Kherson Curfews
Switzerland remains neutral and dismantles equipment that could have helped Ukraine
Day 382 (12 March)
Russia plans to stage riots in Moldova to destabilise the country. The Shor party, a pro-Russian faction is said to be involved in the organisation of the planned riots.
In Zaporizhzia , two children were injured when an object they found detonated. It was reported to be a RKG-3 anti-tank grenade.
Pope Francis has said he is will visit Kyiv, but only if he can visit Moscow as well. It is both or neither. To be frank, I don’t think anyone believes he can make a difference and Putin isn’t going to bend over backwards to accommodate the Pope who is of no use to him when he is in the middle of a war. I guess the Pope thinks he can talk Putin into peace, but Putin doesn’t seek peace!
Zelenskyy has awarded Oleksandr Matsiyevskyi the title of ‘Hero of Ukraine’. He was the PoW who was shot in the head when he said ‘Glory to Ukraine’.
Switzerland has been displaying their neutrality and rather than supply Ukraine with some weapons they no longer need, they have chosen to dismantle 60 rapier air defence missile systems in order to dispose them.
NATO air exercises have been carried out over the Baltic States. A US B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber flew over the Gulf of Finland and near Russian territory. The aircraft was accompanied by Polish fighter jets, and can carry nuclear warheads and acts as a deterrent to Russia.
Day 383 (13 March)
The battle in Bakhmut intensifies with thousands of casualties and deaths. The Wagner group are still trying to break through the Ukrainian defences, but are holding on. Reports claim that the Americans are unhappy with the amount of ammunition being used in Bakhmut where some consider it not the best use of resources being made to Ukraine.
Austria is also displaying their neutrality and have refused to extradite Oleh Bakhmatyuk to Ukraine. He had been arrested on anti-corruption charges in absentia on 7 March 2023.
Reports claim that the International criminal Court will proceeds with two cases or war crimes carried out by Russia. Warrants will be issued according to a report, but as Russia doesn’t recognise the court and arrests can only be made with the aid of countries that recognise the court, it seems more of a symbolic action than one that can achieve any justice.
In Melitopol, the Wagner group are trying to recruit locals in the occupied region to fight for Russia. Reports claim at 200,000 rubles a month (($2,650) are being offered, but it’s not much use if you are dead within a few days.
Poland and the UK are planning to build an arms factory to help produce equipment for Ukraine and also to act as a hub for repairs. The factory would most likely be in Poland for logistical reasons.
Xi Jinping will meet Putin in Moscow next week to discuss further economic ties, and has announced he will speak to Zelenskyy afterwards. The conversation is likely to be online rather than in person.
In Kherson, a longer curfew has been announced due to intelligence claiming that there are subversive groups in the area that are looking to sabotage infrastructure. The curfew will be from 5pm-6.30 a.m from March 13-17th 2023. The east bank of Kherson is still occupied by the Russians which would make such an attack more than feasible.
My best wishes and prayers for peace to His Holiness Pope Francis; I'm sure he means well but, like E-L, I don't believe his visit to either city will accomplish the peace he prays for because clearly Putin doesn't want peace. (I pray I am wrong.)