The US has run out of money to give to Ukraine so far, and this is what the Russians wanted and so they decided to carry out a mass strike across Ukraine. With the donated air defence systems they managed to take down most of the missiles and drones, but inevitably some got through and led to deaths and injuries.
We hear that Putin said to Xi Jinping that he expected the war to carry on for at least another 5 years, meaning that Russia has no plans for peace unless it gets to keep the occupied regions. That would simply mean that Russia would come back and try again just as it has done with Crimea.
I recently watched ‘The Courier’, a film based on true events of Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovsky, who helped avert the Cuban missile crisis—both sacrificing their lives to stop a nuclear war. While watching it I am mindful that there are probably similar people out there who are passing intelligence reports across channels to avoid Russia starting a world war. The key message was that Russia does lie, and that it seeks to restore the USSR to how it was. However, with the war in Ukraine it seems as if the world is already on the brink of a world war all in but name.
There is little hope that the war will end in 2024, and Ukraine is dependent on the US and the other allies for support, both financially and in terms of supplying military equipment. Russia and its allies know this, while the world plays nice with India and China who have been supporting Russia, but who have opted to impose sanctions against Iran for supplying weapons to Russia. Eventually, each country must choose a side and that’s when it becomes a world war.
With elections in the UK and the US in 2024, the war in Ukraine is dependent on the political outcomes of the major allies, and so in effect, this is a world war.
Day 671 (26 Dec)
In Feodosiya, Russian occupied Crimea, Russia confirmed their warship the Novocherkask was hit by Ukrainian missiles in the Black Sea around 2:30am. Later reports state that the warship was destroyed and three other vessels had also been damaged. The Russians have only admitted damage and no deaths, but satellite images show that at least one vessel was destroyed.
Ukraine confirmed that they carried out an air strike at the port. The ships in the port provided a logistical link between Crimea and Russia ferrying equipment and weapons.
Russia targeted a railway station at Kherson where people were waiting for trains to be evacuated. At least one person was killed and 26 were injured.
The Ukrainian commander in chief, Zaluzhnyi denied that he was seeking mobilisation of 400-500k men but in truth, how else is he going to get Ukrainian troops to replace the tired and dead soldiers? It’s apparent that there are insufficient trained military personnel fighting in Ukraine, with the allied countries training soldiers over the past year. How can Ukraine fight without a trained army?
Russia announced that they had taken control of Marinka in Donetsk. Ukraine denies this, but images show the town to be completely destroyed.
Russia has managed to import $174 million worth of hunting rifle scopes, which are now being used in the frontline of the war.
Day 672 (27 Dec)
Taiwan is implementing further sanctions against Belarus and Russia to prevent the export of dual purpose goods that could be used to make weapons in Russia.
In Mariupol, Russia is demolishing 16 houses and a shopping centre to remove all traces of war crimes. They hope by destroying evidence then it will be hard to prove any war crimes took place.
Vsevolod Kniaziev, the former head of the Supreme Court was found guilty of accepting gifts (renting an apartment in an upscale area of $26 a month) while he awaits a trial on the charges of bribery.
Ukraine has opened an embassy in Accra, Ghana to help with global peace and diplomacy in Africa. Embassies in rwanda, Mozambique and Botswana are being planned next.
Denis Pushilin, the self declared leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic has been sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity and collaboration with the occupiers.
Day 673 (28 Dec)
The last of the US funding has been delivered to Ukraine for now with a $250 million package being including ammunition, anti-tank, weapons and air defence systems.
With this in mind, Ukraine will have to prioritise spending which means salaries might not get paid as money will have to be spent on defence and producing ammunition.
The Ukrainian human rights ombudsman has confirmed that a video showing a Russian soldier, using a Ukrainian prisoner of war as a human shield is authentic. This violates the Geneva convention, but then again what action has been taken? The Russians know that this is wrong, but they simply don't care because no one is going to hold them to account.
In Russia, two poets have been imprisoned for publicly reading poems against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is considered anti-war poetry.
Business is booming in Kyrgyzstan, as it has been used by Russia as a third-party to buy pass sanctions. Thus, Kyrgyzstan has been receiving exported goods that are transferred directly to Russia and include components that can be used to produce weapons.
Video footage of three Ukrainian POWs being shot is being investigated, and Russia’s 76th Airborne Division is linked to the shootings. The incident took place in Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia and was filmed by a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone. The footage shows them being shot in cold blood.
The Commander-in Chief of the Dutch army has said that his country must be prepared to fight Russia if the war comes to the Netherlands. Some say it is scaremongering, but if you look back at WWII, that is what happened and with spies and covert operatives across Europe, no country can remain rely on NATO for protection.
Day 674 (29 Dec)
The largest attack on Ukraine by Russia took place, where Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro and Kharkiv were targeted. At least 39 people have been killed, with 158 drones and missiles being launched against Ukraine. Home, hospitals, and military infrastructure were all targeted. Around 120 settlements including cities were targeted by at least 160 missiles.
Ukraine with 30 other countries have called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to respond to the Russian aggression.
The UK responds by supplying 200 more air defence missiles for Ukraine to use, and urges other countries to follow suit. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-uk-bolsters-ukraines-air-defence-after-putins-latest-air-strikes
Poland reports that a Russian missile entered its airspace for 3 minutes (40km) from Ukraine before it then carried on back into Ukrainian airspace. The Russian charge d’affaires, Andrei Ordasz was summoned by the Polish Foreign Ministry over the incident. He has refused to provide an explanation unless Poland provide evidence that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace.
Reports claim that Ukrainian POWs are being forced to fight in the front line against their own country which contravenes the Geneva Convention. The last POW exchange was in August, and reports claim that Ukrainian families are being told (by Ukrainian POW) to protest against the Ukrainian government for holding up the exchanges. This, however appears to be Russian propaganda to make it look as if Ukraine doesn’t care and that it is their fault the exchanges have not taken place.
Day 675 (30 Dec)
Ukraine responded to the Russian attack by targeting Belgorod where Ukraine targeted Kremniy El, a large microelectronics plant in Bryansk. It has been targeted previously in September and produces components for missile systems and fighter jets, and is considered a legitimate military target.
Kherson was hit with 536 shells by the Russians leaving the city on fire.
The UN Security Council has criticised the Russian air attack on Ukraine. Strong words, but no action as the UN has no powers, and Russia doesn’t care what others think hence why Russia remaining as a permanent member of the Security Council is a joke and make the UN look foolish and lacks credibility.
Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei has opted not to join the BRICS alliance that is dominated and led by China, Russia, and India. The country was due to join on 1 January 2024.
Day 676 (31 Dec)
The Ukraine Facility is a new plan that will be submitted to the European Council. This will be to help Ukraine during recovery and be used as a pathway for ascension to the EU. Estimates of €50 billion will be allocated from 2024 to 2027 for the project.
Russia attacks Kharkiv again. The tactics appear to be to bombard the east and south before they move up to the west of Ukraine.
Amid all the continuing grim war news, I would like to thank E-L for the diligent reporting. I'd also like to wish E-L, and all who comment here, a Happy New Year. I hope and pray for a more joyful 2024 for the people of Ukraine even though they continue to suffer as they bury their dead as world leaders concern themselves with politics.