Belarusian Troops Join Russian Troops at the Ukrainian Border
Elon Musk is shamed into continuing to fund Starlink
Overnight, Russian soldiers joined Belarusian troops as part of a joint military operation to allegedly protect the border between Belarus and Ukraine, due to claimed threats of attack from Ukraine. This has been expected since the beginning of the invasion and can only be seen as an escalation in the war by Russia. However, they are using Belarus to claim that they must defend themselves and that Russia is assisting them. The truth is, that Belarus has always aided Russia, and Russia needs additional troops so it was not expected that Belarus would some point allow the army to assist the Russian army.
Many consider the Belarusian troops to be cannon fodder. While Putin claims that Russia has enough soldiers from the partial mobilisation, the reality from videos and statements from Russians would say otherwise. Apparently men have been taken from the streets in Russia in order to join the army and fight. Many men had already fled Russia to neighbouring countries to avoid being drafted into the army. The Russians didn't want to give the men an opportunity to leave again it seems!
Elon Musk appears to have accepted that he must continue to fund the Starlink satellites that Ukraine depends on right now. Perhaps he did this because of the bad press he's getting? He also knows that if he pulls the satellites, then many thousands of Ukrainians may die and could he live with having that blood on his hands? In a recent tweet, he bemoaned that other companies were making money whilst his company would be losing money by funding the Starlink satellites. Clearly, philanthropy wasn't the prime objective, where are Ukrainians are defending the country with their lives.
Day 235 (16 October)
Images of Russian troops arriving in Belarus appeared overnight as the joint operation between Belarus and Russia begins. Effectively, this means a third-party has entered the war. The claim is that they are going to protect the border between Belarus and Ukraine, however, this is how the invasion began – When a military drill became reality. The danger is that these troops are in the north, and are much closer to Kyiv and Zelenskyy, who are prime Russian targets.
Belarus announced that 9,000 troops will form the Russia-Belarus joint military force. What they will do is yet to be seen, but surely the world must now impose sanctions against Belarus and not just specific individuals? Well we know that not all Belarusians support Russia, the leader, Lukashenko is in charge and it is what he chooses to do that represents the country.
Missile attacks continue in Kyiv where energy infrastructure has been targeted. Residents have been asked to limit the use of electricity in order to allow repairs to the grid. Ukrenergo, a grid operator has stated that missiles had caused damage to the infrastructure.
In Zaporizhzhia, more missiles have been fired by the Russians. Again, the targets were energy grids, as the Russians attempt to freeze the Ukrainians as winter approaches.
Germany has supplied Ukraine with 10 pontoon bridge machines, and 16 Bieber bridge layer tanks, in addition to 2000 howitzers and multiple rocket launchers.
Many have wondered why Russians have been banned from travelling in Europe and it is because of the threat of spying. In Norway, a Russian was caught flying to drones over Norwegian infrastructure, and when searched he had three passports in his possession — to Russian and one Israeli. This person was caught, how many weren't that could pose a threat to the security and safety of Europe?
The Ukrainian counteroffensive continues, where the army has attacked five Russian military command points, and a further seven groups of Russian troops, and three ammunition depots. The Russians are still advancing, so the Ukrainian forces have several tasks – To liberate occupied areas, and to prevent Russians from occupying other settlements. The recent Russian missile attacks seem to have woken up the rest of Europe at least, where the French or readily providing weapons, Germany has stepped up their offers of weapons, and other countries are sending air defence systems which they finally realise is essential in order for Ukraine to beat the Russians.
In Belgorod, a report claims that at a military training session, allegedly 11 people were killed and 15 were injured. The attackers were allegedly from a former Soviet State according to Russian media outlets.
Put in is to call a Security Council meeting in the next few days it was announced today. The previous meeting was held on 10th of October, after the Kerch Bridge in Crimea had suffered an explosion. After the meeting, Russian embarked on a series of missile attacks across Ukraine, so a Security Council meeting is not good news.
Iran is preparing to send Russia a shipment of short-range ballistic missiles capable of striking targets at distances of 300 to 700 km in. Many are now asking why the West will not provide Ukraine with ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System). Russia has escalated this war now by involving Belarus, and where Iran is now providing weapons to Russia. These are two countries that had supported Russia from the start of the invasion, and now they are becoming involved in the war. That means that NATO and other countries need to be on alert, and to be ready to act rather than to spend time issuing the same statements every other week on how they support Ukraine.
Frankly, I don't know what to think of Elon Musk's motives, but I am glad that his Company will continue to provide the service necessary for the Ukrainian government and people to be heard by the world. My heart goes out to Ukrainians who must be fed up hearing of how they are "supported" but continue to see their loved ones being killed and their country destroyed.