Wars always become political and countries have to choose a side even if they claim they are neutral. Switzerland remains neutral, but at the same time they have imposed sanctions against some Russians, but the Russians have been wooing the African and South American countries for years and now it is paying off.
Iran has been helping to supply Russia with drones, and India is considering buying cut price commodities from Russia. One can say that some countries aren’t taking this war seriously. The US has finally approved the transfer of F-16 jets to Ukraine, but delivery isn’t likely until 2024, and only after pilots have been trained.
Then we have the UN making more statements on Russian attacks, stating that they violate international law and the UN charter—not that these comments make any difference whatsoever. They do not stop Russia, nor do these statements save lives.
Many believe it is merely a waiting game until NATO officially becomes involved, because as it stands, Ukraine doesn’t have enough weapons or soldiers to defeat Russia, they only have enough to defend themselves and to hold them back. As a consequence, how can the war end if one side is being supported by the allies but only as far as permitting them to defend themselves. Eventually, Ukraine will have to take an offensive approach, but even western analysts have said the counteroffensive is slow and is unlikely to make a significant difference to the battlegrounds at the end of the year.
Therefore, Ukraine is able to defend itself, but is not in a position to force Russian troops to retreat and to to leave Ukraine, and that is what is needed in order for Ukraine to join the EU and NATO and for the war to end. Until that happens, this war is stagnant as weapons arrive bit by bit, allowing Russia to regroup and for the Wagner group to use Belarus as a means to cross into other European countries.
Day 540 (17 August)
Ukraine and Romania agree to open a new border crossing in Zaporizhzhia. As Romania is a NATO and EU member, this would enable easier trade and export links, plus allow access to Ukraine for NATO if necessary into occupied areas of Ukraine.
India is negotiating cheap and discounted wheat (possibly stolen from Ukraine) with Russia in a bid to drive down prices before the 2024 elections. India has been supporting Russia by failing to impose sanctions against the country and to buy commodities cheaply.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania issue a joint statement of support for Ukraine. The statement states that NATO membership is the only guarantee to prevent such an attacks again, and the countries will support Ukraine in joining NATO as soon as possible. They also offer support for EU membership, and join the G7 Declaration of Support offering security guarantees.
The kangaroo court in Mariupol has sentenced 3 Ukrainians (2 Azov) to 24 years in prison and 21 years for the territorial defence fighter for alleged terrorism.
Lithuania has decided to close two border crossings (temporarily) with Belarus in light of the Wagner group threat. Shumskas and Tveriachus borders will close from 18 August 2023 until further notice.
‘Project Boat’ is the codename for the factory that Iran is helping Russia to build that will manufacture kamikaze drones. The Washington Post acquired documents to prove that Iran is assisting Russia in attacking Ukraine.
A plant will also be set up in Tatarstan to build 6000 improved drones by 2025 according to leaked document. Most if us hope the war will be over well before 2025, but even the building of them poses a threat to the security of the region,
INERFLEX is the training operation assigned to Ukrainian soldiers that are being trained in the UK by the coalition of allies in strategic military training exercises.
The battle in Bakhmut continues and 2 Russian Ka-52 helicopters were shot down by Ukraine near Robotyne and one near Bakhmut itself.
The SBU arrest more people in suspicion of collaborating with Russia. The latest was in Kyiv, where a resident was providing information on the energy infrastructure and military units in Kyiv.
Day 541 (18 August)
Lukashenko of Belarus has admitted that Russia invaded Ukraine from Belarus under the guise of military exercises in February 2022. He states that no Belarusians were involved, and that some Russians entered Ukraine after completing military drills in Belarus. Basically, he opened a door for them to enter under false pretences…
In Luhansk, the Russians are planning to force all teenagers 14-18 years of age to have Russian passports by 1 October 2023. Sham elections are due in September in the occupied regions across Ukraine.
Turkish companies, despite Turkey being a party to the Black Sea grain initiative have been assisting Russian in evading sanctions and has become a hub for ghost ships. The Beks Ship Management company operates old oil tankers which appear to help Russia ship out its oil supplies (sanctioned) to avoid sanctions.
Russian has moved some of its ships in the Black Sea after some had been hit by sea drones.
Putin will not attend the UN General Assembly in September. That comes as no surprise as he has a warrant out for his arrest and could be detained in transit, and the fact that there are so many sanctions imposed against him, travel would be difficult as well as the potential assassination attempts that one would expect.
Russia sanctions more politicians and journalists from the UK, and bans them from entering Russia.
This was due to the aggressive implementation by London of a hostile anti-Russian course. (Russian foreign ministry)
Day 542 (19 August)
Zelenskyy (and First Lady) visits Sweden to sign an agreement to start joint production on CV90 armoured vehicles.
Russia launched missiles on a Chernihiv town square and theatre. At least 7 people have died and more than 100 have been injured. Apparently there was a drone exhibition or a meeting of drone manufacturers there which may have made it a military target. However, as Ukraine is not attacking Russia, there is no legitimate military targets that Russia can make claim to.
Poland has uncovered a scheme to prevent weapons transferred to Poland being shipped to Ukraine. Several Ukrainians were hired by Russian spies to disrupt the delivery of weapons from the allies, and it is considered a threat to NATO as most of the weapons are from NATO countries.
The UN response as usual does little but repeat their disapproval yet do nothing and permit Russia to remain as a permanent member of the UN Security Council instead of seeking ways to remove them.
I am extremely disturbed by the news of yet another Russian strike that hit shortly ago the heart of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, leaving dozens of civilians killed and injured, including children. It is heinous to attack the main square of a large city in the morning, while people are out walking, some going to church to celebrate a religious day for many Ukrainians. Attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. It must stop (Denise Brown, current head of the UN in Ukraine).
Day 543 (20 August)
Ukraine will use SkyKnight 2 drones that use AI and automatic flight mode which can reach their targets and cannot get jammed by electronic means.
Switzerland will not recognise passports issued in occupied regions of Ukraine and Georgia, and will not be valid for travel through the Schengen borders and will not be eligible for visas. This follows the protocols of the EU, and as a neutral country it is stating that the Russian passports to be issued in occupied areas of Ukraine are invalid and are illegal.
Zelenskyy has signed in a new law to bring the Ukrainian courts in line with the EU (how the judges are appointed and how the courts are run) which will open up EU ascension talks.
Further evidence that China has been assisting Russia has been reported, where documents revealed dual purpose goods have been shipped to Russia, and the exports have increased since the war. Also, China has used third party countries to avoid detection and sanctions and include missile navigation systems according to reports. The fact is we all know China is frugal with facts, but with proof it will make it difficult for China to deny, as many know they silently support Russia voting for them in UN Security Council resolutions.
It's no wonder the Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania support Ukraine's membership in both EU and NATO, having long suffered under Soviet Russia's oppression.