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To: null and void; aragorn; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; Beautiful_Gracious_Skies; BusterDog; bgill; bitt; ...

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Wuhan virus -

Thousands of people gathered in European capitals Saturday to protest vaccine passports and other requirements governments have imposed in hopes of ending the coronavirus pandemic. Demonstrations took place in Athens, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Paris and Stockholm. In Brussels, police water cannon trucks fired powerful jets at protestors in the Belgian capital.

Wuhan reporting out of Israel has been eyeopening. Despite having one of the highest percentages for citizens “fully vaccinated” (two injections plus a ‘booster’ and a second booster in progress) it currently leading the world in new daily COVID-19 cases per capita,
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Economy -

Observers noting that 80% of all dollars that have existed were printed in the last 2 years. When you print more money it means there are more dollars chasing the same amount of goods and services, which causes prices to rise. If we want to put this into perspective, we can take a look at the monetary supply at the beginning of 2020, which showed just $4.0192 trillion in circulation. By January 2021, that number had jumped up to $6.7 trillion — but this was only the beginning.
By November of last year, that number climbed to $20.354 trillion dollars in circulation — meaning that since January 2020, the United States has printed nearly 80% of all US dollars in existence.

Washington DC Mayor asking citizens to ‘voluntarily’ limit purchases in grocery stores.

The U.S. closed its borders to unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Canadian and Mexican truck drivers on Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday.
“These updated travel requirements reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting public health while safely facilitating the cross-border trade and travel that is critical to our economy,” Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. The impact will be felt most acutely for the U.S.-Canada freight market, where around 160,000 truckers regularly cross the border — 75% of whom are Canadian.
OBSERVATION - Similar restriction by Canada will only make the current supply / transport crisis worse.
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Strategic Activity / Deployments -

******** WARNING - SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS *********
Still no statement regarding the deployment of naval vessels from the US. USNI News still shows nothing in US. Only units depicted are those in the vicinity of the Japan Sea. Those include four carrier CSG, all other carriers have dropped off the map as well.
See link below to USNI map as of Jan 18, 2022

https://news.usni.org/2022/01/18/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-18-2022#jp-carousel-91311

The U.S. Department of Defense said the two U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Groups, led by their flagships USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, had begun operations in the South China Sea on Sunday. Last week these CSGs were conducting operations in the Japan Sea and with Japanese naval elements that included Japan’s first Aircraft carrier in decades.

Biden is considering deploying several thousand U.S. troops, as well as warships and aircraft, to NATO allies in the Baltics and Eastern Europe, an expansion of American military involvement amid mounting fears of a Russian incursion into Ukraine, according to administration officials. Among strategies being considered, between 1,000 to 5,000 troops could be relocated to countries in Eastern Europe. There would also be a potential to increase to 50,000 should the need arise.
OBSERVATION - The numerous Amphibious Assault ships that departed Norfolk naval base if fully loaded with troops and equipment could meet this requirement in a few days. Also, US forces in Western Europe could be repositioned eastward.

Neptune Strike 22 by Strike Force NATO being conducted in the Mediterrian sea starts today with the USS Truman CSG
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China -

China sent thirty-nine (39) military aircraft into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) of Taiwan Sunday, the largest single incursion since October
Aircraft Type:
Yun-9 communication countermeasure aircraft 2 sorties (Two Y-9 EW)
J-10 10 sorties (Ten J-10)
J-16 24 sorties (Twenty-four J-16)
Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft 2 sorties (Two Y-8 ELINT)
H-6 aircraft 1 sortie (One H-6)
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Russia -

INCREASED WARNING ONGOING - OSINT and other analysts are noting the continued build up of military assets that go far beyond those necessary for a military ‘exercise’. Putin has seriously deployed for combat and can execute several options at any moment. Current indicators are that Russia is more inclined to launch a full scale attack against the Ukraine with the purpose of overthrowing the government.

Russia has deployed elements of 10 army groups and an army corps near Ukraine (probably 70+ BTGs). Of those, only 3 are permanently stationed to cover Russia’s south-western borders. The increase is therefore substantial in terms of size and capabilities, but also broad in terms of the territory covered.

Russian deployments indicate the capability to launch an offensive against Ukraine along 7 fronts: from the Union State of Russia and Belarus, from the Russian Federation, from Russian-occupied Donbas, from the Sea of Azov, from Russian-occupied Crimea, from the Black Sea, from Russian-occupied Moldova.

