Putin Claims No Further Missile Attacks Will Be Made On Ukraine

Day 233/234 ~ The Starlink satellite access is under threat as Musk claims he can't afford to keep it running

Oct 15, 2022

Putin makes a statement that there will be no further attacks on Ukraine, as the aim was not to destroy Ukraine, Erdogan agrees to a Russian gas pipeline after meeting Putin in Kazakhstan, Elon Musk claims he can't afford to support the Starlink satellite system that Ukraine has depended upon since the beginning of the invasion, and the UN and NATO have made the usual statement condemning Russia's actions.

Meanwhile, the Kerch Bridge is being repaired and lorries are being ferried across to Ukraine, and orders from the Kremlin demand the repairs be completed by July 2023.

As we know, Putin words mean nothing and air raid sirens were heard across Ukraine last night as Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv in particular continue to be hit with missiles. We are at the point where the international community must decide how it chooses to react to the recent Russian retaliatory actions. They can keep providing aid and supplying weapons, but the ultimate goal is for Russia to leave Ukraine permanently and not just to give them time to regroup and to return as they have done.

I believe that they know the answer to this, yet they are reluctant to take such action. If we look at Kosovo, and how that war ended it was because Slobodan Milosevic’s troops were no match for NATO bombs in the former Yugoslavia. Putin knows that the united forces of NATO are a threat to Russia, and it would force China to formally choose a side. China doesn’t want to a war right now because they are busy fighting Covid-19 still and trying to boost the economy.

As for North Korea, having two mad despots with nuclear weapons ready to press the button is not good, but should Ukraine be wiped out of existence due to international fears? The Baltic states have said correctly that if Ukraine falls, then all the neighbouring countries will be vulnerable to attack as the international community will have enabled Russia to take Ukraine. People talk about avoiding World War three, but I believe we already are in the midst of a world war that has not extended outside of Ukraine as yet.

Day 233 (14 October)

