Russian invasion of Ukraine can happen anytime now: White House
Washington(PTI): A Russian invasion of Ukraine can happen anytime now, the White House said Wednesday as President Joe Biden announced plans to dispatch Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Tony Blinken to attend the Munich conference to meet world leaders and unite them against Moscow.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki anticipated that an attack could take place at any time.
"We are in the window where we believe an attack could come at any time, and that would be preceded by a fabricated pretext that the Russians use as an excuse to launch an invasion," Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.
"We have talked about this a bit here, we've seen these tactics used in the past. Those could include but not be limited to the report you just referenced, claims of provocation in Donbass, false state media reports, which I think you should all, everybody should keep their eyes open and be aware of potentially fake videos and accusations about chemical weapons or accounts of attacks on Russian soldiers that have not actually occurred," she said.
In response to a question, Psaki told the reporters that there could be a range of false flags and pretexts that would proceed to an invasion. "And again, we remain in that window."
Both Harris and Blinken are now flying to Germany to attend the Munich security conference from February 18 to 20.
"She will build on the President's and the national security team's intensive engagement with European allies and partners and continue to emphasize with our partners our ironclad commitment to our NATO allies, underscore our commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reaffirm our shared interest in upholding the principles that have underpinned European peace and security," Psaki said.
"She'll be participating in the formal programme of the conference as well as engaging with allies and partners and meeting with leaders on the margins," the press secretary said.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied it has plans to attack Ukraine but demanded that NATO never admit Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations as members and the military alliance roll back troop deployments in former Soviet bloc nations.
"What the President expects, he expects and knows, given she is the first in the room and the last in the room, that she will continue to convey to the rest of the world, again, our ironclad commitment to our NATO allies, our commitment to defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and our commitment to putting in place severe economic consequences should Russia invade, she said.
Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Blinken said the Russian troops remain massed in a very threatening way at the border. Of course, the door continues to be open to diplomacy, Psaki said.
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Man from Rajasthan arrested for duping devotees visiting Kollur Temple using fake website
Kollur: A 21-year-old youngster from Tijari district of Rajasthan was arrested by Kollur Police on Friday, December 19, under allegation of having duped devotees by creating a fake website in the name of the Kollur Shri Mookambika Temple.
The arrested, identified as Nasir Hussain, allegedly created a website similar to the official site of the temple, offering booking of rooms near the temple, taking money from the devotees to book the rooms and giving them fake receipts.
Kollur Police had registered a case on November 3, based on a complaint filed by the executive officer of the Kollur Shri Mookambika Temple.
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The case was registered under the Information Technology Act since the Kollur Temple is under the Muzrai Department and the investigation was carried out under the directions of Kundapur Deputy Superintendent HD Kulkarni. The police team, led by Byndoor Circle Inspector Shivakumar B and Kundapur Rural Circle Inspector Santhosh A Kaikini, comprised Kollur Sub-inspectors Vinay M Korlahalli and Bhimashankar Sinnoora as well as constables Nagendra of Kollur Police Station, Raghavendra Shetty and Krishna Devadiga of Gangolli Police Station.
The investigation team arrested Hussain on Friday, and confiscated the laptop used for the crime.
The arrested accused was produced in Byndoor court on Saturday and sent to judicial custody.
