Peering through the fog of war

The fog of war is thickening and so is the infowar to dominate the information space.  Claims and counterclaims are rife. The Western side is readily available in the media, but the other side of the story is not. Here are some other versions. 

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish "strategic communications" (euphemism for propaganda) from factual reporting, and sometimes not so hard. In fact, given the history of disinformation it seems incredible that the same playbook still works on the gullible, of whom there are many.

There is also the complicated factor of framing. Everyone views reality in terms their own world view. World views is shaped by many subjective factors as well as media echo chambers. Thus, there are "alternative facts" that those who hold them believe to be correct based on their cognitive-affective bias and level of gullibility. There is also the factor of fact-checking. Many people don't have the time or interest to do so and many that do make the attempt don't know how.

Anyway, things are hotting up and the fog is war is increasing. (BTW, Blogger is messing with the links pretty heavily today, so you may have to use the URL provided below the clickable link.)

CaitlinJohnstone.com (innocent until proven guilty)
The Burden Of Proof Is Always On The Ones Making The Claim (Even If It’s About Russia)
Caitlin Johnstone

https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2022/02/19/the-burden-of-proof-is-always-on-the-ones-making-the-claim-even-if-its-about-russia/  

Economics as Classical Mechanics (things are getting real fast)
Scholz and genocide in Donbass. Germans are still Nazists
Ivan Kitov
http://mechonomic.blogspot.com/2022/02/scholz-and-genoicide-in-donbass-germans.html

The reason why EU security does not depend on the EU

http://mechonomic.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-reason-why-eu-security-does-not.html

Sputnik International (Russian state-sponsored media)
FSB Border Service in Russia's Rostov Confirms Two Shells Landed on Russian Territory
https://sputniknews.com/20220219/fsb-border-service-in-russias-rostov-confirms-two-shells-landed-on-russian-territory-1093180939.html

Ukrainian Intelligence Agent Involved in Car Bombing in Central Donetsk Detained – Media

https://sputniknews.com/20220219/ukrainian-intelligence-agent-involved-in-car-bombing-in-central-donetsk-detained--media-1093181576.html

Ukraine Implementing Minsk Accords & Ending Conflict 'Very Last' Thing US, UK Want, Ex-MEP Says
Interview with Nick Griffin, political analyst and former Member of the European Parliament
https://sputniknews.com/20220219/ukraine-implementing-minsk-accords--ending-conflict-very-last-thing-us-uk-want-ex-mep-says-1093176511.html

Refugees From DPR & LPR Arrive in Russia's Rostov Region
https://sputniknews.com/20220219/refugees-from-dpr--lpr-arrive-in-russias-rostov-region-1093176150.html

Kiev Seeks to Clear Donbass of Russian-Speaking People, DPR Says, Citing Intercepted Military Plan

https://sputniknews.com/20220219/kiev-seeks-to-clear-donbass-of-russian-speaking-people-dpr-says-citing-intercepted-military-plan-1093175499.html

Authorities in Lugansk Find Explosive Device Under Bridge Used by Evacuation Buses
https://sputniknews.com/20220219/donetsk-authorities-receive-anonymous-tip-about-mining-of-city-buildings-1093180236.html

Australia Accuses Chinese Guided-Missile Destroyer of Aiming Laser at Its Surveillance Aircraft
https://sputniknews.com/20220219/australia-accuses-chinese-guided-missile-destroyer-of-aiming-laser-at-its-surveillance-aircraft-1093171403.html

Putin Launches Exercises of Strategic Deterrence Forces With Ballistic Missile Tests - Video
https://sputniknews.com/20220219/putin-launches-exercises-of-strategic-deterrence-forces-with-ballistic-missile-tests-1093173938.html

TikTok Unblocks Account of RIA Novosti After Intervention of Media Watchdog
https://sputniknews.com/20220219/tiktok-unblocks-account-of-ria-novosti-after-intervention-of-media-watchdog-1093171714.html

EU, Allies to Sanction Russia's Energy & Tech Fields in Event of Ukraine Escalation - Von Der Leyen

https://sputniknews.com/20220219/eu-allies-to-sanction-russias-energy--tech-fields-in-event-of-ukraine-escalation---von-der-leyen-1093170763.html

Zero Hedge
Ukrainian Separatist Leaders Declare 'Full Military Mobilization'
Tyler Durden
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukrainian-separatist-leaders-declare-full-military-mobilization

Watch: Putin Warns West With Launch Of Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Missiles

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/watch-putin-warns-west-launch-nuclear-capable-hypersonic-missiles

TASS (Russian state media)
Ukrainian military fires 200 shells at Donetsk Republic over three hours
https://tass.com/world/1406417

Russian ambassador says accusations by US seek to play down Russian security proposals

https://tass.com/politics/1406349

Kiev keeps building up forces in Donbass, Lavrov tells France’s Le Drian
https://tass.com/politics/1406407

Twenty-six Russian regions are ready to host refugees from Donbass
https://tass.com/society/1406373

Shell explodes in Russia 1 km from border with Ukraine - source
https://tass.com/russia/1406341

Rostov Region [Russian] governor introduces state of emergency regime
https://tass.com/russia/1406339

Russia to protect its citizens in Donetsk, Lugansk if they are in danger - Duma speaker
https://tass.com/politics/1406317

Russian embassy rejects US allegations of Moscow’s involvement in Ukraine cyberattacks

https://tass.com/russia/1406315

The Vineyard of the Saker
Donbass war – quick update

http://thesaker.is/donbass-war-quick-update/

A quick message from the Russian Navy
The Saker

http://thesaker.is/a-quick-message-from-the-russian-navy/