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution declaring Russia as a terrorist state, states that Ukraine needs air defence systems and a special international tribunal to hold Russians accountable for the war crimes committed. These are both issues that Ukraine have been requesting since the beginning of the invasion.
Today is Defenders Day, in Ukraine, where all those who have defended Ukraine and who continue to do so are recognised nationally. It was declared a national holiday after the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014.
In occupied Kherson, the puppet government, installed by the Kremlin has asked Russia to evacuate civilians to Russia. This has been seen as a sign that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has been successful, but means that supplies in Kherson are low, and infrastructure has been damaged as Nova Kakhovka (near the Dnieper River, which has been used as a supply route) are cities that the Ukrainian troops are trying to liberate.
The claim is that Ukrainian forces have carried out rocket attacks, and Vladmir Saldo, the leader in Kherson has been urging people to visit Russia for ‘study and leisure’, and will provide people with free accommodation and whatever is necessary for them to remain in the Rostov region, where citizens will be taken to. Kherson is the only regional capital that Russia has managed to occupy. They claim that the citizens in Kherson are now Russian, and that Russia will not abandon its people.
France has sent gas Germany via a pipeline that is part of a deal to help with the energy crisis and to reduce the German dependency of gas from Russia. GRTgaz will deliver 31 GWh per day from Obergailbach, a village that border the countries. Macron is keen to state that the partnership is due to European solidarity, a push for his European political community club that met earlier in the month. Putin has stated that the gas taps could be turned on for Europe again, but that the ball is in the court. What that actually means is that Putin will reopen the gas pipelines as long as the EU lift sanctions against Russia, and basically after his demands.
Another prisoner swap has taken place, 20 for 20 and these include some Azov soldiers.
Ukraine has criticised the ICRC for failing to visit the Olenivka penal colony to check on the prisoners of war, or to investigate the attack on the prison that killed 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war who had been moved to the location that was attacked only a day beforehand. Ukraine has demanded that the Red Cross visit the prison within 3 days (by 16 October 2022) even if Russia objects, as previously Russia has stated that they would permit the Red Cross to visit the premises. No further details were ever given as to why the visit did not take place, and what obstacles or objections there were.
The Red Cross said that they had suspended their operations in Ukraine last week, but they still had failed to gain access to Olenivka back 29 July 2022, when Steven Seagal, an actor (Putin supporter) was able to visit and to take photos a week later. As an organisation that is supposed to be neutral and to represent prisoners of war, the Red Cross has failed to make any statements as to why they have not visited, or what the issues are surrounding permission to gain entry to the prison.
Zelenskyy has said in reference to the non-visit to the prison and site of attack:
“ The Red Cross has obligations primarily of a moral nature. The Red Cross can make it happen but you have to try to make it happen.”
One must question whether the Red Cross are doing enough, and if they have security concerns, then it indicates that the UN has little power if the Russians ignore the international protocols in place. He compared the visit to Zaporizhzhia by the IAEA, which although it did happen after 5 months, how successful has it been with two members of staff being kidnapped under their watch, and possibly tortured?
In response, the director general of the ICRC, Robert Mardini has said that talks with the Russians have been continuing in order to gain access to Olenivka.
We are negotiating every day to have full access to all prisoners of war. It is clearly an application of the parties to give ICRC access to all prisoners of war.
Russia accused Ukraine for targeting a residential building in Belgorod, which is a border city between countries. It is not the first time Belgorod has been attacked as it is used as a supply route for Russians into Ukraine, and can be considered a legitimate military target in that respect.
Putin met with Erdogan during a summit in Kazakhstan regarding a gas hub being built in Turkey, which was agreed by both parties. Despite Turkey condemning the Russian missile attacks, basically because the members of NATO and have to, it calls into question as to whether Turkey truly supports Ukraine or Russia? By agreeing to do business with Russia, thus financially enabling them to profit from energy, it counteracts any sanctions made against Russia.
Russia has complained about the grain blockade deal made a couple of months ago, and wishes to revisit and renegotiate terms, claiming that they want sanctions lifted against them exporting fertilisers and grain. However, the sanctions did not extend to fertilisers or grain, and it is up to other countries if they wish to purchase these commodities from Russia. India is one country that has purchased fertiliser from Russia, and that has not imposed sanctions against the country. The Russians again, or threatening to back out of the UN negotiated deal unless they get what they want, which is basically for all sanctions to be lifted against them.
Ukrainian Security services are investigating whether Antonov employees cooperated with Russians that led to the destruction of AN-225 Mriya, the world largest cargo aircraft. Antonov is the Ukrainian aircraft company that built the AN-225.
Spain has stated they will supply Ukraine with 4 Hawk Defence Systems. These are medium-range surface – two – missile systems that are American made MIM-23 Hawks, in response to the Ramstein 6 meeting requesting further support for Ukraine
Elon Musk has stated that SpaceX cannot continue to fund the Starlink service for Ukraine, asking that the Pentagon takes over the funding, which he claims would cost $120 million for the rest of the year. This announcement comes after Elon Musk was criticised worldwide for proposing a peace plan that would mean Ukraine would cede Crimea to Russia, and also to permit further referendums for occupied areas.
It seems to be very much a case that Elon Musk isn't getting what he wants, a dn no not thinks his plan is a good one, and so he is withdrawing the assistance he has provided. Ukraine has been grateful for the assistance of the Starlink system, but Ukrainians still pay for the service through volunteer donations and funding. As one of the richest men on the planet, if Musk truly wanted to help, then the cost isn’t an issue as it is more about profits it seems to him. He was once seen as a staunch supporter of democracy by helping Ukraine, no one knew it was conditional on Ukraine adopting his peace plan.
I believe that USAID had been helping to fund the cost of the satellite systems, essential for drones and for Ukrainian troops to be able to communicate and locate targets, so this has become political. Rather than Musk being seen as a humanitarian, he looks like a spoilt brat who will give help on his terms, and once criticised, will withdraw the offer. Does Musk realise how many lives will be lost? The Ukrainian government has suggested that a way to fund the satellites needs to be agreed if Musk withdraws, or to find alternative systems. Either way, Musk supporters have declined as people cancel Musk and his projects. In short, he’s a sore loser if people don’t like his ideas.
Belarus has claimed that they have to operate counterterrorism measures because of threats from neighbouring countries. Vladimir Makei gave an interview to Russian propaganda media to justify the receipt and troops entering Ukraine with Russian troops.
The Kremlin has ordered that the repairs to the bridge in Crimea must be completed by July 2023. The rail lines are open and the roads for light traffic but not for lorries which are essential for Russian supplies to be transported. There is a ferry service that takes lorries across, but there are queues for space that can last several days. The contractor, Nizhneangarsktransstroy is the sole contractor who is carrying out the repair works with the deadline of 1 July 2023. It must ‘design and restore the destroyed elements of the transport and engineering infrastructure of the Crimean Bridge’. Who is to say that there will not be further attacks on the bridge, although security has probably been increased?
Russian missile attacks continue in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv. The targets appear to be residential buildings and gas and water supply lines.
In liberated areas, booby traps continue to be found everywhere, including a beehive. In this instance, the bees had ben making honey and the pin failed to come out as it was stuck with honey.
Danone, is one of the few multinational companies that are still operating in Russia. The French company has said it plans to transfer control of the dairy and plant base business in Russia, but that is not the same as leaving Russia as other companies have done. What it means is that it is basically franchising the service out to a Russian provider. How will the French and international community see this other than a determination to still profit in Russia.
Another French company is under scrutiny, TotalEnergies is being accused of being complicit in war crimes for allegedly providing fuel for Russian planes that have attacked Ukraine. French and Ukrainian associations have lodged legal a complaint against the group.
Erdogan has met with Putin, and has backed the Russian plans to set up a gas hub in Turkey to supply Europe. That's the official line, however as Europe is looking to reduce their dependency on gas supplies from Russia, it looks as if it will only be used by Turkey and Hungary.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has seen an increase of Russian troops arriving at the plant, confirming that it is being used as a military base. This is because they know that the Ukrainian troops will not fire on the nuclear power plant for obvious reasons of danger. The IAEA has monitoring personnel there but they are only there to observe for safety reasons. This is why Russia will never agree to a safe zone around the area as it would mean all the Russian troops would have to leave the nuclear power plant, and it is the only safe place they have from the Ukrainians.
Putin made a speech in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, at a recent summit, stating that there was no need for any further missile strikes on Ukraine, as the aim is not to destroy Ukraine. He also stated that 22 after the 29 targets in Ukraine had been destroyed and the remaining seven are still being dealt with. He also stated that the partial mobilisation of 300,000 men would be met by the end of the month and it would not need to continue, and the Russian army had sufficient soldiers he claims.
There's no need for massive strikes. We now have other tasks.(Putin)
What is happening today is not pleasant, to put things mildly. But all the same we would have been in the same situation, only conditions would've been worse for us. So we're doing everything correctly and at the right time.
Of course these are just words that Putin wants to put out to the world and we also know that they are untrue, as Kyiv and other areas continued to be attacked by missiles. So, either Putin is lying, or his troops didn't get the order to stop the attacks. Putin also tries to justify the invasion and says he does not regret carrying out the invasion or special military operation as he calls it. He stands by his reasoning that he had no choice but to invade Ukraine to protect Russia from Nazism. The rest of the world, bar some African countries and autocratic countries disagree.
As for completing the mobilisation of additional men, reports states otherwise. Soldiers have either been killed, have chosen to surrender, or have fled Russia so they don't have to fight. While Putin states he did not intend to destroy Ukraine, the fact is that he has and has killed thousands of Ukrainians in the process. No one asked him to ’defend’ or ‘save’ Ukraine and he doesn't care about the people, all he wants is the land, and the energy sources available to profit from them.
The Wagner group, that uses prisoners as soldiers, has captured two villages in Donetsk. The use of the private mercenary group has seen the first Russian gains for several months.

