text: Good morning. Here’s your Early Warning for Tuesday, 22 February 2022.TODAY’S BRIEFING:Putin sending “peacekeepers” to UkraineCISA releases critical infrastructure warningCapitol fences return for Freedom ConvoyCongress punts on funding deadlineDOJ’s international crypto tracking teamHazards WarningDomestic SITREP: EUROPE NEARS CONFLICT, U.S. BRACES FOR DISRUPTIONSTactical Intel Course SummaryLIC Summary/ INTSUMSITUATIONAL AWARENESSPUTIN SENDING “PEACEKEEPERS” TO UKRAINE: Russian President Putin explained his case for sending “peacekeeping” forces to Ukraine during an hour long speech to the nation and his national security council. Putin officially recognized the independent status of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, including territory they do not control. Area observers believe this is Putin’s first step toward a broader war effort inside Ukraine. In response, the U.S. and Europeans announced targeted sanctions against Ukrainian and Russian oligarchs and political figures. (Analyst Comment: This situation is rapidly developing and remains fluid. So-called peacekeepers are likely to come in contact with Ukrainian military forces, increasing the likelihood of large-scale combat operations. The decision to recognize and “defend” the separatists aligns with Putin’s long-held goal to unite the former Soviet Republics either through force, or “diplomatic” means similar to Belarus’ Union State agreements. – D.M.)Putin addresses his national security council, the Russian people, and the world.CISA RELEASES CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WARNING: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a warning to critical infrastructure operators about overseas threats. CISA Director Easterly said, “We need to be prepared for the potential of foreign influence operations to negatively impact various aspects of our critical infrastructure with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine geopolitical tensions.” The notice warns infrastructure operators to harden their professional and personal communications networks as mis-, dis-, and malinformation (MDM) narratives will spread quickly in the current information environment. CISA recommends the operators take a proactive role in controlling information and answering questions from stakeholders using the TRUST model (AC: Beyond the increased risk of cyberattacks, personal and professional social and traditional media accounts risk being emulated or captured for distribution of MDM narratives, forgeries, and dissemination of otherwise uncredible information. Additional care should be taken on social media to avoid repeating the Kremlin’s talking points, which are purpose-built to delay and degrade responses to critical infrastructure intrusions and amplify or falsify the impact of an event. Russia effectively exploits U.S. based audiences through a wide range of military deception operations, known as “maskirovka.”