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State Dept advises US citizens against travel to Russia.

Russia’s purported military exercises in Belarus, which many see as dress rehearsal for invasion of Ukraine from north, end Feb 20, same day Beijing Olympics end. Putin invaded Crimea just after Sochi Olympics in 2014.

The Russian Foreign Minister’s office has warned Japan to stay out of the Ukraine crisis after Japan warned that it was ready to take ‘strong actions’ regarding Russia’s actions regarding Ukraine and U.S. officials stated the U.S. has a ‘close alignment’ with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Russia has notified Ireland of Russian naval exercises in international waters in the Irish Sea, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Monday, adding that they were unwelcome.
Russia said late last week its navy would stage a sweeping set of exercises involving all its fleets from the Pacific to the Atlantic, the latest show of strength in a surge of military activity during a standoff with the West.

Russian financial markets down’t seem too thrilled about war. Russian markets appear to be approaching something like free-fall territory. Stock market down 9% already today - value lost in last few weeks something like $150bn now. Ruble also fallen another 1.5%, getting close to point where Central Bank could consider intervening.

OVERALL OBSERVATION - It is currently unlikely that Russia will initiate an invasion until they have received and provided written responses to NATO membership/deployments in Eastern Europe. Russia cannot postpone an invasion indefinitely as combat readiness declines the longer things drag out. Russia has been attempting to maintain sharpness through various exercises, but given the numbers deployed they can only do so much. Cold weather continues through the short range, keeping ground frozen, permitting extensive armored operations. There are some rumors that Russia will strike in conjunction with the China olympics but that places forces static for an even longer period. ( Feb 20) Clearly they have forces to strike now.
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Ukraine -

U.K. has begun to withdraw staff from Embassy in Ukraine- BBC News
Australian federal government begins evacuating family members of Australian diplomats in Kyiv
State Dept official says U.S. ordered departure of all family members of U.S. embassy employees in Ukraine, gave option for non-essential employees to leave, said U.S. won’t be able to evacuate Americans if Russia invades, and adds U.S. doesn’t know if Putin has made up his mind.
The US State Dept has reissued its Level 4 Travel advisory for #Ukraine to include new information about increased risk of #Russian military action:
“Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19.”

The British government is claiming that the Russian government of Vladimir Putin is planning on executing a coup d’etat against the Ukrainian government headed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The report was unusually specific, naming five former Ukrainian ministers, of whom four served under former President Viktor Yanukovych — the Russian-backed leader driven from office in 2014.
The fifth plotter is a former member of the Ukrainian Parliament named Yevgeniy Murayev. He would be installed as leader of a pro-Russian government in Kyiv. Russia has denied the report.

OVERALL OBSERVATION - NATO is very limited in response, sending munitions/weapons to Ukraine but no serious ground forces. NATO appears to be setting up to discourage Putin from continuing the attack into Eastern Europe. Ukraine will have to fight this on their own. Home turf advantage and fighting a smart defensive war has the capability of inflicting serious losses to Russian forces, which probably accounts for the size of the potential Russian invasion force.
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Belarus -

Belarusian and Russian Air Forces are conducting joint patrols over Belarus
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Poland -

Poland does not intend to send troops to Ukraine - head of the National Security Bureau of Poland Pavel Solokh
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Europe / NATO General -

NATO allies have put forces on standby and sent ships and fighter jets to bolster Europe’s eastern defences as tensions soar over Russia’s military buildup around Ukraine, the alliance said on Monday
-Denmark sending frigate to Baltic Sea, four F-16s to Lithuania
-Spain sending ships, ‘considering’ jets to Bulgaria
-France ready to send forces to Romania
-Netherlands sending two F-35s to Bulgaria
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Middle East / N. Africa General -

Houthi launched another attack against UAE, firing at least two ballistic missile. THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) intercepted the Ballistic Missile near Al-Dhafra Air Base launched by the Houthi’s from Yemen.

OBSERVATION - Iranian backed Houthis seeking to spread the conflict into UAE.
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Iraq -

Iraq’s security forces deployed around Abou Ghraib and Taji prisons near Baghdad to prevent a suspected attack from IS to release detainees such as what happened in Hasakah, Syria. The Iraqi government has ordered tightening the security measures on the border strip with neighboring Syria after dozens of Islamic State (IS) militants said to have escaped a prison in Hasakah.

