Day 264 ~ Zelenskyy Visits Liberated Kherson
Russia claims that Kherson is still Russia and refuses to comment on the visit
Day 264 (14 November)
Zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to Kherson after being liberated for three days. He handed out awards to army personnel, greeted the crowds who were waving flags and cheering. They had been waiting for the army to liberate them from Russia and it is victory, but with it comes the stark reality of tragedy. There is evidence of at least 400 war crimes that have been committed, and no doubt that figure will increase. Also, the residents have been left with a city that the Russians destroyed, including their own homes.
Flags were hoisted, people sang the national anthem, and there was hope for Ukraine.
In his speech, Zelenskyy stated that the country is ready for peace, but peace on their terms. He thanked the allies for providing weapons, and stated that the HIMARS had made a difference in Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. He also stated that the Ukrainian army will not make any advances on Russian soil. Their remit is purely to defend Ukrainian territory.
…it is impossible to kill Ukraine. (Zelenskyy)
Russia is still claiming that Kherson is Russian, and has refused to comment on Zelenskyy’s visit. “We will leave this without comment. You know that this is territory of the Russian Federation.” (Peskov)
The SBU (Ukrainian Secret Service) detained a Russian soldier disguised in Kherson as a civilian. They released a video of him being questioned, and when they switched to Ukrainian and asked where he was from he didn’t understand the question. That’s why many view the Russian retreat with suspicion as the army would have left spies there, and it will be not be easy to round them up and to detain them, hence why access in and out of the area is restricted.
There are also reports of Russians who have fled Crimea, posing as Ukrainian refugees, and who are seeking state sponsored housing in countries such as Canada. Other countries should be wary that some could be deep cover spies gathering intelligence.
The UK is transferring $5.8 billion in aid to Ukraine, that will be used to help maintain the infrastructure of the country while it rebuilds the country.
The Ukrainian criteria for peace remains unchanged, and was reiterated in a statement in response to a Russian statement that it would not withdraw forces from Ukrainian territories. The Ukrainian requests are simple—Russian troops to leave Ukraine, restore territorial integrity (leave occupied areas in Donbas and Crimea), compensation for all the damage caused (billions), and guarantees that Russia will never invade Ukraine again or participate in acts of aggression against Ukraine.
179 settlements have been de-occupied in southern Ukraine in the past week, but as Russia is pushed out, residents are free but are left with mass destruction that they must rebuild. There is also the danger of the Russians returning or occupying other areas.
The EUMAM, the EU's military training mission for Ukrainian soldiers will begin a few weeks time in Poland. It is expected that 50,000 soldiers will take part in the training program.
Belarus has been receiving shipments of missiles for Russia. A Russian IL-76 aircraft arrived in Belarus and then left for Millerovo in Russia, just after a shipment of 20 missiles arrived.
The US has imposed sanctions against entities that assist Russia in obtaining weapons. According the Janet Yellen, 14 individuals and 28 entities that have been helping Russia to acquire materials and weapons would have sanctions imposed against them
The G20 Summit begins on 15 November, and many delegates have arrived in preparation. Lavrov will attend to represent Russia as Putin will not attend, perhaps on security grounds. The summit also allows for one-on-one meetings between countries, where China and US have discussed the dangers of a nuclear war.
A United Nations Special Resolution was passed today entitled ‘Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine’ (Draft Resolution A/ES-11/L.6. 94 voted for and 14 against, with 73 abstentions which is higher than other resolutions involving the war in Ukraine. While the resolution is passed, it isn’t legally binding but is a show of hands as to who supports Ukraine and who doesn’t. The idea is to have a special committee to oversee payments that Russia should make to Ukraine, and to catalogue all incidents and the costs. The probelm is, who is going to enforce it and what will Russia’s punishment be if they don’t pay?
Generous of the UK to transfer $5.8 billion to Ukraine to further help maintain the infrastructure during the necessary rebuilding of the country. Our Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau, in a speech in Bali, Indonesia today, pressured G20 leaders to further isolate Russia.