We all know that Russia has been killing civilians and have targeted civilians too, yet the UN and the West have criticised the Russians but have done nothing more. News is scant on the war unless there is significant loss of life or if a threat is deemed within the borders of Europe. Hroza is a village near Kupiansk in Kharkiv and a cafe was targeted that was holding a wake after a funeral according to reports.
This war is being fought in part in the media, especially social media and it is unprecedented because we don’t know how it has affected or influenced people as it is happening in real time. Propaganda can sway people—Russians to support Putin and the war, and other countries to either support Russia or Ukraine.
On the surface, it looks like Ukraine is doing well in the media war, but are they? We should remember there are many countries who do not have a free press, and the citizens may have limited access to outside news and facts. They might see Zelenskyy requesting weapons, but as it stands, Ukraine cannot defeat Russia with what they currently have. No one wants to say it, but it is true. The Ukrainians keep asking for more, and that’s because they know that if they don’t, Russia can occupy more territories.
We should also take into consideration corruption and spies that have been planted around the world. Putin planned this war 30 years ago, and sleeper agents have been sent to all NATO countries over the years, and the Schengen free movement made it easier for spies to move around and settle in EU states without paperwork.
The bottom line is that Ukraine needs advanced weapons now, in order to save lives and while summits are necessary, action from them need to be put in place with the minimum amount of paperwork. Russia is counting on war fatigue and for the allies to slow down and halt their aid to Ukraine, so the news that Slovakia will stop aid is exactly what the Russians were waiting for. Poland has elections soon, and any change in government means aid to Ukraine may suffer.
Day 589 (5 Oct)
Russians attacked Hroza, a village near Kupiansk in Kharkiv where more than 50 people have been killed. A cafe that was holding a wake after a funeral had been targeted. The village is 18km from the frontline and is a hotspot. Reports state that 10% of the village died in the attack. Population was 330 people.
The funeral was for a Ukrainian soldier, Andriy Kozyr who was being reburied by his son. The son, Denys and his wife, Alina (and their daughter, Liza) died during the wake, and 4 people are still missing.
Putin spoke at the Valdai Discussion Club, that is a think tank based in Moscow. In Sochi, Putin gave his annual address and stated that Burevestnik intercontinental missiles had recently been tested and had been successful. This was a message to state that Russian has nuclear weapons and that they are testing them, as a warning other countries.
He also stated that the Russian economy was strong and stable, and that it was essential to ‘defend our traditions, our culture and our people.’ Thus, he is still promoting the war as Russia defending themselves from the Nazis in Ukraine. He also claimed that Ukraine started the war by supporting the West and by adopted democratic ideas, stating the special military operation is to halt this.
In Granada, Spain, European world leaders met for the European Political Community summit. Zelenskyy also attended and met with various leaders to discuss delivery of more weapons. German has agreed to further Patriot missiles, and Spain has offered six Hawk anti-aircraft missile launchers.
Ukraine has wisely suspended the lawsuit via the WTO on the grain dispute between Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.
Russia has admitted that it will not rebuild the cities it has illegally occupied and annexed such as Luhansk and Mariupol. Therefore, the destroyed buildings will not be rebuilt. Surely, those who remained and think that life under Russia rule will be okay can see that they were wrong, and only liberation from the Russians can lead to any kind of peaceful life. Those who have remained have been forced to join the Russian army, and to take Russian passports or to be denied access to medicines. Hardly an ‘okay’ way to live.
The IMF mission in Kyiv has returned to the city after leaving when the invasion began in 2022.
The US has given the Ukraine one. 1 million rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition that was seized from around Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The munition had been transferred to the US government in July 20 23, through the Department of Justice is civil forfeiture claims.
Both the US and EU are seeking legal means to transfer $300 billion of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine to help with reconstruction.
Day 590 (6 Oct)
The UN has sent a field team to investigate the Hroza attack where reports claim an Iskander ballistic missile had been used which are generally accurate, meaning that the village had been targeted. The UN can investigate, but that will not bring back the dead, and the entity has done little to prevent further deaths.
In Austria, the Russian ambassador has been summoned ‘because of the heinous rocket attack in the village of Hroza. Not sure what good that will do except to show the world that Austria disapproves of the actions of the Russians.
Russians launched an attack on Kharkiv, where 2 people have died and more than 20 people have been injured.
Slovakia has halted military aid to Ukraine in light of a change in government as it transitions. Zuzana Čaputová, the Slovak president has opposed sending aid, and has stated aid must be paused to respect the position of the new government. Obviously this is not good for Ukraine, and there will be speculation of Russian interference in the elections and corruption.