The war is now becoming a geopolitical issue as Finland joins NATO and extends the alliance’s border with Russia. Sweden has yet to join due to Turkey holding back as they wish to extradite alleged terrorists, but the action was swift since Finland announced its wish to join NATO and membership was rushed through. The Finnish Prime Minister who saw the process through, Sanna Marin lost the general election a couple of days ago, and we have another change in leadership in the allies countries since the Russians invaded Ukraine.
However, NATO is not keen on discussing Ukraine’s desire to join and instead are trying to defect the issue by providing more weapons and arms. What it does show is that it is possible to join an alliance quickly, and that it is political with some countries using their votes as leverage for what they want.
In Russia, a high profile pro-Kremlin blogger, Vladlen Tatarsky who held meetings in a cafe owned by the boss of the Wagner group was killed by a bomb. The Russians have called it a terrorist act and suspicion fell on Ukraine, and subversive groups that support Ukraine. Darya Trepova, has been accused of handing a statute to Tatarsky at the meeting which contained a bomb.
The Wagner group have also declared that they control Bakhmut, but this has not been confirmed as Ukraine state that they still control parts of Bakhmut.
Day 403 (2 April)
Melitopol is temporarily occupied by the Russians and the duel and ammunition storage facilities were hit by missiles (Ukraine), as the depot was providing ammunition to the army in the front line.
Armenia has now declared that they would not arrest Putin if he was in the country as per the ICC arrest warrant. They have decided that maintaining relations with Russia is more important that honouring an obligation. This announcement comes after the Kremlin had spoken to Armenia.
The International Olympic Committee has criticised the Ukrainian position, where they have declared that Ukrainian athletes would not participate in events where Russians and Belarusians were permitted to compete.
Ukraine has announced a 12 step plan to deoccupy Crimea. Oleksii Danilov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC).
An explosion in a cafe in St Petersburg killed a pro-Kremlin blogger who held meetings there for the Cyber Z Front discussion club. Vladlen Tatarsky was killed by a bomb that was hidden in a statue that was given to him as a gift by a female attendee. The cafe is owned by the Wagner group boss, who dismissed claims that Ukraine was behind the attack and suggested radicals were behind the incident. Footage of the explosion has been shared on social media, but some clips have been edited so it is unclear as to exactly what happened.
Russia has claimed that they are justified in replying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, saying that it is a response to the UK sending ammunition that contains depleted uranium.
Day 404 (3 April)
The Wagner group has claimed it has taken Bakhmut and has raised a Russian flag over the city hall. However, Ukrainian troops are still holding their position.
The former Secretary of State for the US (Mike Pompeo) visited Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy visited Yahidne in Chernihiv to mark a year of liberation.
Day 405 (4 April)
Zelenskyy is due to visit Poland on 5 April 2023, to meet the Ukrainains living in Poland.
Finland has signed the instrument of ascension and the 31st member of the NATO alliance. The country shares a long 832 mile border with Russia, and the move is the opposite of what Putin had been demanding (that NATO expansion should not spread east). This has strengthened the alliance and Finland is now protected against invasions under Article 5, where if they are attacked, then all members states are obliged to assist.
Lithuania has banned non-registered Russians from buying property due to security concerns. The ban will last until 2024 for now.
Reports claims that NATO are not considering Ukraine’s application to join the alliance and are instead trying to offer aid and more weapons. Even with countries offering security guarantees, we know that only NATO membership and Article 5 is the only security measure that would stop the Russians from invading Ukraine again.
Sources claim that some of the Chinese balloons that were seen over the US were able to obtain some information from US military bases.
Russia has stated that Belarus now has the Iskander-M missile systems and is capable of launching nuclear strikes. Why mention this other than a way th send threats to the West and Ukraine?
NATO is holding a 2 day meeting where they will discuss supporting Ukraine, how to replenish the weapons within the alliance, and how to transfer weapons to Ukraine.