OBSERVATION - ISIS is ascendant across the region, from Syria to Afghanistan.
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Syria -

Significant attempted jail break by ISIS at the al-Sina’a prison in Syria’s Hasakah.
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Black Swans -

A truck and trailer carrying about 100 monkeys collided with a dump truck Friday afternoon along Route 54 just off Interstate 80 near Danville, Pennsylvania. Three monkeys escaped the crash. The monkeys were later reportedly “humanely euthanized.” According to a CDC spokesperson, the monkeys were en route to a CDC-approved quarantine facility after landing Friday morning in New York. They are originally from Mauritius, a country in eastern Africa. The CDC is now monitoring local residents for cold-like symptoms.


50 posted on 01/24/2022 6:57:32 AM PST by Godzilla (Never give up, never surrender . . . . . .)
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To: Godzilla
They are originally from Mauritius, a country in eastern Africa.

Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean about 500 miles east of Madigascar.

51 posted on 01/24/2022 8:06:23 AM PST by AndyJackson
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To: null and void; aragorn; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; Beautiful_Gracious_Skies; BusterDog; bgill; bitt; ...

Buckle up, another turbulent week enroute. I’m preparing a separate Russian options report for later, either today or tomorrow.
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Globalism / Great Reset -

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) closed Florida’s monoclonal antibody treatment sites on Monday after the federal government abruptly removed the treatments from Emergency Use Authorizations.
The Florida Department of Health released a statement on Monday evening condemning the “abrupt” decision to take away treatments that can prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death in high-risk patients who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19.
As a result of the US_FDA’s abrupt decision to remove the EUAs for two monoclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibody treatment sites will be closed until further notice.
“This evening, without any advanced notice, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)...The revised EUAs do not allow providers to administer these treatments within the United States,” the statement reads.
“Unfortunately, as a result of this abrupt decision made by the federal government, all monoclonal antibody state sites will be closed until further notice...Florida disagrees with the decision that blocks access to any available treatments in the absence of clinical evidence.”
OBSERVATION - The excuse given by the FDA is that this treatment is not effective against Omicron. However, it is just evidence of biden weaponizing treatments against Florida and likely as a warning against other Red states to toe the line. Its about power, not the disease. GGR will utilize similar punitive measures when finally unleashed.
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Wuhan virus -

Victoria Premier Dan Andrews of Australia has decided that in order to remain “fully vaccinated” for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), Aussies will now need to get a third “booster” dose.
Speaking outside at a park in his usual smug tone, Andrews explained that getting “boosted” is no longer an option. In order to continue living, Victorians will need to roll up their sleeves when their turn comes, or else be ostracized from society.
“This is not an option,” Andrews told his constituents condescendingly. “It’s not an add-on. It’s not (just) a good thing to have.”
“I think we’re very close to a change in policy that will simply reflect the fact that in order to be ‘fully vaccinated,’ you need to have three doses – not two plus an optional extra, but in fact to be fully protected, to be fully vaccinated, to have fully played your card, you need not two plus an optional third, but three doses.”

Preliminary, unpublished study by Israeli researchers show that a fourth injection does not prevent Omicron variant infections.
In related, Pfizer announced they will soon have a retooled injection to combat Omicron.
OBSERVATION - The ‘vaccine’ narrative continues to crumble as more and more proof these mRNA concoctions not only fail to prevent infection, but may even increase the probability of infections.
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Economy -

War fears and impending Fed rate adjustments caused the Dow Monday to drop more than a thousand points( and this morning the DOW is dropping like a rock again). Yet, with virtually no solid news basis the market rallied strongly. The rally brought out talk about the Fed activation of the ‘crash prevention’ team. Real economic pressures indicate further sell off and growing instability.

Lack of and increased in prices for fertilizer in the US have farmers looking at reducing corn planting. Fertilizer and liquid nitrogen have tripled and quadrupled in price over the past year. Corn typically takes about 600 pounds of fertilizer per acre, plus 50 gallons of liquid nitrogen. Farmers instead are looking to plant soybeans instead.
OBSERVATION - Fertilizer shortages are affecting the rest fo the world as well, cutting crop production by some estimates by as much as 30%. This will further stress global food markets, driving prices even higher.

