Belarusian Partisans Appear To Sabotage Russian Aircraft
The fight to hold Bakhmut continues with more deaths
There is war fatigue, and the allied countries are keen to show support for Ukraine with military aid packages, training for the donated Leopard 2 tanks, and the odd surprise visit to Kyiv to show solidarity. The question though, is this enough? The army is holding Bakhmut, but only just and they need more than what has been promised to actually push the Russians out.
NATO, has in the meantime stated that Ukraine will become part of NATO eventually, which may just push Putin over the edge, but will reassure Ukraine that they will have some defences eventually.
We then turn to the countries that support Russia, and China is still claiming they will not send lethal aid to Russia, but will continue to trade and enable them to finance the war. Belarus is divided, as partisans are believed to have blown up a number of Russian aircraft that were stationed in Belarus. While attacks have continued on Ukraine, it seems that Russia is regrouping and sourcing additional weapons and equipment. There are many brave people in Ukraine and Belarus that are doing what they can to hold the fort while the politicians and leaders of alliances hold their summits to discuss matters.
Even when Russia is ousted, we have the Special International Tribunal that will address the Russian war crimes of aggression that still has not been set up. How many more lives will be sacrificed in this war?
Day 369 (27 February)
The Saudi Foreign Minister visited Kyiv on 26 February pledging a $400 million aid package. $100 million is earmarked for humanitarian aid and $300 million for oil products. This is the first visit by the Saudi government since 1993 when the countries established diplomatic relations.
An analysis of the countries that have provide the most and least aid to Ukraine has been published. The US, Canada, UK, Poland and Lithuania are among the friendly states, while Belarus, China and Hungary are considered hostile. Hungary is a problem as it is a member of NATO and the EU, and Orban has not visited Kyiv, and the country has consistently vetoed sanctions against Russia, and vetoed aid packages to Ukraine. Neither NATO or the EU appear to have done anything to deal with Hungary who no longer share the principles of their charters.
On 26 February 2023, Russian A-50 aircraft were blown up in Belarus at the Machulishchi military airfield. It is believed to have been carried out by Belarusian partisans and the damaged planes have interfered with the Russian plans to attack Ukraine. Reports claim that the aircraft, reg RF-50608 was damaged and the radar and antenna were also damaged.
As a result of the incident, Belarus has increased security along the borders with Ukraine.
Wizz Air has decided to suspend flights over Moldovan airspace due to security risks from 14 March 2023. As more than one Russian missile has landed in Moldova, with no consequences, it appears that Russia may seek to carry out an operation in Moldova which is currently vulnerable with a change in government.
Fundraising by salt. More than 30,000 special packs of Artemsil salt has been sold to raise funds for drones for Ukraine. $381,000 has been raised to purchase kamikaze drones for use by the Ukrainian army. https://u24.gov.ua/news/artemsil
Janet Yellin, the US Secretary of the Treasury visited Kyiv and announced $1.25 billion in aid to Ukraine to help rebuild Ukraine.
Reports claim that the US, Germany and Poland are considering holding joint military exercises as a response to the Russian threat along the Polish borders.
Day 370 (28 February)
Bakhmut is still being fought, but Ukraine admits that there are losses and it is difficult. The Russians have been trying to occupy the region for 6 months, with the aid of the Wagner group. Ukraine needs more weapons to push the Russians back and they don’t have them or the manpower either. The allied countries are delivering the tanks bit by bit, and there are no signs of aircraft which would speed up the process of ousting the Russians.
Putin formally signs into law the suspension of the New START treaty, which is a nuclear arms agreement with the US.
Reports state that Russia has deployed further ships into the Black Sea. This is where most of the missile launches take place. As far as we know, there are currently 17 ships, 2 submarines, and 5 missile carriers.
Ukraine has had no choice but to target an ammunitions depot in occupied Kadiivka, in Luhansk. The depot was destroyed.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative has halted again, and Ukraine has called on the UN and Turkey to begin renegotiations. Neither party has apparently responded, and given that Russia has threatened to halt the agreement, and then has created obstacles with fake inspections, the chances of them agreeing to extend it is slim. The agreed hoping to get sanctions lifted, but that didn’t happen and Russia only does things when they benefit.
Stoltenberg for NATO spoke at a meeting in Helsinki, Finland and stated that Ukraine would become a part of NATO eventually.
NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a member of our alliance, but at the same time that is a long-term perspective. (Stoltenberg)
Finland has also begun to strengthen the security along the border it shares with Russia. The fence will be built near the Imatra border crossing in the south-east of Finland.
Taiwan will provide $65 million to Ukraine to help rebuild infrastructure, schools, and hospitals that have been damaged by the Russian attacks. Taiwan is officially part of China who have remained neutral so far, but have shown some support to Russia, but have not condemned Russia’s actions. This will come as an embarrassment to the Chinese authorities who will be seen to have no control over Taiwan.
Belgium have frozen Russian assets worth over $61 billion and blocked transactions worth $202 billion.
Japan also sanctions more Russian entities. Rosbank, and Kalashnikov are part of the 73 entities that have been sanctioned.
Zelenskyy has urged the allied countries to address their concerns over the aviation taboo. Analysts state that the reluctance of the allies to provide F-16s and long range ATACMS will hinder Ukraine’s ability to mount an effective counteroffensive, and delay the liberation of the occupied territories. What is means is that Ukraine can hold the Russians off, but can’t fight them to beat them without like for like weapons
.
Many thanks AGAIN to E - L!!! Please permit my husband and I, two old-timers, proud to see Canada high on the Ally Index of countries friendly to Ukraine. My husband is especially proud of his former homeland, Lithuania; he knows only to well how he as a child, and his family, suffered under Soviet oppression. It might not always make International news, but our Prime Minister Trudeau has been very vocal locally in his condemnation of Putin and provides us with news about Canada's contributions to the Ukrainian people in terms of military aid and support by taking in refugees from the war zone.