How the world is reacting to the Ukraine invasion

Plus, Canada's response to Ukraine and the rise and fall of Peter Sloly [The Star] First Up [By Jordan Tamblyn] By Jordan Tamblyn Good morning. Here’s the latest on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, how Canada is responding, and whether a former police chief was forced to fall on his sword during the“Siege of Ottawa.”  DON’T MISS Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images war in europe [The world reacts to Russia’s stunning invasion of Ukraine]( Experts are painting a grim picture of Ukraine’s prospects as Russian jets scramble and tanks roll over the border, Edward Keenan writes. On the first day of the attack, Russian forces reportedly killed 137 Ukrainians and injured 316. Ukrainian citizens are taking shelter as cities are bombed and airports taken over, while the United Nations estimates 100,000 people have already been displaced. A U.S. Defense Department official says it’s likely Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal is “decapitating the government” and installing his own regime. And while U.S. President Joe Biden expressed support for Ukrainians – and delivered a punishing new round of sanctions – he repeated his vow that U.S. troops would not join the fight. It seems likely that Kyiv could fall to Russian invaders in days, or even hours. [Here’s what we know](. - Explainer: Why is Russia invading Ukraine? [Here’s what you need to know](. - The Star’s take: If western countries, including Canada, don’t stand up to Putin, [they’ll deserve all the consequences that come later](. - Another angle: Allan Woods [describes the scene in Moscow]( where Russian police reportedly arrested some 1,700 protesters. Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld foreign policy [How Canada plans to help Ukrainians – and punish Putin]( Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a sweeping new round of economic penalties in response to Russia’s “horrific, unprovoked attack” on Ukraine, calling the invasion “the greatest threat to European stability” since the Second World War. Canada is targeting 31 key players in Putin’s regime, including his defence, finance and justice ministers, members of the Russian Security Council, and 27 banks and entities connected to Russia’s ruling elite. Canada also plans to cease all export permits for Russia and, along with the U.S., U.K. and the EU, seeks to halt Putin’s ability to borrow abroad. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy warned Wednesday that it deems Canada’s sanctions “illegitimate and illegal,” and vowed to retaliate. [Tonda MacCharles and Alex Ballingall have the story.]( - More: Trudeau promised that Canadians and permanent residents stranded in Ukraine will get help to arrange “safe passage for (them) and (their) families.” - Another angle: Thousands of Ukrainian-Canadians are reeling as news pours in from family members overseas. [The Star checked in with a few of them](. - On the home front: After [slamming Putin as a despot and a thug]( Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario will send Ukraine $300,000 for medical aid, food and shelter. - Go deeper: [Just how effective are Canada’s sanctions?]( Experts say there simply isn’t enough trade between the two countries to really hurt Russia’s economy. Canadian Press/Justin Tang convoy protests [The rise and fall of Peter Sloly, the Toronto police reformer taking the blame for the ‘Siege of Ottawa’]( On Feb 2, as the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests raged and trucks blocked the streets, then-Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly made a remark that sparked a firestorm of controversy: “The longer this goes on, the more I’m convinced there may not be a police solution to this demonstration.” With that, Sloly became the face of police inaction, ultimately leading to his resignation on Feb 15. Days later, policing proved to be the solution after all: Ottawa police, the OPP and the RCMP were able to clear the streets with the help of the never-before-used Emergencies Act. But that’s not the full story, writes Wendy Gilllis. It turns out, [Sloly’s sudden resignation has been as divisive as the man himself](. - More: Was Ottawa’s first Black police chief scapegoated for the police response to the convoy protests? Sloly, who was hired in 2019 and tasked with revitalising the force’s culture, “had been a marked man ever since he had stepped into the limelight,” according to former TPS board chair Alok Mukherjee. - Amira Elghawaby’s take: The fact that Peter Sloly is the only person to lose his job so far has further [shaken trust within Ottawa’s marginalized communities](. - Another angle: The so-called “working-class protest” hurt the working class the most. Now, [we’re all on the hook for billions in damages]( writes Armine Yalnizyan. WHAT ELSE Should Ontario consider [extending rent control]( to small businesses? [Price of new-construction homes dropped $60,000]( in January, new BILD report says. [Unions suggest introducing stab-proof vests]( and a national task force as violence against transit workers soars during COVID-19. Alex Ballingall joins This Matters as convoy protest ringleaders appear in court. Spoiler: [The bail hearings are getting weird](. [Will Drake step in and save Randy’s,]( Toronto’s most iconic Jamaican patty spot? Two recipe developers share their [favourite dishes for the whole family](. Doug Ford’s new highways need gravel from local quarries, but some residents are [less than thrilled about living next to open-pit mines](. A gunman was [found guilty of double murder]( the 2018 shooting of Toronto rapper Smoke Dawg. ICYMI Richard Lautens/The Star [Noticing more empty shelves in the snack aisle? The manufacturing spat between Frito-Lay’s and Loblaws is just the beginning, experts warn.]( CLOSE-UP Pierre Crom/Getty Images KYIV: Residents tried to flee the Ukraine capital on Thursday after Russian forces invaded the country. An estimated 100,000 people have been internally displaced as they head west and attempt to cross into bordering nations on foot. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_108401). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. 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