Economic growth in the United States slowed sharply in the first weeks of the year due to supply chain disruptions, high prices, and labor shortages linked to the surge in Covid-19 infections, according to data from a purchasing managers survey released Monday.
The U.S. IHS Markit flash composite purchasing managers index, one of the first comprehensive looks at economic growth this year, fell to 50.8 in January from 57.0 in December, severely undershooting expectations and signaling almost no growth in the economy. Economists had forecast a reading of 56.7.
“Soaring virus cases have brought the U.S. economy to a near standstill at the start of the year, with businesses disrupted by worsening supply-chain delays and staff shortages, with new restrictions to control the spread of Omicron adding to firms’ headwinds,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit. The flash composite measures economic activity in both the services and manufacturing sides of the economy. Readings above 50 indicate growth.
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Invasion of Illegals -

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Friday acknowledged it was allowing illegal immigrants to present arrest warrants as identification to get on airplanes but said it was ending the practice.
“For non-citizens and non-U.S. nationals who do not otherwise have acceptable forms of ID for presentation at security checkpoints, TSA may also accept certain DHS-issued forms, including ICE Form I-200 (Warrant for Arrest of an Alien),” a spokesman for the agency told The Epoch Times in an email.
OBSERVATION - It is unspeakable that TSA would grant CRIMINALS access to our airlines in this manner.
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Biden watch -

Biden caught on hot mic calling Fox News’ Peter Doocy a ‘stupid son of a ...’ after he asked him about current high inflation.
Doocy called out, “Do you think inflation is a political liabiity ahead of the midterms?”
Biden replied “It’s a great asset - more inflation.” Then he shook his head and added, “What a stupid son of a bitch.”
White House has been on damage control since. Reports that biden called Doocy to say it was nothing personal but strictly business.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Biden’s job performance. Fifty-nine (59%) disapprove. The latest figures include 18% who Strongly Approve of the job Biden is doing and 50% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -32.
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POLITICAL FRONT -

More fallout among democrats following Schumer’s disastrous (in democrat views) handling of HR1 and BBB. Some democrats in DC are upset that Schumer’s actions have exposed fractures in the party and have made matters worse.

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Strategic Activity / Deployments -

******** WARNING - SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS *********

Warning orders for about 8,500 troops to make ready for deployment to Europe to counter Russian build ups. Exact units not specifically identified yet. There are also reports of discussions of readying up to 50,000 troops for deployment. Current discussions are that these forces will not be deployed directly to Ukraine, but other Eastern European nations like the Baltics, Poland, Romania, etc.
OBSERVATION - The US has long deactivate the old REFORGER concept but the last I heard has retained some stored equipment for smaller scale deployments that these troops can fall in on. Armor units are necessary to counter the armor heavy units Russia has. Airborne (82d, 101st) are ‘crunchies’, not sufficient to counter armor attacks.

Apart from today’s Kearsarge announcement, still no statement regarding the deployment of other naval vessels from the US. USNI News still shows nothing in US. Only units depicted are those in the vicinity of the Japan Sea. Those include four carrier CSG, all other carriers have dropped off the map as well.
See link below to USNI map as of Jan 24, 2022

https://news.usni.org/2022/01/24/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-jan-24-2022

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas. The ARG and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are in the middle of a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
OBSERVATION - The Kearsarge ARG was observed departing Norfolk on the 14th of Jan. No word on the other groups that departed a few days later. No word on the reason for their deployment yet.

An F-35C Joint Strike Fighter crashed while landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which is currently operating in the South China Sea. The pilot ejected from the aircraft and is in a stable condition, while seven other sailors aboard the ship were injured as a result of the accident. The fate of the aircraft is uncertain. A spokesman for the 7th Naval Fleet in Japan called the impact on the flight deck “superficial”. The warship and its air squadron have resumed normal operations.
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Cyber Warfare -

A DHS memo released Sunday warned that Russia could launch a cyberattack against U.S. targets on American soil if it believes Washington’s response to its potential invasion of Ukraine threatens its long-term national security. Putin doesn’t play. It takes no stretch of the imagination to picture him ordering a full cyberattack crippling American infrastructure, commerce, and national security. The situation’s seriousness cannot be overstated. Russia, despite its denials, is plainly preparing for war.
OBSERVATION - This well could be recognized as an act of war by the US and escalate the situation greatly. Putin would see any significant military response to a Ukrainian invasion as an act of war, justifying his cyber attacks.
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China -

