February 27, 2022 at 9:44 am
The slow advance of the Russian army is nothing more than a desire to prevent the death of the civilian population, which generally welcomes them well. The operation could have ended within 24 hours, but with huge casualties. Strength is not carpet bombing with uranium from the air, as NATO has always done and is doing. Strength is the salvation of more civilians. As a result, the Nazis of Ukraine will still be defeated.
Art
February 27, 2022 at 10:04 am
How many Russian bots are here? Russians kill civilians and get enormous resistance in every single UA city from teenagers to grannies. UA never had nazis and we all see who the real nazi are these days. Tell your mr Putin – Kiev will stand more than he lives!
Hopley Yeaton
February 27, 2022 at 11:07 am
????????
Ben Colder
February 27, 2022 at 11:37 am
I am somewhat surprised that the Russian son of a bitch has not just smashed them I thought he would I hope he gets his ass handed to him by the Ukraines but in reality they really don’t stand a chance and That fool Traitor Senile Joe Biteme does nothing but egg the Russian bastard on.What kind of president do we have he should be impeached for this alone but nothing will happen to the damned fool communist.I donot want the Us to be involved in the fighting but there is things that we could have done or could still do if we had a leader that does not mess himself.What a fool he has made the US look like what a idiot.
Jack Kemp
February 27, 2022 at 1:29 pm
“The slow advance of the Russian army is nothing more than a desire to prevent the death of the civilian population.” SMDH. Is that why he blew up an apartment building with a cruise missile to prevent civilian deaths? Again, SMDH.
Hijoesan
February 27, 2022 at 1:31 pm
SWIFT would be more accurately called a currency transfer system or money transfer system. It enables bank to bank currency exchange and transfer of money.
DJG
February 27, 2022 at 1:41 pm
NATO absolutely must aid Ukraine to whatever extent is necessary.
xtron
February 27, 2022 at 2:25 pm
so much for the “fearsome” russian military. they have all this awsome hardware, and hundreds of thousands of troops…..but can’t figure out how to do a resupply chain.
eisenhower was right… rookies study tactics…. veterans study logistics
SFjeff
February 27, 2022 at 8:53 pm
The campaign; too late to run the heavies cross country (its not Siberia)but too early in the Russian equipment replacement and build up plan. Now everybody else wants to get their new weapons tested in combat. Ouch. Who will show the prisoners first?
And the Ns were National Socialists; please use the correct description.
Toecutter
February 27, 2022 at 9:00 pm
Ukraine cannot defeat Russia, but the war can be extended so more people on both sides can die. The result is a forgone conclusion, there has to be a negotiated settlement. Better that settlement comes sooner rather than later for all parties involved. “War is pleasurable to those who have not experienced it”.
from Russia with love
February 28, 2022 at 5:45 am
Jack Kemp:
“SMDH. Is that why he blew up an apartment building with a cruise missile to prevent civilian deaths? Again, SMDH.”
especially for the uneducated explain.
a cruise missile does not have a contrail. air defense missiles, in particular those used by the Ukrainian troops, have a contrail. a rocket that hit a multi-storey building has a pronounced contrail and destructive power is much lower than that of a cruise missile. what you are talking about is the result of the actions of soldiers of the Ukrainian army, with crooked hands, who hide in Kyiv behind the backs of the civilian population and shoot in all directions with whatever comes to hand. there is also a video where such air defense crushed a car with people right on the street. here are your friends. tell me who your friend is and I will tell you who you are 😉
Alex
February 28, 2022 at 9:45 am
One thing is clear at all times: only a Nazi shouts that he is not a Nazi after they came to destroy him for the murders he committed. Nothing has changed with the Bandera Nazis.
Reddit Man
February 28, 2022 at 10:31 am
Well it seems that the Ukrainians have things well in hand with all those women and children shooting at the Ruskies. No need for any outside help. ?