Day 234 (15 October)

The Elon Musk SpaceX/Starlink issue continues. Starlink provides broadband Internet through network of satellites, but musk has stated that he is unwilling to fund the system indefinitely. He claims that it costs $20 million per month to maintain, but ever since the world except Russia criticised his proposals of a peace plan, Musk has showed reluctance to continue supporting Ukraine in lieu of profits.
Bakhmut is a city still that is still a Russian target. Most of the citizens have been evacuated and the only ones left are those who are elderly, yet volunteers still drive in and out of the city evacuating people. Those who remain have to live without running water or electricity, we have seen many images of those who choose to remain cooking on open fires, queueing for food, and fetching buckets of water to use. The Russian advance is being led by the Wagner Group, who are made up of prisoners and mercenaries. Unlike the Russian troops, they will not retreat because they won't get paid, plus prisoners have been told if they try to retreat they will be shot.
The Kramatorsk railway station that was attacked by a rocket and killed 60 people has now reopened. This means that people can return to the area to check on the houses, plus this will be used as a warming station which means that people can get firewood from the station, and also to stay warm in the coming winter months.
After Putin's claim that there will be no more massive attacks, Ukrainian press report that there are raid alerts over the entire country except for Crimea. An air raid siren indicates the threat of a missile attack. Either Putin is lying or his troops have ignored his command. I would venture it is the former as most Russian soldiers want to go home.
Overnight, Zaporizhzhia was attacked by Russian missiles again. This is made more dangerous as more troops use the power station as a base in a bid to take the capital city.
The US has provided another aid package worth $725 million it is the 23rd draw down since August 2021. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is looking at options to keep the Starlink satellites operational. Elon Musk has requested that the Pentagon take over the funding of the Starlink satellites due to cost. Ukraine has replied that they understand that a business has a right to decide how they wish to run things, but expect that the service will continue until it has been decided how the cost of the satellites will be funded, or an alternate system to take its place.