Epoch times reminds us that China has built extensive cities - cities that are completely empty. They report that they have the capacity to house New York City 27 times over. These cities were reported years ago, and with China’s current economic woes are looming like monster.
Corporations like Everclear are stuck paying back loans for these buildings, with no tenants. This is a snapshot as to the depth of the real estate bubble that is ready to burst. Some estimate that the real cost of these constructions are multiple times China’s GDP.
OBSERVATION - When the dam breaks, it will affect global investors as well as China.
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North Korea -

North Korea fired two cruise missiles on the morning of Jan. 25, a South Korean military official confirmed to NK News, adding that ROK-US intelligence is still analyzing the test.
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Russia -

INCREASED WARNING ONGOING - OSINT and other analysts are noting the continued build up of military assets that go far beyond those necessary for a military ‘exercise’. Putin has seriously deployed for combat and can execute several options at any moment. Current indicators are that Russia is more inclined to launch a full scale attack against the Ukraine with the purpose of overthrowing the government.

Russia has deployed elements of 10 army groups and an army corps near Ukraine (probably 70+ BTGs). Of those, only 3 CAAs are permanently stationed to cover Russia’s south-western borders. The increase is therefore substantial in terms of size and capabilities, but also broad in terms of the territory covered.

Russian deployments indicate the capability to launch an offensive against Ukraine along 7 fronts: from the Union State of Russia and Belarus, from the Russian Federation, from Russian-occupied Donbas, from the Sea of Azov, from Russian-occupied Crimea, from the Black Sea, from Russian-occupied Moldova.

********

Russian troops of Southern Military District and Western Military District launched combat readiness check, to last until 29th January. Southern Military district, which borders Ukraine, has more than 6,000 troops.

Increasing numbers of Russian river crossing units moving into the theater. Many designed for major river crossings, which means the Dnepier River may not be a stopping point for Russia - as in a partial invasion.

3 Russian assault ships of the Baltic Fleet (Minsk, Kaliningrad and Korolev) expected to transit Strait of Gibraltar today - most likely heading for Black Sea. The group is being shadowed by destroyer from USS Roosevelt group

US still expects to send its written response to Russia re NATO/Ukraine this week, will include response to Russia’s proposals and also other issues the US is hoping can be grounds for agreement w/ Russia.
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Ukraine -

WEATHER FORECAST - Temperatures forecast to be around freezing and snow for most of the next two weeks. This will thaw out some of soils and inhibit some armored movement. But at this stage, thawing will be limited and not a show stopper.

Security Service of Ukraine neutralized a criminal group that was preparing a series of attacks. A large-scale operation took place in Zhytomyr and Kharkiv. The criminals were coordinated by representatives of the Russian special services.

The UK is “becoming aware of a significant number of individuals that are assessed to be associated with Russian military advance-force operations and currently located in Ukraine” - update from deputy defence minister Heappey

Briefing after meeting of National Security Council of Ukraine. Members of NSDC speaking on their topics, in short: no imminent threat of attack, in case of attack everything is ready. No issues with energy sector: enough coal, gas.
OBSERVATION - This is at odds with NATO assessments of an imminent invasion . This is likely to try to calm the fears of the country while NATO’s assessment is meant to rally the troops.

Canada follows US, Britain, Germany and Australia and orders families of diplomatic staff to leave Ukraine
Marine Corps official says that the service has deployed additional forces from its Marine Security Guard Security Augmentation Unit to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

The 3rd weapons shipment from United States to Ukraine is on the way to Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv from Dover AFB, Delaware

Pentagon Pres Sec Kirby announcing steps to ready multi-national NATO response force (NRF) of 40,000 troops “if it is activated...to defeat aggression, if necessary” against Russia.
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Belarus -

Belarusian Railway infrastructure has been hit by ransomware. It’s been reported servers, databases, and workstations have been impacted to delay deployment of Russian troops. The individual(s) is demanding the release of 50 political prisoners
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Syria -

British Special Forces are involved in the operation to retake Gweiran prison in NE Syria according to unconfirmed reports. US forces are reported to be involved as well. ISIS is still in control of pockets of the prison and using local civilians as hostages / human shields. The death toll from the Al-Sina’a prison incidents in Hasaka has risen to 166, including 114 from ISIS
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52 posted on 01/25/2022 8:18:46 AM PST by Godzilla (Never give up, never surrender . . . . . .)
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