Russia Fires Missiles And Causes A Blackout In Eastern Ukraine

Day 200 ~ Some Russian soldiers choose to flee

The war has been going on for 200 days now if we exclude the war since 2014, for we must acknowledge that the war did start then, but the international community shrugged their shoulders and made a few statements and signed a few treaties.

While Ukraine has taken back more than 3,000 square miles of territory, it is not the time to celebrate or be complacent. There is news that the Russian troops have laid down their rifles and have fled the scene, but that does not mean that they will not return.

The recent attack that caused the blackout across southern and eastern Ukraine was intended to make the Ukrainian army and citizens suffer. The international community should remember this when they vote to either support Russia or not. They should remember that Ukraine could be them at any given moment.

This is also the 9/11, the anniversary of the Twin Towers tragedy in the US. It is a reminder that lives are sacrificed and lost in needless war.

Day 200 (11 September)

• Russia has fired missiles at the country’s second largest thermal power plant (CHPP-5) which knocked out all the electricity and caused a blackout across Kharkiv and eastern Ukraine. Firefighters struggled to put out the blaze caused by 12 missiles that cost $100 million at least.

  

  

  This has affected civilians and has endangered lives as hospitals can’t operate, and has left people without heating and light. The Ukrainian government have claimed that this is an act of terrorism and is a cowardly response for retreating from the battlefield. The blackout lasted several hours, and power has been restored to most of the areas now.

  

  

• The former head of the Security Service in Kharkiv has been detained. Roman Dudin was fired in May and is now being charged with treason.

  

• Greece has said that they cannot supply Ukraine with any surface-to-air missiles because it would weaken the country’s own defences. Is this a sign of war fatigue, and countries will remember such weakness and apathy when Greece wants help again. While the country needed billions in a bailout, they should remember that if they can help, they should help others just as the EU saved the country.

  

• There has been further talk about negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This comes after the Russian army has retreated a number of times due to the counteroffensive implemented by the Ukrainian army. The official line is that Russia will only talk to Ukraine if all the Kremlin's conditions were agreed. That isn't really a negotiation at all but Russia expecting Ukraine to agree to all their demands.

  

• Talk of reconstruction in Ukraine has been discussed several times already however, how can you rebuild when there is an active war. Talk of making Lviv Airport operational again has been discussed, but how safe is it? If it is said that this is only possible if the safety of the work is guaranteed by the UN. Somehow, as the UN has done very little and seems to have little power, how can they offer safety guarantees when they can't even organise evacuation corridors?

  

• This weekend was supposed to be the date of the sham referendums in the occupied areas. These have been postponed in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, but allegedly will still be held in Kherson.

  

• More than 20 settlements have been liberated in 24 hours by the Ukrainian army including Hoptivka, and Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv.

  

  Videos of residents rejoicing have been posted on social media, and it’s clear not all wish to be occupied by Russia.

  

• Reports state that Russia has launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea. These are in response to the Ukrainian explosions in Crimea and the counteroffensive manoeuvers recently carried out in the region.

  

• Macron has been calling Putin again, this time about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, asking him to withdraw weapons in the area as it poses a threat to the safety of the residents. This is based on that IAEA’s reports, but really? Does Macron truly believe that Putin will do something because he asked him to? I guess the man can but try, however, Putin has had six months to do this and hasn't so the French president ringing him and ask him to do it probably isn't going to make much of a difference at all.

Day 201 (12 September)

• There have been reports in Kherson of mass graves that might be the result of executions, similar to Bucha. Many people have disappeared and the fear is that they will be found in these mass graves. Investigations of alleged war crimes have begun in several villages.

• In Sumy, power has been restored yet there might still be disruptions to the supply after the Russian missiles attacked the power plant. Zelenskyy has called this an act of terrorism, targeting civilian infrastructure.

• Zelensky has reiterated that he will not negotiate with Russia if they only expect him to concede to the ultimatums. He's also stated that he is aware that some states wish to pursue a Minsk type of agreement, however, we know that Minsk failed the first time and the second time, and that is how this situation arose. Negotiations can only be successful when both parties abide by the agreements and are willing to accept the terms.

  

  

• The battle is being won through a mixture of foreign weapons being supplied and intelligence, and the Ukrainian resistance running operations. While this is good news, we must not forget how many lives have been sacrificed already and ones that are still in danger.

• Reports claim that Russian soldiers are trying to negotiate a surrender. If so, then how will Russia spin this as propaganda? Perhaps the soldiers value their lives more and are willing to risk any punishment from the Kremlin? The Russian claim they are regrouping, yet reports claim they left disgusted as locals, on stolen bikes or vehicles and abandoned their units as they were outnumbered by the Ukrainians 8-1.

  

• In Belgorod (on the border with Ukraine), the Logachevka border post has been shelled by the Ukrainians. This is to prevent the Russians from crossing the border into Ukraine.

  

• After the recent events over the weekend, the Kremlin says there is no hope for negotiations. At first it was thought Russia was open to talks as they would rather than to admit defeat and surrender.