US officials reportedly say Russia has a list of opponents to arrest or assassinate i

[Boats]

US officials reportedly say Russia has a list of opponents to arrest or assassinate if it invades Ukraine
By: Alia Shoaib - Business Insider News - 02-19-22
Re: https://www.businessinsider.com/russ...ukraine-2022-2

Photo link: https://i.insider.com/61eca4352b43ff...jpeg&auto=webp
A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Associated Press

* Russia has lists of political opponents to arrest or assassinate if it invades Ukraine, Foreign Policy said.

* The lists include political figures, anti-corruption activists, and Belarusian and Russian dissidents.

* The US has reportedly shared intelligence about the possible targets with the Ukrainian government.

US intelligence services have obtained information that Russia is drafting lists of political opponents to possibly arrest or assassinate if it invades Ukraine, Foreign Policy reported.

Four sources familiar with US intelligence told the outlet that the lists include Ukrainian political figures, anti-corruption activists, and Belarusian and Russian dissidents living in exile in Ukraine.

The report comes amid growing certainty among Western leaders than an invasion of Ukraine by Russia is imminent.

President Joe Biden said on Friday he was "convinced" that Russian President Vladimir Putin would launch an attack into the country in the coming days.

Russia has continuously denied that it plans to attack, but has so far amassed as many as 190,000 troops along the Ukraine-Russia border.

Five Eyes — the international intelligence alliance of the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand — has also tracked Russian intelligence agencies, such as the FSB and GRU, building up "target and kill" lists, Foreign Policy reported.

The Biden administration has been surprised by how detailed the lists are, according to Foreign Policy. The lists, the publication reports, seem to target anyone who might challenge Russia's agenda in the region.

The move would be in keeping with Russia's previous actions. Moscow has previously tried to "force cooperation through intimidation and repression," one US official speaking under the condition of anonymity told Foreign Policy.

"These acts, which in past Russian operations have included targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearances, detentions, and the use of torture, would likely target those who oppose Russian actions," the official told the outlet.

This could include "Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons," the US official said.

The target lists are part of Russia's plan to replace the current Ukrainian administration with a pro-Russia government, sources familiar with the intelligence told CNN.

A recent report published by the British defense think tank the Royal United Services Institute alleged that Russian security services have been identifying Ukrainian individuals who could be trusted to run local governments in the event of a Russian invasion.

Russian forces are also identifying people hostile to Russia who might organize resistance to any invading force, the report said.

Another US official told Foreign Policy that the US has been downgrading the intelligence classification of threats to specific groups in order to share information with the Ukrainian government and regional partners.

The move is part of a wider drive by the US and UK to make unusual amounts of intelligence public in the hopes of robbing Putin of the element of surprise, The Guardian previously reported.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made similar warnings during a speech to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday in which he outlined how a Russian invasion of Ukraine might go.

Blinken said that Russia might start by launching missiles and bombs before sending tanks and soldiers into Ukraine.

"Conventional attacks are not all that Russia plans to inflict upon the people of Ukraine. We have information that indicates Russia will target specific groups of Ukrainians," Blinken said.

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Personal note: You know whose watching this closely don't you?
Both China and North Korea. They are learning by watching Russia's
actions.
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So far Russia has crossed the line and nothing major is happening.
This negative reaction will give them a foot print of operations to
interfer with US markets and breakdown NATO's actions as well.
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When the first shots were fired is when things need to happen.
You don't sit back and say let's talk about what's going on - and
you should stop what you're doing. Guess what - We are doing
that right now. Other nations are watching these happenings and
what counter-measures have taken place. Well Russia made the
1st move - and the rest of us just want to talk about it - and see
if we can get a resolve from these aggressions. Meanwhile people
are dying and nobody is doing anything about it - still wanting to
talk about any solutions. More meetings & verbal condemnations
these get old quickly - so now what?
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That may have worked 50 years ago - but not today.
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Weakness by NATO & the US will be our downfall. The bad guys
know this - and will put more pressure on & and the media will
no doubt post contrary news of the on ongoing issues & meeting's
that are being held - and our responce's to those actions - or how
to find a solution and/or corrective measure for the issues at hand.
-
Russia made the 1st move - and all of our reteroirc means nothing
to them. Our inability to resolve these issues isn't working - and the
other bad guys (in the backround) are also watching Russia's
movements - with little verbal response from NATO & the US.
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Those player's are most likely China and North Korea who are
waiting to see just how these issue's will play out - or get resolved
- and if Russia gets what they want - out of it? Maybe they can too?
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Russia seems to have the upper hand - and all NATO & the US are
doing is looking for a resolve - without getting into a world-wide conflict.
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Meanwhile material prices are going up & trade is in question?
Gas & Oil prices will sore again and again. Shortages in products
& companies being shut down - and folks will be laid off - and of
course the ongoing virus issues are still in play.
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So here we are once agan - waiting for another war in Europe
which is on the horizon. Plus NK & China are also watching these
ongoing issues as well - and so is the rest of the world.
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So guy's "What's The Fix"? The world is watcing & waiting.