Russia 'Warns' Lithuania Over Kaliningrad Blockade
US Attorney General makes an unannounced visit to discuss Russian war crimes
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is now in the fourth month as the battle for Severodonetsk continues. Ukrainians in occupied areas are being advised to leave as soon as possible as the government cannot protect them against the Russians for now. That means some will have to leave their homes and possibly lose them, or risk staying and being detained or deported by the Russians. No one wants to have to make that choice, but it is a case of life or death for some.
Russia has effectively threatened to take action if the Lithuanian rail corridor remains closed to Kaliningrad as the sanctions began on Saturday (18 June). Kaliningrad relies on the railway for goods and equipment, and previously certain items were still allowed under the EU sanctions. The EU has now expanded those sanctions so that no raw materials or metals can be transported into Kaliningrad. However, Lithuania and Poland have the right to close their borders as they are sovereign states and both are NATO members, abiding by EU regulations. Lithuania was a former Soviet state that Russia has an eye on, in that it wishes to reclaim it as a Soviet state.
The dispute over the rail corridor might lead to an escalation of war in the Baltic region, and Lithuania is merely following the EU guidelines. This is a case of sanctions actually working and having an effect on Russia. Everyone is watching to see what Russia means by them ‘taking action’, and hopefully NATO troops are prepared.
Day 118 (21 June)
The American fighters captured by the Russians may face the death sentence like the British soldiers along with a captured Moroccan soldier.
Russia has stated they will take retaliatory action over the closed rail corridor between Lithuania and Kaliningrad. Russian claims that it has a right to protect the interests of the Russian enclave.
This is an important base for the Russian army, and those in Kaliningrad are being urged not to panic buy, and imports will have to come by ship.
Ukraine is urging those in the occupied region of Kherson to to ‘deoccupy’ as soon as possible, and if they must go through Crimea as the only option, it will not be considered an offence. Ukraine doesn’t have the weapons to retake Kherson at this present time, and all efforts are in the Donbas region where there is heavy fighting.
Dmitry Muratov, the editor of Novaya Gazeta has sold his Nobel Peace Prize medal for $103.5 million. He was awarded it for his efforts to safeguard freedom of expression in Russia. The money will go to UNICEF to help Ukrainian refugees.
The Prime Minister (Xavier Bettel) of Luxembourg has visited Kyiv and to show their support for Ukraine.
Ben Stiller (actor) has been in Ukraine helping and supporting refugees for the UNHCR. He met with Zelenskyy last night to discuss the issue and to show his support, while highlighting the plight of the displaced Ukrainians across the world.
Taiwan has shown its support for Ukraine by pledging $500,000 to rebuild Bucha, and has reiterated that it will support Ukraine until the war is over. This is significant as Taiwan is part of China although it governs itself. This public support, if under Chinese rule would not have been approved, so technically, Taiwan is making China look ‘bad’ because China have not openly stated they support Russia, but they have done so by voting against UN resolutions to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. Taiwan is wary of China wanting to take control of the government, especially as China has just passed legislation that allows military force outside of a war—technically, it legitimises the use of the army for what the Russians call a ‘special military operation’. Hence, this is the consequence of the international community failing to act in response to the Russians invading Ukraine.
A former mayor in the Donbas may face 5 years in prison for publicly supporting the Russian occupation on 25 February 2022. Leonid Chernovetskyi is accused of treason and aiding the Russians in occupying the region.
Ukraine has stated that humanitarian corridors have failed because Russia has violated the agreements. 165 out of 350 have been successful, and only after several attempts. The Mariupol humanitarian corridors took weeks, and some when opened, the Russian opened fire making them unsafe.
Those who have been evacuated from Mariupol have found themselves in Russia, and managed to escape to Estonia. Many have told their tales of being interrogated, strip searched, where some were detained without reason. The Russians are searching for those in the military or who have connections to people in the Ukrainian government or military, and any who have evidence that they support a free Ukraine are deemed Nazis.
Belarus have 7 battalions posted at the Ukrainian border. This does not bode well if Belarus cross over the border and assist Russia as that would mean that a third party has joined the conflict, and is officially there as a Russian ally. That is how wars expand, and means that Ukraine can justify allowing a third party to be an ally to counter the attack.
Zelenskyy has spoken to Orban of Hungary, and invited him to visit Ukraine. Hungary has however supported Ukraine to have EU candidate status despite not supporting the country in other ways, such as donating weapons or allowing them to be transported through the country. Hungary needs EU funding which has been withheld for corruption, and the country needs to get back in the good books of the EU. Opposing EU status would have done them no favours as many do not believe that Hungary should be a member.
Zelenskyy has also spoken to the Prime Minister of Portugal (Antonio Costa) who also supports Ukraine’s EU candidate status.
The US Attorney General, Merrick Garland has made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to discuss how to assist with investigating and prosecuting the alleged war crimes carried out by the Russians. He met with the Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, as they seek ways to identify the Russians responsible for the war crimes.
Germany has finally delivered 2000 self-propelled Panzerhaubitze howitzers. Better late than never, but Ukraine needed them 4 months ago.
E-L - Please delete this comment if you find it not appropriate.
My husband was born in Lithuania 92 years ago. While he likes to keep up-to-date with current news, as his care giver at home following three months hospitalization last year for heart and kidney failure, I try to monitor the particularly horrific news concerning the Ukrainian war so as not to upset him by recalling his own World War 2 dreadful experiences as a child. I have shared with him the recent news of his former homeland's efforts on behalf of Ukraine however. Please accept again my thanks for your day-to-day reporting.
Well done, Lithuania! Implementing a rail blockade, abiding with EU sanctions, and standing their ground will actually impact Russians. It seems the former USSR Baltic states have really stepped up in support of Ukraine.
Totally agree with your comment that "hopefully NATO troops are prepared". NATO should have been prepared BEFORE February—now they’ve had four months to read the handwriting on the wall!